THE Progressive Agricultural Knowledge Advancement and Opportunities in Negros (Pagkaon) Inc. held its 8th annual yearend get together and general assembly with the theme “Continuing the Legacy through Unity and Cooperation” on December 28 to 29 at the Forest Park Resort, Bacolod City.
More than 50 graduates and undergraduates under the Pagkaon scholarship category of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division (NOSPD) participated in the two-day activity.
Former Governor Rafael Coscolluela said the country is blessed with good soil, efficient water, and favorable weather but there are only a few people who are interested in cultivating the land.
He added that he is thankful that there are still young people who are willing to study agriculture and eventually create interventions to make other farmers’ lives easier.
The scholars extended their gratitude to the provincial government for the opportunity given to them and accepted the challenge of Coscolluela to continue inspiring other youth to raise a land of competence, technology, and productivity.
The scholarship was conceptualized in 1998, under the leadership of Coscolluela, with the idea of giving the children of farmers and fisherfolks the opportunity of getting a quality education and become “change agents” in the field of agriculture.
The scholarship program, however, was institutionalized in 2015 under the administration of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. when he created the NOSPD and added more slots to accommodate more deserving children of farmers and fisherfolks while at the same time adding more scholarship categories to cater the children of low-income families, even sending students abroad to countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.
Also present in the assembly were NOSPD head Karen Dinsay and Pagkaon scholarship coordinator Michelle Nessia. (PR)