The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) in Northern Mindanao is located in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental. ATI-RTC 10 with its dynamic management and staff continues to serve and deliver quality training programs to its customers and clienteles to promote and accelerate rural development by empowering farmers through appropriate training and extension activities.
ATI Compound, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental --- In commemorating its 34th founding anniversary as the training and extension arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) held a simultaneous celebration at the ATI Central Office in Quezon City and its 16 network of training centers sprawled all over the country.
The founding anniversary celebration, as spearheaded by ATI Central Office with simultaneous celebrations across the network of ATI training centers in the regions celebrated with this year's theme: “ATI @34 LEADS in Mobilizing & Empowering Partners & Communities Towards One DA”.
The LEADS (Learn, Exhibit, Advise, Disseminate, and Support) extension strategy is anchored on key Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) thematic programs, with ATI leading its delivery extension services to achieve the vision of a unified, competent, and committed AFE system for a productive, profitable, and resilient agri-fisheries sector.
For ATI-Regional Training Center (RTC) 10, the celebration transpired on January 28-29, 2020 at the ATI compound, in Poblacion, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental.
The first day kicked off with a Training on Flower Arrangement (Ikebana), sponsored and facilitated by Greenminds Incorporated. The whole day training was participated by the ATI management and staff as well as some of its Learning Site (LS) partners.
A “Looking Back and Moving Forward” / Flashback 2020 via video presentation produced by the Information Services Section and co-directed by Administrative Officer IV Efren C. Macario was shown on January 29 as Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez delivered what to expect for 2021.
In her talk points, Director Echavez underscored the center’s deliverables of quality training and extension services to produce competent Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), empower the farmers, engage the youth of today in agriculture, and establish more Learning Site partners in the region.
“For 2021, we set our sights on new initiatives in line with the 12 key strategies of the “One DA approach”. We will be one with the Department of Agriculture and the whole nation to act, as one. With the support of my colleagues and with good teamwork, dedication we have, with the support from our partners in both national and local government, and non-government organizations, with the active participation and positive response of our clients / beneficiaries, we are sure that together we win, we rise, we heal, and we move forward as one. We will continue to lead, to share knowledge, to inspire both our partners and our clients, and to extend services beyond boundaries. We will continue to work with DA-RFO 10 headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado and attached agencies, other NGAs, LGUs, SUCs, NGOs, as well as with our learning site partners. Uban sa pag-amping ug panalangin sa kahitas-an, padayon ta!” Director Echavez said in her speech.
As a prelude to the celebration, a free webinar series via ‘AgriTalk’ was organized to showcase the latest agricultural and farming technologies as well as provide an avenue for different individuals, and groups of agriculture experts and practitioners who share their success stories in various agricultural fields. Since its inception in 2017, AgriTalk intended to inspire other farmers, professionals, students and agri-enthusiasts.
Since experiencing the new normal, a webinar on staying healthy amidst the pandemic aptly titled “Our Body, Our Health, Our Priority” was scheduled with Dr. Mechelle Acero Palma, Founder of Culinary MD Asia, as the resource person. Dr. Palma discussed common diseases, their prevention and management, demonstrations on preparation of low cost, convenient, and health-promoting food and drinks. It was live streamed on January 29 at 10AM via ATI Northern Mindanao’s Facebook Page.
Another part of the program was the awarding of financial assistance to the Learning Site for Agriculture (LSAs) facilitated by Agriculturist II Cristine A. Galupo. The center’s various learning site partners’ financial assistance was based with proposals they have submitted for the improvement of their farm and their services.
To cap off the program, exemplary performers of the center for 2020 was awarded. The program proper was hosted by HRMO Designate Aden Jade B. Bonggo.
The Agricultural Training Institute marked its 34th founding anniversary since it was established after merging with the then Bureau of Agricultural Extension, the Philippine Agricultural Training Council and the Philippine Training Centers for Rural Development through the Executive Order no. 116.