PILI, Camarines Sur- In response to the prohibition of mass gathering in light of Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute has redesigned the conduct of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Information Caravan to attune to the new normal.
Instead of as the usual face-to-face encounter involving the rice farmers and extension workers, and the RCEP team hopping from one province to another, the information caravan is simulcasted in the four provinces in Bicol via radio broadcast and the social media platform of ATI Bicol, the #Sarabay Channel on YouTube.
The activity, called ‘RCEF Information Caravan On Air,’ aims to educate rice farmers about the features and benefits of the Republic Act 11203 otherwise known as the Rice Tarrification Law. The law seeks to ensure affordable rice prices for consumers and at the same time raise the income of rice farmers.
DA-ATI Bicol Assistant Center Director Vivien V. Carable and Engr. Kristine O. Olila, the rice focal person are spearheading the agency's RCEF program implementation in the region.
The Info Caravan radio broadcast can be viewed publicly via YouTube. However, it is broadcasted on radio in four priority provinces of Bicol -- Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. The one-hour daily program is aired for eight days, Tuesday to Friday from July 7th to July 17th.
During the opening episode, DA-ATI Bicol Center Director Elsa A. Parot thanked the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) headed by Dir. Rodel P. Tornilla, as well as the Provincial Agriculturists, namely Engr. Jonel Orteza of Masbate, Ms. Che Rebeta of Albay, Ms. Che Bermejo of Camarines Sur, and Mr. Nestor Nava of Sorsogon for their continued assistance and support to RCEF.
According to Dir. Tornilla, ang programa ay tugon sa pangangailangan na mag siwalat ng mga mahahalagang kaalaman at impormasyon sa ating mga magsasaka na hindi kailangan magkakaharap dahil sa banta ng CoViD-19."
Dir. Parot added, that this info caravan is an example of the agency's "uninterrupted service" even though we are now experiencing pandemic.
Viewers can watch the RCEF info Caravan on the ATI Bicol Youtube Account, #Sarabay Channel, and listen to the radio broadcast over the following stations:
Albay:
DZGB AM(729 kHz) 11:00 am to 12:00nn (Tuesday & Wednesday)
10:00am to 11:00am (Thursday & Friday)
One Radyo 11:00am to 12:00nn (Tuesday to Friday)
(for 1st district only) 2:00pm to 3:00pm (Friday)
Camarines Sur:
DWOS FM(103.9) at Radyo Natin Naga(89.5)
11:00am to 12:00nn (Tuesday to Friday)
Sorsogon:
Padaba Bulan FM(95.3) at Padaba Sorsogon City (99.9)
11:00 am to 12:00nn (Tuesday to Friday)
Masbate:
Spirit FM at Padaba Bulan FM 95.3 (for Ticao Island)
11:00am to 12:00nn (Tuesday to Friday)