By Zorayda Tecson
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, (PNA) — The Dept. of Agriculture regional office on Friday recognized the regional Gawad Saka winners in Central Luzon for their exemplary achievements in the field of agriculture and fisheries.
“The Gawad Saka is being given to farmers, fisherfolks, livestock raisers and farmers’ and fisherfolks’ groups and organizations in recognition of their achievements as well as contributions to nation-building. The last year’s performance served as the basis in determining the winners,” DA regional executive director Andrew Villacorta said.
Likewise, Villacorta said that “this is day we have to give thanks to the Gawad Saka winners in the region because they are the reason why the agriculture sector in Central Luzon is bullish,” he said.
Among the individual category awardees were Alexander Parducho from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding Organic Farmer; Reynaldo Hilario from Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding High Value Crop Farmer; Juanito Rama from San Manuel, Tarlac, Outstanding Corn Farmer; Rene Valdez from Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer;
Ravenal Quizon from San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Outstanding Large Animal Raiser, Jeffrey Lim from Gerona, Tarlac, Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Alfonso Gonzales from Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding Fish Culture; Gil Navarro from Masantol, Pampanga, Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur; and Dr. Norman De Jesus from Magalang, Pampanga, Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.
The institutional category awardees, on the other hand, were Maligaya Barangay Food Terminal from Dilasag, Aurora, Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (LGU Managed); San Lorenzo Barangay Food Terminal from Masinloc, Zambales, Oustanding Barangay Food Terminal (Non-LGU); Catmon Multi Purpose Cooperative from Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Outstanding Small Farmer Organization; Pagkasa ng Kabataan sa Saudi Pias 4H from Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding Young Farmers’ Organization; Muñoz City Agriculture and Fisheries Council (CAFC) in Nueva Ecija, Outstanding CAFC ; and San Antonio Rural Improvement Club (RIC) from Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Outstanding RIC.
Regional winners were given plaques of recognition and cash prizes worth P30,000 for the individual category and P50,000 for the institutional category winners.
The regional awardees were picked by a selection committee composed of various program coordinators and division chiefs of DA-Regional Field Unit, together with representatives from the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council.