Luna, Apayao and Tanggal SWIP Small Impounding Dam Association, Inc (TSSDAI) received national recognition during the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Achievers Award (RAA) 2016 held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Manila last May 23, 2017.
TSSIDAI of Tabuk City, Kalinga was awarded as one of the Outstanding Small Water Impounding Systems Association. The organization received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of PHP500,000.00.
“It is an honor receiving an award and never in our dreams did we envision being in this stage. This event is an eye-opener for us and for other stakeholders too, that there are still much to do to improve the rice industry and our labor in doing so will yield bountifully, in harvest and recognition. We will be of service in whatever we can in order to contribute to the prosperity of the industry. Thus, may this be a challenge to everybody to do their work with passion and dedication,” Jerry G. Estino, TSSIDAI president said.
Moreover, Luna, Apayao was also recognized as one of the Outstanding Municipalities. Mayor Josephine Bangsil, Municipal Agriculturist Florencio Agustin and Agricultural Extension Workers Jane dela Rosa and Gloria Estelon served as representatives of the municipality. They received a plaque of recognition and a certificate of project award worth PHP1,000,000.00.
In addition, DA’s Undersecretary for Operations Ariel Cayanan said during his speech that the Department believes the value even of the smallest effort exerted for the betterment of the local rice produce. Hence, the utmost support and recognition should be given to the various stakeholders. The annual undertaking recognizes the excellence of our provinces down to the municipalities, cities to various organizations, supporters and technicians in the field of agriculture. It is an intervention that paves the way in attaining the goal of rice sufficiency.
“The activity is a great avenue for more formed partnerships and strengthening the linkages between stakeholders,” Usec Cayanan added.
On the other hand, Cynthia Villar, Senator and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food in the Senate challenged the stakeholders that trials are still at hand and will still come, but with the collective efforts of everybody, nothing is impossible for the rice industry’s growth and development.
Winners of the RAA 2016 were selected based on their incremental increase in rice harvest and average yield per hectare over 2016 levels, amount of budget devoted to rice project and initiatives, the number of farmers benefitted, and degree of quality seed utilization, among other criteria.**JMD
