ATI Compound, Quezon City---Recognizing the efforts and the impact they have contributed in terms of attaining food security and agricultural development in the countryside, a group of farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from Bukidnon were lauded during the recently concluded National Corn and Cassava Achievers Awards. The awarding ceremony was mounted to also recognize the Local Government Units (LGUs) with exceptional performance in the promotion and development of the corn and cassava sectors.

Usec. Ariel Cayanan led the awarding and giving of plaque of recognition as well as cash awards while Senator Cynthia A. Villar graced the ceremony as the guest/keynote speaker.

Region X, specially the Province of Bukidnon nabbed the most number of awards coming from all major award categories. The winners are as follows:

1. Outstanding Province: Provincial Agriculture Bukidnon

2. Outstanding Provincial Agriculturist: Alson Quimba

3. Outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator: Merlita Molina (Malaybalay)

4. Outstanding City Agriculturist: Remedios Sarzuelo

5. Outstanding City Coordinator: Myra Abejuela

6. Outstanding AEWs: Mariza Babao (Kitaotao), Materna Supromo (Libona), Neptali Ambos, Kristina Soria, Bernido Miasco (Lantapan), Dante Dalaguit, Teodorico Lucero, Madeline Sanucdalao (Kadingilan), Jorgen Soriano, Myrasul Bernales, Christine Ronquillo, Serina Nano (Malaybalay)

7. Outstanding Cassava Cluster (1st Place): Mantibugao ARB FC of Manolo Fortich

8. Cornucopia Awards Outstanding Farmers Organization (3rd Place): Sion Gintong Araw Agriculture Coop of Gingoog City

Meanwhile, The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office X (DA-RFO X) was one of the awardees as Outstanding Regional Corn Team and Outstanding Regional Cassava Team. (culled from the FB post of OIC-Center DIrector Maria Lydia A. Echavez)