Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo thanked the City Agriculturist Office of Butuan for the partnership in the implementation of the ATI programs during the launching activity over Hope Radio Philippines on July 8, 2020.
BUTUAN CITY – As radio remains to be a useful tool in reaching farmers on a large scale, the School on-the-Air (SOA) program on Urban Gardening was launched on July 8, 2020 over Hope Radio Philippines Butuan 93.5 FM. Aired from 5:30 to 6:30 in the morning, Wednesday.
The SOA program comprised with 270 enrollees coming from fifteen (15) participating barangays of the City.
Mr. Joel Rosales, Agricultural Technologist of Butuan City served as Anchorman during the airing of the sixteen (16) episodes of the SOA program which run for four months. That would be from July to October, 2020.
Moreover, the said launching activity was spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13, in partnership with the City Agriculture Office of Butuan.
It aims to intensify the promotion of urban gardening to ensure sustained food production and availability, food accessibility and affordability amidst the threats of COVID-19.
“The School-on-the-Air is an extension modality which is being used by ATI to inform or disseminate information and technology to stakeholders, especially to the farmers. It is being used because it has been proven to be an effective way of disseminating information.” ATI-RTC 13 Information Officer III Fil Victor A. Babanto said.
After four months, participants will be given training completion certificate and starter kits. ATI will also give awards and incentives to performing participants based on the result of their pre and post-tests.
On the other hand, Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo thanked the City Agriculturist Office of Butuan for the partnership in the implementation of the ATI programs.
“I think this program is very timely. We should produce our own food which shall be safe for our family members to consume. This effort will enable interactive learning and training for farmers, while limiting the risk of exposure to mass gatherings, and can serve as alternative to face-to-face training activities traditionally done prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Calonzo stated during the program.
Present during the launching were Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo, Mr. Fil Victor A. Babanto, Ms. Ressell Angelie S. Fetalsana, and Ms. Maria Den B. Parro, all from ATI-RTC 13. Personnel from the City Agriculture Office of Butuan also showed their presence during the activity headed by City Agriculturist Engr. Pierre Anthony D. Joven.