Mindanao licensed agriculturists take oath in CdeO

Cagayan de Oro City, February 17, 2020 - More than 600 board passers of the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists (LEA) from six Mindanao regions took oath with the Professional Regulations Commission administered by Board of Agriculturist Vicente L. Domingo.

The inductees from regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will become members of the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, (PAA) Inc., a league of professional agriculturists in the country, which advocates rural development and sustainable Philippine agriculture.

Loui Cris Galope Lopos from Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan who earned a rating of 87.67 percent placed 9th in the November LEA 2019 is among the inductees.

Domingo, in his speech, reminded the newly licensed agriculturists with their noble task of providing food security for the nation.

He also assured that under the administration of DA Secretary William D. Dar, they can avail credit loan programs, up to Php500,000 each to start a consolidated farm enterprise, through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.

Further, he explained, that through Sec. Dar’s Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) loan program, young Filipinos, ages 18 to 30 years old can avail financial assistance payable in five years at zero percent interest.

Moreover, with Agrinegosyo individuals and institutions who are already engaged or are interested to establish micro and small agribusiness enterprises can loan up to Php15-million, payable in five years without interest.

“The said credit programs are part of the government’s strategies to address unemployment and the ageing population of Filipino farmers,” he added.

PAA Region-10 -

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Chapter facilitated the event headed by Carlota S. Madriaga, PAA-R10 President, who at the same time the DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations.

Madriaga said that regional LEA board passers oathtaking is the first regional chapter oathtaking in history, which will be followed by other regions nationwide.

“The initiative is favorable to most of the board passers. Aside from it can lessen their transportation cost, which is usually administered in Luzon, acquiring the certificate needed for the job application will be easier and convenient”, she added.

Also present in the event was PAA National Officer Arthur R. Baria, who also led the oathtaking of the new PAA members.(PR)