“Being in jail did not stop me from learning. Indeed, it makes me even more determined to keep on learning,” said John Mark Forcado.

Forcado is one of the 60 detainees in Odiongan District Jail who enrolled in the School-on-the-Air (SOA) Program on Organic Agriculture (OA). He took the chance to learn for believing that he could apply all his learnings in the program once he will be freed from detention. Through perseverance and his active participation in SOA, the 27-year-old detainee graduated as topnotcher of his batch.

“Mapalad po kami at nabigyan kami ng ganitong pagkakataon para matuto. Dahil sa Radyo Eskwela, natutunan namin kung ano ang RA 10065. Natuto kami kung paano ang pagtatanim ng gulay sa organikong pamamaraan, mula sa paghahanda ng lupa, paggawa ng organikong abono, hanggang sa tamang pag-aalaga nito. Alam namin na ang aming natutunan dito ay magagamit namin sa susunod na kabanata ng aming buhay,” Forcado expressed.

The event was graced by Odiongan District Jail Warden, Senior Inspector Jeorge Allan Soriano, Provincial Organic Coordinator, Al S. Fetalver and President of Romblon Organic Farmers Association, Alejandre G. Solis, Jr. They equally congratulated the participants and hoped that ATI will continue to provide trainings to the detainees for them to be equipped on the latest technologies on farming.

At the same time, a SOA mass graduation was also conducted in the Province of Romblon. Highlight of the activity was the presence of Provincial HVCDP Coordinator, Ms. Liza Gaca together with Municipal Agriculturist of Odiongan, Mr. Zaldy F. Forcadas who encouraged the graduates to use what they have learned in the program in their own respective farms.

Also, eight (8) outstanding students from the municipalities involved in the SOA were recognized. Certificates and awards were given to the deserving graduates during the culmination rite. On the other hand, three municipalities in the province namely, Odiongan, San Andres and San Agustin were awarded with cash prize for their efforts of establishing a Technology Demonstration Farm on Organic Vegetable Production throughout the implementation of the SOA program.

With its theme, “Maambok, Mabaskog, Nagakita sa Organikong Pag-uuma,” the SOA program was aired every Thursday and Friday at 9:00 to 10:00 AM on 104.5 FM Radyo Natin Looc and every Saturday at 10:00 to 11:00 AM and Sunday at 1:00 to 2:00 PM on 101.3 FM Radyo Natin Odiongan.

Of the 339 graduates, 279 vegetable farmers are from the municipalities of Odiongan (85), San Agustin (35), San Andres (30), Calatrava (38), Sta. Fe (18), Looc (50), Ferrol (18), Alcantara (5) and 60 detainees from Odiongan District Jail.

The culminating activity was held at Romblon State University and Odiongan District Jail, Odiongan Romblon on June 29, 2017.