LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- A total of seventy (70) Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Managers and Information Services Specialist (ISS) from Region IV-A participated in the three-day "Regional Updates on FITS Operations and Management" held at City of Springs Resort and Hotel, Los Baños, Laguna last April 4-6, 2018.

The activity was managed by the Information Services Section (ISS) of ATI IV-A headed by Dr. Rolando Maningas. In his message, Dr. Maningas congratulated the FITS in the region for their contribution on the success of the implementation of Techno Gabay Program (TGP). He also emphasized the importance of the region-wide updates and reorientation on the operations of FITS Center especially the newly established FITS Center to harmonize and standardize the operating procedures in all centers as ATI IV-A gears up to I.S.O 9001-2015.

The training focused on familiarization of the FITS Manager on E.O 801 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR); guidelines on FITS Operations; reporting documents and various forms; and FITS Information System (IS). It also highlighted the practices of selected MS farm, FITS Center, and Partner Agency operation.

FITS Center Manager Leo Tena of FITS Center Gen. Nakar, Quezon shared his appreciation to the training. “Dito ko naintindihan na ang FITS Center ay hindi [ibang trabaho] sa ating LGU. Ang FITS Center siya ang mag-haharmonize, mag-oorganize, and of course dito natin makikita ang interweaving ng mga program para ma maximize ang mga resources, maging systematic, at maorganize natin ang mga documentations,” he said. ATI IV-A Center Director Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico lauded the FITS Centers during the closing ceremony of the program for their commitment and hard work.

Today, ATI IV-A together with the Partner Agency in SUCs and the Office Provincial Agriculture (OPA) have established a total of fifty (50) FITS Center in the region.