Graduates of Calauan, Laguna pose for a group photo during the graduation ceremony of Usapang OA: Radyo Eskwela ukol sa IDOFS at the Cultural Center of Laguna in Sta. Cruz.
STA. CRUZ, Laguna – Emotions poured as graduates receive their Certificate of Training in the concluded School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program, "Usapang OA: Radyo Eskwela ukol sa IDOFS."
“This is the best opportunity to give our warmest thanks to all the professors and teachers for teaching us and supporting us. Thank you to the staff of the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A” shared Ms. Lualhati Debil, a “Natatanging Mag-aaral” awardee from San Pablo City.
The graduation ceremony is the most anticipated part of the program as learners from participating municipalities/cities gather to meet, share learning and experiences, and get to know their teachers and the implementing agency.
As one of ATI’s distance learning on a complete Package of Technology (POT), the program achieved its objective to disseminate information on diversified farming system on Organic Agriculture, and serve as a tool for agricultural extension. Learners were given a complete module from the programs of the province, and ATI Region IV-A, soil fertility management, up to the loan programs offered by DA-ACPC.
“Maganda ang SOA kasi nasa bahay lang tayo. Hindi na tayo mamamasahe at hindi na mapapagod sa biyahe” added Debil in her testimony during the graduation proper.
To complement the aired lessons, a demonstration contest on Organic Plant Supplement preparation was held before the ceremony. Three participants per LGU competed for the “Best Concoction Preparation” awards, demonstrating FFJ, FPJ, FAA and IMO production. The winning teams were judged based on completeness of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), accuracy of measurements, overall group dynamics and labelling of prepared Concoction/Plant Supplement.
Contestants from Calauan, Laguna bagged the 1st prize, Liliw, Laguna, came in at second place, while Majayjay and Nagcarlan was tied at 3rd place.
Adding color to the momentous event were intermission numbers of selected participants from Lusiana and Lumban, and the raffle prizes given away throughout the ceremony.
The program produced 563 graduates from the municipality/city of Calamba, Calauan, Cavinti, Liliw, Luisiana, Lumban, Magdalena, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Pila, San Pablo City, and Sta. Cruz. It was held on November 7, 2018 at the Cultural Center of Laguna, in this municipality.