DILIMAN, Quezon City – The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) is now a national Extension Service Provider (ESP), accredited by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

As a non-government organization with over 60 years of experience in empowering poor communities in developing countries, IIRR is the recent addition to the growing number of ESPs that help in hastening and improving the delivery of extension services to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) client system all over the country.

Mr. Rene R. Vidalio and Ms. Ruvicyn Bayot of IIRR received the Certificate of Accreditation awarded by ATI Director Alfredo S. Aton, MPS-DM; Assistant Director Rosana P. Mula, Ph.D; and the Chief of ATI’s Partnerships and Accreditation Division, Engr. Renato B. Dela Cruz, MNSA, in a short ceremony held on October 27, 2020 at the Rural Development Education Center of ATI in this city.

During the activity, IIRR was oriented about the obligations, responsibilities, and processes to be undertaken as a national ESP. Likewise, some incentives that they can enjoy after being accredited, such as technical assistance from DA and its attached agencies, and access to financial assistance thru lending institutions. Hence, their accreditation is valid for three (3) years from its date of issuance.

Despite the pandemic, ATI continues to accept and process ESP applications to ensure the delivery of quality services to agriculture, fisheries, and extension sector is not hampered. In similar way, IIRR is committed in enabling communities, and those who work with them, develop innovative, yet practical, solutions to poverty through a community-led development approach and to widely share these lessons to encourage replication.