Twenty ATI-EP learners who are at their elementary level ages 14-21 years who want to pursue secondary education was conferred during the culmination program held at Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel, Tagbilaran City last May 27, 2017 after they completed the six-month in-house and on-field training at ATI-Regional Training Center 7 and selected demonstration farm in Bohol together with the Department of Education-Alternative Learning Systems (DepEd ALS). Part of their expected output is to establish a backyard garden in their respective households.

The Academic and Technology Integration Education Program (ATI-EP) is an education and training intervention of the Agricultural Training Institute in support to the Youth Empowerment through a Sustainable (YES) Program for the 4H clubs in the Philippines, preparing the youth as a new breed of competent farmers of the new generation.

The invited guest who delivered his message of encouragement among these learners was Mr. Rex Rieta Villavelez, Youth Leader, Board Member, Children's Legal Bureau, Talisay City and who is currently the Research Specialist in Statistics at the University of the Visayas in Cebu City.

In his speech, he challenged the youth to dream big and follow their heart’s desire for the betterment of their life.

Moreover, ATI-RTC 7 Center Director, Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio on her message encouraged the ATI-EP learners to continue striving in order to attain their life’s objectives. She emphasized that through passion, dedication, and love for agriculture, everything will happen.

Three learners representing the ATI-EP shared their impressions on their journey. First to give is Dean B. Lamoste of Libertad Norte, Sagbayan, Bohol, where he reiterated that being a part of this scholarship is already considered a prize because, for so many youths in Region 7, we are among the chosen 20. The reason for quitting school is not my peers but due to the long distance of trekking from home to school, that’s why, when ATI-RTC 7 accorded me this opportunity, I am so happy and I am also grateful for the dedication of Mam Zinklyn Largo and Mam Elvie Mijares for their patience wherein we considered them as our heroes because you stood still even if we had bad days, Dean added.

Meanwhile, John Joshua L. Bacus of Lantawan of Sinsin, Cebu City in his impression said, he is encouraged to join this program because of his interest to finish school besides the achievements of his friend, Mr. Jeswhelson Sacis, who was very diligent in joining every activity that ATI has been doing. With that, he was able to attain knowledge and skills in farming where he can do a lot beside grafting and budding technologies. What encouraged Joshua a lot is the big transformation of his friend wherein he is very responsible despite his very young age and the farm that he established right now. ATI-EP helped me to become a humble person wherein patience and respect should be considered in our daily undertaking in order to succeed. Thus, I am hoping that this combined program of DepEd and ATI will help us learners to develop ourselves and our lives in general, shared Joshua.

The last learner who shared his impression, Gilvin A. Laxa of Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor shared that through Elnard Ympal, he was encouraged to join this program and he is very much grateful for the opportunity accorded to him because he learned a lot and his skills in agriculture, as well as his self-esteem, has been developed. He said as quoted: “I truly believed that in agriculture, there is money because the seeds given to us by ATI such as pechay gave me income through its sales.”

In general, all ATI-EP learners thanked ATI for the opportunities given to them because, through this program, their dream of pursuing further studies were materialized though they are aware that the realization of their dreams will depend on their dedication and perseverance to move on to greater heights. In closing, success depends on the wide acceptance of opportunities that came into our lives and the purity of its intention.