TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Department of Agriculture (DA) recognized the outstanding work of two of the province’s Agricultural Extension Workers during the recently concluded National Quality Corn Achievers Awards (NQCAA) 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
This is the second consecutive time for Remy Balliyao and the second non-consecutive time for Marvin Ladiwan to win the National Quality Corn Achievers Awards under the Agricultural Extension Worker category. The two winners received a plaque and P20,000 cash incentive.
“I always want to excel for the sake of the farmers in the province and to bring recognition to the agriculture office,” said Balliyao in an interview.
Balliyao is in charge of corn farmers in Tabuk City and the municipalities of Pinukpuk and Rizal while Ladiwan is in charge of the municipality of Pasil.
The National Quality Corn Achievers Awards was devised by the DA to develop and raise corn production and quality in the Philippines and improve the welfare of small-holder farmers. It recognizes Local Government Units (LGUs) and DA-Regional Field Offices (DARFOs) that have significantly performed in terms of improving corn quality and safety, increasing production yield, organizing corn farmers, and development of corn-related programs and projects.
Balliyao said the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services or OPAS will work on winning the award for LGU-Kalinga next year. Kalinga is yet to bag the award which the province of Nueva Vizcaya is Hall of Famer and recipient of P7 million fund incentive.
Other Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers in the Cordillera region include Adelfa Camungao of Sta. Marcela, Apayao; Annabel Ayson of Luna, Apayao and Perpetua Ancheta of Pidigan , Abra. Meanwhile, The Marsan Family of the Cosmic Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet won in the Organic Agriculture Outstanding Farming Family category.
By Iryll Sicnao
