LOS ANGELES, Butuan City- The Information Services Section of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 hosted a video conference on April 23, 2020. This is to discuss matters arising on the proposed School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program in Surigao del Sur due to the threat of COVID 19 pandemic.

Personnel and staff from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of the said province joined in. Joiners are Fritzieh Trujillo, Provincial SOA Coordinator, Rena Prado, Provincial Rice Program Coordinator at the same time Chief of the Crops Division, and her staff.

Meanwhile, Trujillo informed the group that activities and other services using radio as communication medium are still on its way for the farmers. As an anchorman of their weekly program, he continued delivering information support and services to the farmers and fishers in the locality.

During the meeting, the group agreed on some points to finalize the SOA program. It will be aired tentatively in June 2020. Masterlist of the SOA enrollees will be presented to ATI in that same month for validation along with the possible preparation before the airing of the program. Target enrollees was narrowed down to 300 from the agreed 600 individuals due to the threat of the COVID 19.

Moreover, successful graduates will be given with starter kits such as rice seeds, fertilizers and other related farm supplies and materials as extension support from the institute.

The meeting via zoom was hosted by ISS Chief Fil Victor A. Babanto with Ginalyn V. Arbutante as Point Person of the SOA Program on Rice Production.

ATI-Caraga ensures citizen-customers that usual support and quality extension services offered will be maintained in spite of the health threat that our country is facing.