6 Negrenses receive Regional Gawad Saka awards

ILOILO. Antonio Jesus Orbida (3rd from left) receives the Regional Gawad Saka award as outstanding coconut farmer from Department of Agriculture Region 6 Director Remelyn Recoter (4th from right) in rites held at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center in Iloilo City on Monday. Also in photo are Philippine Coconut Authority Region 6 Manager Brendan Trasmonte (3nd from left), Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino (3rd from right), and Binalbagan Municipal Agriculturist Cesar Gayem (2nd from right). (Contributed Photo)
ILOILO. Antonio Jesus Orbida (3rd from left) receives the Regional Gawad Saka award as outstanding coconut farmer from Department of Agriculture Region 6 Director Remelyn Recoter (4th from right) in rites held at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center in Iloilo City on Monday. Also in photo are Philippine Coconut Authority Region 6 Manager Brendan Trasmonte (3nd from left), Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino (3rd from right), and Binalbagan Municipal Agriculturist Cesar Gayem (2nd from right). (Contributed Photo)

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas has recognized six Negrenses as among the 13 winners of Regional Gawad Saka 2018 in rites held at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center in Iloilo City Monday.

They are Antonio Jesus Orbida of Binalbagan as outstanding coconut farmer; Reymund Sofio of Valladolid, outstanding rice farmer adopting rice-based farming; Ahmon Ledesma of Bago City, outstanding organic agriculture farmer; Marlon Cajenta of Kabankalan City, outstanding small animal raiser; Jesselle Hyacinth Suarez-Hablo of Bacolod City, outstanding agricultural entrepreneur; and Joenel Gamala Sr. of San Carlos City, outstanding farm family.

Gawad Saka is a search for outstanding achievers in the fields of agriculture and fisheries. Through which, the DA recognizes the contribution of the agricultural sector in the country’s economic performance.

Remelyn Recoter, director of DA-Region 6, yesterday said the regional winners will be elevated as national contenders. By passing the guidelines, this means that they are capable of winning the National Gawad Saka awards.

She cited the annual Pasidungog Awards of Negros Occidental every Panaad sa Negros Festival as a measure that has enabled the province to produce the most number of Gawad Saka awardees in the region.

Of the six provinces in Western Visayas, only Negros Occidental has the said search recognizing outstanding local farmers and fisherfolk and their contribution to the development of the agriculture sector.

“I told Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino to continue the program and mainstream it by allocating funds and providing assistance to cities and municipalities,” Recoter said, adding that, during the awarding rites, she urged other provinces to replicate such good practice of Negros Occidental.

The initiative allows local government units (LGUs) to identify earlier their respective possible contenders. “What happens usually is, potential winners are identified only if the search is already fast approaching,” the regional director stressed.

The seven other winners are Severo Valenciana of Dumalag, Capiz – outstanding corn farmer; Ed Roderick Cañuto of Badiangan, Iloilo – outstanding high value crops farmers; Glenda Dela Torre of Miagao, Iloilo – outstanding fisherfolk; Joemel Nieles also of Miagao, Iloilo – outstanding young farmer; Lezo Multipurpose Cooperative of Lezo, Aklan – outstanding small farmer organization; Leon Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council of Leon, Iloilo – outstanding Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council; and Aklan Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council – outstanding Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council.

Recoter lauded the six winners from Negros Occidental and those from other provinces in the region for being a source of inspiration for the rest of the farmers and fisherfolk in their respective localities.

“We urged the winners to continue improving in their respective fields. For other farmers and fisherfolk, look up to the winners and do your best also,” she added.

In his response speech, Orbida thanked the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and DA Region 6 for recognizing farmers and fisherfolk, as well as the Municipal Government of Binalbagan and Philippine Coconut Authority for the support they have extended.

Orbida, also the president of PeacePond Farmers Association based at Barangay Enclaro in Binalbagan town, said public and private partnerships are contributing to the success of every farmer and fisherfolk.

“Interventions like dispersals, workshops and seminars conducted by different government agencies are vital in the agricultural development especially for us farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

The PeacePond Integrated Diversified Farm is one of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) learning sites in Negros Occidental.

In fact, Recoter cited that one of the "strengths" of Orbida in winning the said award is being able to share their best practices with the community.

“With that, thank you for the trust they have given to us farmers and fisherfolk,” Orbida added.

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