BRGY. AMPAYON, Butuan City – The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 turned over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training tools to the Caraga State University (CSU) last July 30, 2020 in support to its Agri-Fishery Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) which is a one of a kind testing center in the region.

To name a few of AMTEC’s functions are: to test and evaluate agricultural and fisheries machinery under established standard specifications, test procedures, and performance indices; and train students, technicians and engineers on standards development and test and evaluation of agricultural and fisheries machinery.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) the role of ATI is to train qualified and selected members of farmers/fisherfolk associations or cooperatives, qualified out-of-school youth in the operation, repair and maintenance of agri-fishery machinery equipment. Moreover, it is mandated to formulate and implement a National Training Program for agricultural engineers and extension workers of LGUs to continuously upgrade their technical and management capabilities to effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities and to train farmers and fisherfolk on agricultural mechanization technologies and practices.

Previously, ATI-Caraga conducted training on Small Engine Servicing NC II and as an offshoot of that training, the regional training center gave PPE and other tools that took place on July 30 along with other equipment turned over by DA-RFO 13.

Among those present during the said turn over ceremony were: Abel James I. Monteagudo, DA-Caraga Regional Director; Samuel L. Calonzo, ATI Center Director; Engr. Matt Andrew Baquiano, ATI Acting Chief of Partnerships and Accreditation Services Section; Fil Victor A. Babanto, ATI Chief of the Information Services Section; Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, CSU President; and Dr. Rowena Varela, CSU Vice President for Research & Extension.