To recognize their outstanding performance and contribution to the agriculture sector and to motivate other stakeholders to also do well, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga awarded recently this year’s Regional Agriculture Achievers.

The Awarding Ceremony was held during the conduct of the 4^th Regional Organic Conference on August 16 in Butuan City.

For the Regional Organic Agriculture (OA) Achievers, the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) was awarded as Outstanding Province while Rico Galinato of PDI was awarded as Outstanding Provincial OA Focal Person. The Municipality of Basilisa was recognized as Outstanding Municipal Local Government Unit while Emeliza R. Ebueza of Basilisa, PDI, Emma P. Lacse of Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte (SDN), and Patricinio G. Moran, Jr. of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (ADS) were recognized as Outstanding Municipal OA Focal Person. On the other hand, Helen I. Dumalagan of Trento, ADS was awarded as Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker while Engr. Woodrow C. Escobal, Jr. of Surigao City was recognized as Outstanding OA Small Farmer and the Agricultural Machineries Incorporated that Grows Organic (AMIGO) was awarded the Outstanding OA Small Farmer for the Group Category. The Outstanding OA Farming Family Award was given to Mr. and Mrs. Bertuldo Mejeno’ family of Basilisa, PDI.

The 2018 Rice Achievers’ Awardees include the Municipality of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte (ADN) as Outstanding Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and Dr. Raul M. Del Agua as Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist. The Agricultural Extension Workers Awardees include Jocelyn T. Paloma of Kitcharao, (ADN), Basilisa C. Huera of Buenavista, (ADN), Aimee C. Campanilla of Trento, Agusan del Sur, Engr. Myla M. Blanco of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur (SDS), Agnes C. Alcazar, Thelma A. Burgos, Nestor J. Fuentes, Yazmin A. Aparicio , Merilyn M. Laurenciana, Joan B. Dela Torre, and Segundina O. Ayag, all of Butuan City. Also awarded were Outstanding Local Farmer Technicians Merly A. Perez of Loreto, ADS and Noel A. Loquinte of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, this year’s roster of Regional Gawad Saka Awardees include Reymund C. Ballena of Surigao City as Outstanding Young Farmer, Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer Raul P. Basmayor of Mainit, SDN, Outstanding Small Animal Raiser Marvin P. Jinayon of Trento, ADS, Outstanding Corn Farmer Renato M. Frias of Trento, ADS, Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur Irenea R. Hitgano of JANICAHH Food Products from Trento, Agusan del Sur, and Outstanding Coconut Farmer Narciso Moresca of Barobo, Surigao del Sur.

Another awardee was Lilibeth S. Arce of Surigao City who was recognized as the year’s Outstanding Rural Woman.

The individual awardees received plaques/certificates of recognition as well as cash prizes while the LGU awardees received plaques of recognition and agricultural projects.

DA-Caraga Field Operations Chief Rebecca R. Atega lauded the awardees for bringing honor to the region and for setting a good example to other stakeholders. “Your exemplary performance has contributed a lot to all that the agriculture industry in the region has accomplished. May you continue to serve our country well,” she said.