MANILA—The Digital Farmers Program (DFP) of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Smart Communications, Inc. was recognized at the 55th Anvil Awards. Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil is the symbol of excellence in Public Relations (PR) for outstanding programs and tools.

During the Awards’ Gabi ng Parangal, PRSP President Andy Saracho commended the awardees for developing outstanding PR campaigns. “Tonight, we celebrate excellence and brilliance as we fight off mediocrity in the way messages are communicated to our people. Congratulations to all of you for winning the anvils,” Saracho emphasized.

Under the category of Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis Entrepreneurship/ Job Generation/ SME, the DFP won a Gold Anvil for empowering small-scale farmers through a ladderized education approach with basic digital tools and technologies.

ATI Information Services Division Chief Antonieta Arceo expressed her gratitude in a Facebook post saying, “This is a testament that private-public partnerships work. Thank you so much Smart Communications Public Affairs Group for inviting us to be part of this recognition. I am humbled and in awe of how you value your partners.”

Arceo also acknowledged the Institute’s network of training centers who were part of the DFP pilot implementation, as well as the farmers and youth who participated in the program’s first phase or DFP 101 sessions. The DFP 101 trainings were conducted last year in Pangasinan, Isabela, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Iloilo, Bohol, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Agusan del Norte.

Likewise, Stephanie Orlino, Smart Communications Public Affairs Assistant Vice President for Community Partnerships, shared her appreciation towards their partners. She noted, “Grateful for our partners who innovate with us and tirelessly work to bring the benefits of technology to communities that need it the most.”

Aside from the DFP, Smart Communications through their Community Partnerships Department won four more Anvil trophies for their PR initiatives including Learn Smart Apps, SafePH for Smart Millenniors, and TNT Tropang Ready.

The Anvil Awards is an annual public relations awards in the Philippines given to select PR nominees of exemplary performance in the field after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

The 55th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal was held on February 28, 2020 at the Fiesta Pavillion, The Manila Hotel.

See related story: The 55th ANVIL AWARDS: Championing Excellence in Public Relations