BOAC, MARINDUQUE. The Department of Agriculture (DA) MiMaRoPa thru Agri-Business and Marketing Division (AMAD) headed by Mrs. Nida M. San Juan conducted the 5th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC) themed “Organikong Pagsasaka; Todo na!” held at Marinduque Disaster Risk Reduction and Convention Center (MDRRC) on September 26-28, 2017.
The theme was based on the advocacy campaign of the department to promote the Organic Agriculture (OA) in the whole region.
The congress took place in this Boac after the turn-over of the 4th ROACin Odiongan, Romblon last year.
This event were attended by different Organic farmers, practitioners, local government units, and walk-in individuals who are interested in OA. Also, each provinces in the region were headed by their respective OA focal person. Mr. Jehu Michael Q. Barrientos led the Province of Occidental Mindoro; Mr. Ely H. Vargas led Oriental Mindoro; Mr. Al F. Fetalver led the province of Romblon; Dr. Romeo Cabungcal led the province of Palawan and Mr. Oscar D. Lapida led the City of Puerto Princesa and lastly, the host province, Marinduque was led by Mr. Ruel L. Lecaros and their Governor Carmencita O. Reyes.
According to Gov. Reyes, “kailangan na nating maibalik ang pagkaing organiko dahil ito ang ating likas na pagkain para humaba angating buhay”.
During the symposia, the focal person in each province reported the status and updates on their respective provinces.
The whole event focused on the topics on the success stories of the people who converted from conventional Farming to organic farming and also the benefits of eating organically grown foods in our body.
On the following day, the participants were able to have a chance of a tour in different organic farms in the province such as Sibuyao Demo farm, located at Sibuyao, Torrijos; PTADC Eco Adventure Park, situated at Brgy. Tamayo, Sta Cruz; Marinduque State College at Poblacion, Torrijos; School of Practical Agriculture- Agricultural training institute (SPA ATI) at Poras, Boac; and lastly, Ka Ninoy’s Integrated Farms located at Tanza, Boac.
The participants were able to witness the Organic farms of the host province. Hence, they got tips from the owners of the farm .
The program follows the impression from the participants. According to Mr. Randy V. Balderas, an OA practitioner and trainer from Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro said, “ ang Organic Congress na ito ay napakaganda. Malaking opportunity sa amin (organic farmer) ang makadalo sa event na ito. Sana sa sususnod ay makasama pa kami.”
“Busog na busog kami sa pakain sa mga organic farms!” ngayon lang kami nakaexperience ng ganung pagtanggap. Napakaganda!” he added.
The program ended with the turn-over of the key to Calapan City as the next host for the next Organic Congress.
Mrs. Lorelei Sevilla, from City Agriculture Office, was happy to receive the key as the next host city/province in the next ROAC.
“Overall, we are pressured right now kasi maganda talaga ang ginawa ng Marinduque. Pero kung hindi man naming mapantayan ay hihigitan pa naming itong ginawa ng Marinduque next year. She said.
After that, the participants got a chance to have a photo ops with the host province and the next host province.
ROAC is a yearly activity of the Department of Agriculture to promote the usage of natural techniques in farming to promote wellness in the community. This is also an exchange of information from the participants through sharing their techniques during open forum. It is also an eye opener to those who are interested in converting their faming style from conventional farming to organic one.
