BENGUET Governor Crescencio Pacalso aims to sustain the good relationship of the province with Kochi, Prefecture, Japan as they celebrate 20 years of sisterhood for agricultural training on technology, skills, and knowledge possessed by the Japanese.
“This year is the 20th anniversary of ties and we were invited to Kochi for the renewal of our sisterhood there to maintain our good partnership,” Pacalso said.
Recently, the province has sent more than 30 farmers to Japan in exchange of those more than 20 farmers who arrived home late January after their three - year contract ended.
“Be the ambassadors of goodwill. Always put in mind that you are the key for the future engagement of those future batches. This is also not only for you and your family but also for the province,” Pacalso added.
Pacalso emphasized a good working relationship with their host farmers is one key to be successful in working abroad.
“Show your sincerity and humbleness. Ask directly your queries and do not forget to pray as you accept these blessings. Be hard working because that’s the reason you got it in for this work,” he added.
Pacalso also emphasized learning the Japanese dialect, nihongo, will greatly help them to avoid communication barriers.
In addition, the balikbayans shared their experience to those going to Japan to manage their finances well and save their wages properly, to be hard working, have lots of patience and adapt to the new environment, keep good relationship with bosses, reach out to family, be disciplined and avoid getting involved in bad vices such as too much drinking or gambling because it may harm them.
Meanwhile, Pacalso signed the existing Memorandum of Agreement between the province and the Kuroshio Agricultural Development Cooperative (KADC) on the training project.
The farmers will further undergo a one-month Japanese language course and go on with the technical internship of three years in a vegetable, fruit or flower farm, due from March 1, 2017 to January 28, 2010.
However the technical internship will be renewed yearly depending on the performance and capability of the intern to meet the required eligibilities as well as the acceptance or agreeability of the host farmer with the consent from the sending organization.
Trainee will deposit a bond amount to the province through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) as a security bond in case of a breach of contract.
Violation of the MOA is a ground for termination of contract and immediate repatriation as cited in the MOA revealed by OPAG Supervising Agriculturist Delinia Juan.