[L-R] Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Pablito Balantac, Calatagan Municipal Mayor, Oliver Peter M. Palacio with ATI IV-A Center Director, Ms. Marites Piamonte-Cosico, and some farm family beneficiaries unveil the CRA livelihood and community project at Barangay Balitoc, Calatagan Batangas.
CALATAGAN, Batangas – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CaLaBaRZon launched the Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) Livelihood and Community Project in Brgy. Balitoc,Calatagan, Batangas. Brgy.Balitoc is the pilot area in the province of Batangas for the Climate Resilient Community.
The 30 farm family beneficiaries of the project attended the launching ceremony. Meanwhile, representatives from partner agencies also graced the momentous event, including: Mr. Fidel L. Libao, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Batangas, Engr. Pablito Balantac, Provincial Agriculturist, and Mr. Ferdinand Evasco, Field Adjuster from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Hon. Oliver Peter M. Palacio, Municipal Mayor Calatagan, was also present throughout the program. "Kailangan na talaga na maka-sunod tayo sa pagbabago ng panahon o klima.Para sa ganon ay maging productive pa din tayo. Ito po ay hamon sa atin na ating ipagpatuloy ang programang ito. Ito naman po ay ibinibigay sa atin kaya't atin pong yakapin, mga minamahal kong kababayan. Ito po naman ay para sa inyorin at para po sa atin," he emphasized.
The launching of CRA Livelihood and Community project was initiated with the groundbreaking ceremony. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between ATI CaLaBaRZon and the Municipality of Calatagan was the highlight of the program. Also part of the launching was the commitment signing of partner agencies and farm family beneficiaries.
"Ang request lang po namin sa ATI-IV-A na yakapin nyo yung programa at kapag kayo ay nakatapos, gamitin ninyo, at kapag nagamit niny, ituro ninyo pa sa ibang barangay. Balitoc is just one of the barangays in Batangas and given na nakikita ko po na supportive ang local officials, and even the Municipal Agriculture, hindi po malayo na maging successful ang community na ito" said Ms. Marites P. Cosico, Center Director of ATI CaLaBaRZon in her message.
The program will be implemented for six months with various discussions and hands-on exercises on climate change technologies, to empower the whole community on climate smart livelihood and impacts of climate change and disasters. Dr. Rolando V. Maningas, Climate Change Focal Person of ATI CaLaBaRZon, will oversee the implementation of the project.This project launching was held on August 24, 2018.
Content: Hans Christopher C. Flores