BRGY. LOS ANGELES, Butuan City- The herbs and spices topic as the fifth episode wraps up the Season 2 of the ‘i-BIDA nATIn Program’, webinar on vegetable gardening. This online platform conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) 13 served as the refocused target in lieu of the face-to-face training as mandated by the Department of Agriculture.

Blezel Balmocena, a Registered Nurse from Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City delivered the topic well about herbs and spices during the webinar specifically its importance and benefits. “Aroma, flavor and condiment are the reasons behind herbs and spices,” said Balmocena in her lecture. She is also a certified Learning Site for Agriculture Cooperator of the ATI-RTC 13 with her dragon fruit farm.

Among the key points of her lecture are the cultural practices such as watering system, nutrients, pest and diseases management down to harvesting and packing. Health benefits of herbs and spices are anti-microbial which helps the body destroy microbes by affecting their growth and multiplication such as fennel, lavender oil, oregano, and mint oil.

Another benefits that we can get from herbs and spices are phytonutrients which are also found in vegetables, fruits, and beans that produces carotenoids and chlorophyll. Herbs and spices are also anti-inflammatory such as rosemary, sage, turmeric, ginger and garlic. This is also used as an anti-oxidant which help neutralize harmful free radicals to prevent the potential negative effects on health such as clove, oregano, turmeric, cinnamon and basil. It also acts as anti-coagulant which helps the body prevent clotting of the blood such as chamomile, garlic, ginger, and celery seeds.

The said episode was participated by more than one hundred online participants. In fact, there were six online learners who expressed their own experience live regarding the webinar. They were Susana B. Montilla, Teacher from Caraga State University (CSU), Maria Dolores S. Virtudazo, also a teacher from Surigao City, and Restituto E. Migullas II from Butuan City. Various participants also showed their word of thanks, they were Violeta C. Magalong, Gardener from Villa Kananga, Butuan City, Annette F. Anduyan, a government employee from Butuan City and Rodgessa A. Lopez who is also a teacher from Maa, Davao City.

In response, Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo thanked online learners for their continuous effort exerted throughout the season. “Now ends up our Season 2 which is webinar on vegetable gardening, hopefully we still meet again for the next webinar seasons under our ‘i-BIDA nATIn Program’ that will be produced by ATI-RTC 13 every now and then.” Calonzo stated.

The program ended enjoyably and amazingly with all the active and interested online learners on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:00 o’clock in the morning. Hosted by Ginalyn V. Arbutante, Information Officer II of the ATI-RTC 13.