CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Department of Agriculture (DA) recently cited 15 regional winners of the Gawad Saka Search in a ceremony at the Heroes Hall Mini Convention Center. Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan, together with Regional Executive Director Andrew Villacorta, led the awarding of plaques and checks to the winners. “These awards serve as a symbol of our farmers’ hard work and inspiration to ensure food security and affordability in the midst of climate change. At the same time, this is also a challenge for them to impart modern technology in their respective communities,” Villacorta said.
This year’s roster of regional honorees from Nueva Ecija include Danilo Fausto of Talavera as Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur; Josephine Perlas and family of Palayan City as Outstanding Farm Family; Barangay Las Pinas in Penaranda as Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (LGU managed); Bagumbayan MPC in Llanera as Outstanding Small Farmers Organization; Dr. Roel Suralta of PhilRice as Outstanding Agricultural Scientist; and Dr. Riza Ramos of PhilRice as Outstanding Agricultural Researcher.
Meanwhile, Bulacan produced five regional awardees, namely Nemencio Concepcion of San Ildefonso as Outstanding Rice Farmer; Artemio Veneracion of Baliuag as Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Celestino Mananguit of San Ildefonso as Outstanding Large Animal Raiser; Bienvenido Gumapos of San Ildefonso as Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer; and Umpucan Palay and Vegetable Farmers MPC as Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (non-LGU managed).
Other winners were Nora Abordo of San Luis, Aurora as Outstanding Coconut Raiser; Dr. Richard Torno of Floridablanca, Pampanga as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer; Nestor delos Santos of San Manuel, Tarlac as Outstanding Corn Farmer; and Alexander Paulo of San Antonio, Zambales as Outstanding Young Farmer.
The contest started at the municipal level where model farmers, fishers and livestock raisers and farmers’ and fisher folks’ groups, and organizations were endorsed by their respective mayors to the provincial level competition. Profiles of the provincial winners were then submitted to DA Regional Office for review and validation.
The regional awardees are automatically Central Luzon’s bets to the national competition. (CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3)