BAAN, Butuan City – Dubbed as “Asenso sa Kakaw”, the School-on-the-Air on Cacao Production recognized 583 graduates during its graduation-on-air ceremony last October 7, 2021 which was heard over DXIM 93.5 FM Hope Radio Philippines Butuan at 5-6 o’clock in the morning.

Done in partnership with the Agusan del Sur Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office (PAVO), the said SOA was participated by the province’s 14 Local Government Units (LGUs). This aimed to strengthen the promotion of cacao production through the use of radio to reach a larger number of audience ranging from farmers, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), students, housewives, and other agri-enthusiasts’ individuals.

The following were the participating LGUs with their corresponding number of graduates and topnotchers: Sibagat – 25 graduates with Anna Liza C. Pacot as topnotcher, Bayugan City – 34 graduates with Vergenia D. Estrera as topnotcher, Prosperidad – 40 graduates and Vicenta F. Tecson as topnotcher, San Francisco – 40 graduates with Bonifacio Narca as topnotcher, Rosario – 40 graduates with Darwin M. Baliling as topnotcher, Bunawan – 40 graduates with Mary Jane R. Hallasgo as topnotcher, Trento – 40 graduates with Coleen C. Dela Cerna as topnotcher, Sta. Josefa – 34 graduates with Mayflor Supanghari as topnotcher, Veruela – 50 graduates with Mary Grace L. Anciado as topnotcher, Loreto – 40 graduates with Rugelyn Maban as topnotcher, La Paz – 80 graduates with Catalino Aguanza as topnotcher, Talacogon – 40 graduates with Rocelyn A. Palabrica as topnotcher, San Luis – 40 graduates with Rodolfo Ostos as topnotcher, and Esperanza – 40 graduates with Avelino S. Pedroso Jr. as topnotcher.

“We happily extend our thanks to our partner agencies who have helped us during the implementation of this program. To our municipal agriculturists, municipal SOA coordinators, to our provincial agriculturist and to the Department of Agriculture – Caraga Region headed by Director Abel James Monteagudo. We thank all of you especially to our participants who were very eager to wake up early in the morning,” said Samuel L. Calonzo, ATI-RTC XIII Center Director.

Moreover, in his message, Provincial Agriculturist Armando Valiente related the experience of his staff including the resource persons and coordinators who were the front liners during the implementation.

Farmcaster Joel B. Corvera was the anchorperson of the program. The resource persons were Maricar L. Prochina, Maylene E. Altimeraz, Jenelyn A. Areja, Nila S. Estrada, Lufe M. Escuyos, Neel Vincent Y. Supranes, and Brenda W. Lastimosa.

“Isipon gyud nako ni nga usa ka dakong prebilihiyo nga nakaapil ug nakakat-on sa mga bag-ong pamaagi sa pag-atiman ug cacao ug maghinaot ko nga unta ang atong panggamhanan padayon nga maghatag ug dugang kahibalo ug kaalam sa tanang farmer nga sama namo nga kulang sa kahibalo sa bag-ong teknolohiya (This is a great privilege for me that I am one of the graduates who learned new ways and techniques in cacao production. I hope that our government will continue helping us gain knowledge especially to us who lack knowledge on the new technologies),” said Ms. Vicenta Tecson from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.