VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – One of the missions of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is to support 4H’ers especially the Out-of-School Youth in uplifting their way of living. Every year, ATI develops programs for 4H young farmers.

Late last year, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) through the efforts of its Rural-Based Organization Focal Person Betty Grace Kanlas implemented the Out of School Youth Field School on Integrated Farming System with Enterprise Development/Academic and Technology Integration and Values Education (AcTIVE) for 4H Young Farmers of Ilocos Sur. Participants of the said training program went through a lot in three months. Their sweat, hard work and perseverance paid off as they graduated with high hopes and new opportunities to consider this 2018.

ATI-RTC I Center Director, Dr. Rogelio Evangelista, together with the Provincial Governor of Ilocos Sur, Hon. Ryan Singson, awarded livelihood assistance to the 11 young farmer-graduates. Each of the 11 4H’ers received 20,000 Php during the awarding ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur last January 17, 2018. Among the graduates were five children of detainees from the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail. They shall use the support given by ATI-RTC I for their livelihood projects where they can apply the learning and skills they acquired from the training.

Also present during the ceremonial activity were Provincial Warden Raymond Tabios, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ferdinand Concepcion, Provincial Agriculturist Constante Botacion, Jr., 4H Club Provincial Coordinator Dante Gagto, P4MP Provincial Coordinator Teresito Batin, and the parents of the graduates.