TABE’S PLACE, PALAO, ILIGAN CITY – “BIDA 4-H: Bringing Innovation and Development in Agriculture through the 4-H Clubs.” This is the theme for the 6th Regional 4-H Youth Camp that is happening today at Tabe’s Place, Palao, Iligan City. A total of 110 participants and guests from the four provinces of Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and the two independent cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro of Region 10 gathered here today for the said activity.

Greeting the delegations during the program was City Administrator Atty. Leo M. Zarragosa whos patriotism urge him to speak in straight Visayan dialect in his message. The ratio between carabao and farmers is 1:25, according to Atty. Zarragosa. That is, for every carabao, there are 25 farmers using it in the farms. Other farmers use only bolo, scythe and other small farm implements, that is why, he said, our farming is very slow, our people are hungry, and we only ask food from our neighbours.

In this year’s activities the participants compete on cacao-based product processing and labelling, where the contestants cook or produce something out of cacao fruit. A product that is gaining popularity among the farmers due to its high demand, not only locally but also internationally. Another contests are glass gardening (terrarium), painting, spoken poetry, video making with the theme, and quiz bee.

A very important event is the Candle Lighting Ceremony. It is a very solemn activity where, while holding a lighted candle, the 4-Hers will renew their commitment to the 4-H Club .

Each activity is a highlight. As a contribution to the betterment of the ecosystem, the participants will have a mangrove growing in Barangay Bayug Island, Iligan City, at the early dawn on April 30, 2019. This will be facilitated by the City’s chief of fishery division, Mr. Jay Denson N. Caytor.