"I am thankful for this SOA program of ATI and also to the resource persons from the Provincial Veterinary Office of Agusan del Sur. Through this program we were able to get updates on new technologies as additional learning and knowledge. I am willing to share what I learned on raising livestock specifically on chicken and goat raising," said Fe Sarabia, one of the graduates from Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.
REGION XIII Caraga – The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center XIII (ATI-Caraga) conducted three School-on-the-Air (SOA) programs in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte with a total of 1,624 graduates.
The SOA on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) was implemented in Surigao del Norte (both mainland and island areas) with 510 graduates. The commencement rite for the mainland participants was held last September 19, 2018 at the Provincial Convention Center. Meanwhile, for the convenience of the island participants, a separate graduation ceremony was held in the town of Dapa last September 24, 2018. It was graced by no less than Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas.
In Agusan del Norte and Butuan City, the SOA program was on cassava production. It was broadcast live via DXIM FM (Hope Radio) every Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:00 in the morning for 16 weeks starting May 2018. Ginalyn Arbutante, Information Officer II of ATI-Caraga and SOA Regional Coordinator, reported that the mass graduation in Agusan del Norte was held at the Municipal Gymnasium of Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) last September 25, 2018. It was attended by personnel from the Provincial Agriculture Office headed by Oscar Tuyor (SOA Coordinator), Miguelito Velasco, Cleto Cempron, Cesar Lomarda and Rodolfo Nalla. They also acted as resource persons during the airing of the SOA program. There were 539 farmers who completed the SOA program in the said province.
Finally, in Agusan del Sur, the SOA program produced 575 graduates. Like the one in Surigao del Norte, the SOA program was also on GAHP/Livestock Production. It was broadcast live in Pulse FM (DXSN) every Friday at 5:00 – 6:00 in the morning. The graduation ceremony was held at the Naliyagan covered court in Patin-ay, Prosperidad last September 26, 2018. It was witnessed by Dr. Joriz Elevazo (Provincial Veterinarian), Dr. Konnielou Berdin (resource person) and Minda Manliguez (resource person / Provincial SOA Coordinator). Winrock International partnered with ATI during the graduation rite. They sponsored some of the prizes that were given away to the awardees.
The SOA program is a distance-learning extension method used by ATI to reach out to clients in far flung areas via radio broadcast. Farmers wanting to learn about new technologies in agriculture need not travel and spend. They can maximize their precious time by listening to the discussions over the radio while doing their usual household activities. During the mass graduation in the three provinces, graduates did not only receive their certificate but other perks such as t-shirt and prizes like farm tools, mugs, umbrellas, radios, raincoats, grocery items, among others.