PAGBILAO, Quezon – Pursuant to Republic Act 10068 enacted as “Organic Act of the Philippines of 2010” to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of Organic Agriculture (OA) in the country, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CaLaBaRZon partners with Department of Education (DepEd) for OA Integration for K-12 Tracks. “ATI is really expanding on partnerships. We are partnering with DepEd na isa ring magandang opportunity at channel for the delivery of extension services. Kaya may bago uli kaming engagement sa DepEd,” delivered by Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, Information Services Section Chief of ATI CaLaBaRZon. Some 23 agricultural teachers, education program supervisor, department heads and principals from DepEd’s division of Quezon, Lucena City and Tayabas City participated in the activity.

The three-day activity commenced with field visits to three of the learning sites of ATI CaLaBaRZon under the OA program, the Uma Verde Eco Nature Farm, Candelaria; Ka Mulong’s Farm, Sariaya; and Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm, Park & Restaurant, Pagbilao in Quezon province. The participants toured around the farms and learned farm operations from the cooperators including feeds formulation. Resource speakers were invited to impart their expertise and knowledge on OA. Ms. Ma. Leonellie Dimalaluan of Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Quezon discussed the principles and practices of OA, while Ms. Glemechille Maestro of Southern Luzon State University provided hands-on activity on preparing different concoctions. Also, workshop on integrating the OA Curriculum to K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum was part of the activity. The participants were divided into four groups: grades 4 – 6 (elementary), grades 7 & 8, and grades 11 & 12 (senior high school) for ACP NC I and NC II. Afterwards, each group presented outputs relating to integration of OA in their curriculum guide.

“After this training, rest assured na ang gagawin namin ay constant monitoring and echoing to district. Let’s bring and integrate the organic agriculture theories, practices and principles in our school curricula,” as mentioned by Ms. Carolina Zaracena of DepEd Quezon during the culminating activity. Adding to that, “We promised that we are going to share all this learning as we go back to our different stations in the division,” highlighted by Mr. Rey Aleman of DepEd Lucena City.

The OA Integration for K – 12 Tracks transpires on May 22- 24, 2018 in Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm, Park & Restaurant, Pagbilao, Quezon. It aims to integrate OA theories, principles and practices in school curricula.