DILIMAN, Quezon City—New officer-in-charge (OIC) director, Alfredo Aton, sets the tone for the next few years as the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) turns another leaf under his leadership.

In a meeting with ATI division chiefs, Central Office section chiefs, and training center directors, Aton asked for everyone’s cooperation and support in improving the bureau’s programs and services for the stakeholders and the public.

“I hope that everybody in our organization will work together towards the same direction. We need to ensure that the Institute is in line with [Agriculture] Secretary Manny Piñol’s thrusts,” he said.

With this, he asked for a review of the strategic plan to see how far the ATI has come and find out if amendments are necessary. ATI Management Association president and ATI Cordillera training center director Arlene Flores and Policy and Planning Division chief Milagros Urbano were tasked to lead this undertaking.

Under his term, Aton aims to guide the ATI in “reaching the ground” consistent with Piñol’s directive. A one-day free seminar per month has then been lined up by all training centers nationwide starting 2019.

Aside from this, at least an hour of financial literacy lectures will be incorporated in all ATI training initiatives. This is in support to the Department of Agriculture’s financial aid programs for farmers, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, to monitor the accomplishments of the network of ATI offices, Aton requested for a quarterly physical and financial review. Likewise, top-performing centers will be recognized every year.

The Institute is also set to celebrate its 32nd anniversary in January next year. All training centers are expected to hold festivities in their respective areas in the simplest way possible, Aton urged.

Other activities lined up early 2019 are the annual review and the crafting of ISO quality objectives and risk assessment planning workshop.

Prior to the meeting, all the 16 training center directors received one unit of vehicle each during a simple turnover ceremony.

Aton was designated as the new OIC of the ATI through DA Special Order No. 1180 dated December 3, 2018.

A native of North Cotabato, Aton worked for 21 years in the provincial governor’s office. He started as accounting clerk before rising to the ranks as financial examiner and management and audit analyst. In 2016, he became the deputy director of the ATI.

The direction-setting meeting and vehicle turnover were held at the ATI Central Office compound on December 10, 2018.