Dr. Luz Taposok visits the exhibit of different cultural, agriculture and tourism products of Davao del Norte during its 50th Founding Anniversary held in the Sports and Tourism Complex in the province.
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – Festivities, more years of abundance, and stronger commitment in the promotion of agri-tourism. These are the things that OIC-Director Luz Taposok of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) wished for the Dabaonons as they celebrated the 50th Founding Anniversary of the province.
Taposok expressed her heartfelt felicitations for Davao Del Norte’s 50 glorious years of rapid growth and progress. She stated, “You, as Dabaonons are more precious than gold – you are the true wealth of Davao del Norte!”
The event served as an opportune time for the Dabaonons to pay tribute on the various contributions of the tourism and agriculture industry in their pursuit for regional prominence and for increasing national relevance in the new era of socio-economic advancement.
The OIC-Director noted that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have been working hand in hand to further alleviate and fast track development in the countryside through promoting farm tourism destinations.
“With the passage of the Farm Tourism Bill that was rallied by ATI since its conceptualization, there are now emerging farm sites that have become tourist attractions.” She explained.
Taposok further indicated that ATI helps the farmers prepare their areas to become farm tourism ready and set to be accredited as an official Farm Tourism Site by the DOT. She specified that ATI has already certified 15 Learning Sites and four Schools for Practical Agriculture in the Davao region. Among the said sites, five farms are located in Davao del Norte.
“This is just one of the initiatives undertaken by the Department of Agriculture through ATI to serve more farmers and fishers, and to contribute in making food available and affordable for every Filipino family.” She added.
Among those who also spoke during the opening program were Davao del Norte Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario, Tagum Councilor Francisco Remitar, OIC-Regional Director Engr. Ricardo Oῆate Jr. of DA Region XI, Provincial Agriculturist Anastacia Notarte, and Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Darryl Ayado.
Highlights of the activity include the opening of the Agri-Aqua Trade Fair 2017 and the exhibit of different cultural, agri and tourism products in the province.
With the theme “Bulawanong Paghinumdom, Bulawanong Panlantaw (Golden Commemoration, Golden Vision), more than a hundred Dabaonons participated in the opening celebration last June 23, 2017 in Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.