BAGUIO CITY – Colleagues from the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR) celebrated the three decades-long of public service triumph of outgoing Regulatory Division (RegD)Chief Ruben Dulagan and Supervising Agriculturist Landes Teofilo as they reminisce their contributions to the agency.
Ruben Aglamas Dulagan started working in DA-CAR on May 1, 1989 as an Agricultural Development Specialist under the Operations Division, Agribusiness Section. He was promoted in the same year as Agriculturist II under the Agricultural Programs Division. In 2002, he levelled up as a Senior Agriculturist under the High Value Commercial Crops Program, in which he also served as the Coordinator, and as a Focal Person for the Organic Agriculture Program in 2013-2015, all under the same division. He also served as the OIC-AMAD chief from 2013-2015, and as Focal Person for Marketing Components of DA-CAR Special Projects until 2017. He then got promoted as a Supervising Agriculturist in 2017 under RegD while also serving as the Regional Livestock Coordinator in 2019, and finally, Chief Agriculturist of RegD in 2020, until his retirement.
Meanwhile, Teofilo started as an Agricultural Technician in the Bureau of Plant Industry under the RP-German project. He entered as an Agriculturist I in 1991 at the DA-CAR under the RegD. He got promoted as the Agrarian Reform Program Officer II from June 1993. He was also designated as the HVCDP Coordinator succeeding Dulagan, and Officer-in-Charge of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program until his retirement, while also serving as the second-in-command as the Supervising Agriculturist under RegD. He also worked under the Personnel Section and Research Division at the Dairy Farm.
In her message, OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan reminisced the old days of working with Dulagan and Teofilo and send her well wishes to them, she likewise advised the current employees to emulate the satisfactory professional ethics and working relationship they have with everyone. She also encouraged the beneficiaries of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Repopulation and Expansion (INSPIRE) project being implemented by the Regulatory Division through the Livestock Program to inspire the retirees by showing them the success of the project in their community, “I hope you inspire manong Ruben as a gift for his retirement. Even though he is leaving DA, you can show that the project is fully operating by taking really good care of it. Maybe it will also inspire him to have a similar business,” she said.
Further, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo P. Daguio also sent his good luck to the retirees, considering them as his brothers. “Whatever your plans after leaving this office, I join others in wishing you good luck and in praying for your success, good health, safety, all the best that you deserve,” he said.
OIC-RTD for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene Sagayo also expressed her well wishes to the retirement, “Now that you are retired, may you find your own road where you feel you truly belong. I also hope that you enjoy your retirement,” she said.
In his departing message, Dulagan expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout the years of his service. He also hopes for the INSPIRE beneficiaries to continue the project, “My apologies if we keep on asking for a follow-up regarding the INSPIRE project, as this is important because this is a business. You will be left behind if you will not start earlier, then you will also have a surplus on swine,” he said.
Landes also expressed his gratitude for his colleagues and family for their unwavering support during his endeavors in public service, as well as for the prayers during his health recovery. “I just want to thank everyone for your support. I will never achieve what I have accomplished for the past three decades that I was working here [in DA] if not for your support. I also want to thank you as I know I am always included in your prayers. Thank you,” he expressed.
Present during the celebration were former DA-CAR RED and OPAPRU Consultant Cameron Odsey, Tabuk City Veterinarian Carmen Wanas, DA-CAR Division chiefs, and INSPIRE beneficiaries. By CEWaytan