EASTERN VISAYAS GAWAD SAKA AWARDEES

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EASTERN VISAYAS GAWAD SAKA AWARDEES!

Despite the devastation that Yolanda wrought to Eastern Visayas, the Agriculture sector has proven its resiliency as manifested during the recent awarding of the Eastern Visayas Gawad Saka winners.

Topping the awardees was Dr. Jose I. Bacusmo, President of the Visayas State University (VSU) at Visca, Baybay, Leyte who was adjudged as this year’s Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.

The Maasin Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Federation bagged the Outstanding RIC Award while Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin D. Gerona and Family of Sogod, Southern Leyte won as Outstanding Farm/Family. 

Mr. Arnulfo Buzon of Brgy. Juaton, Ormoc City was cited as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer while Ms. Gliceria Emoylan of Tabon-tabon, Leyte was chosen as Outstanding Rural Woman.

Commendations were bestowed to Ormoc City former Mayor Eric Codilla, owner-proprietor of AOG Farm, as Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur and to Ormoc City’s Independent Component City Agricultural Fishery Council (ICCAFC) as Outstanding AFC. 

Moreover, the Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) Award went to BFT Tomas Oppus of Southern Leyte for the LGU category and to Our Lady of Remedies Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Baybay, Leyte for the non-LGU category. 

The Outstanding Small Animal Raiser was awarded to Mr. Patricio A. Arradaza of Ormoc City and the Outstanding Rural Woman by Ms Anna Lebite of Allen, Northern Samar.

Rice Achiever Awards were also given to various outstanding rice farmers and Agricultural technicians from the provinces of Biliran and Southern Leyte.

As posted in the DA Regional Field Office website, the VSU Horticulture Department was also cited for showcasing Urban Gardening and Landscaping Technology at the DA-8 Plant Nursery which is now an attraction at the DA-RFO 8 compound. 

The Regional Gawad Saka winners will represent the Region in the national search.

The Gawad Saka, the search for outstanding Filipino farmers, is an annual undertaking of the Department of Agriculture which aims to give due recognition and pay tribute to dedicated individuals and institutions whose exemplary accomplishments contributed to the country’s agricultural development. opt