Tagbilaran City – The Agricultural Training Institute – VII (ATI-7) 34th Anniversary celebration continues as a Memorandum of Agreement on Urban Agriculture Gardening Project was forged between ATI-7 through its Center Director Carolyn May O. Daquio, Ph.D. and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap was held at the City Hall followed by the planting of fruit-bearing trees at the City Agriculture Compound on February 19, 2020, this city.

The event was joined by the City Agriculture Office team lead by City Agriculture and Veterinarian Officer (CAVO) Genette May D. Egos, DVM, City Councilor Dulce Glovasa - head of the Committee on Agriculture; Barangay Captains and ‘’Kagawads" of Poblacion 3, Tiptip and Ubujan, Tagbilaran City.

Mayor Baba Yap in his message mentioned that it is the 6th to 7th time partnership between the City Government and ATI-7 since the height of COVID19. In his message, Mayor Yap said: “This is a positive indication of the strong agricultural sector in Tagbilaran. It recognizes the importance of urban agriculture as a way to address the stability of food supply, alleviate poverty and foster social integration among the communities. With the help of ATI, we can develop our environment through eco-friendly methods and other alternative and innovative gardening ways. Likewise, the fruit-bearing tree planting activities which are beneficial to the future generation” he added.

For 34 years, ATI Leads in Mobilizing and Empowering Partners and Communities towards One DA, is this year’s Anniversary theme. On January 29 of this year, ATI-7 kicked off its Anniversary with a holy mass followed by awarding of ATI loyalties and retirees and planting of fruit trees at the South Farm, an ATI Learning Site for Agriculture. The program with the City Government of Tagbilaran is still part of the ATI-7 Anniversary activities.

In its quest to serve beyond boundaries, Center Director Daquio said that ATI-7 will always support those who needed its services, Agriculture is not only about food production but also caters to the production of fiber, fuel, and feeds. ATI-7 provided 100 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees which was then planted by the ATI-7 Staff together with the CAVO team and Mayor Yap himself.

Dr. Daquio in her closing statement said. “Many would want to park under the shade of a tree, but the question is: have you planted one?”