DA honors outstanding individuals and agri groups at Rice Achievers Awards 2019
To recognize outstanding rice-producing institutions, groups, and individuals for their contributions in the country’s food sufficiency thrust, the Department of Agirculture (DA) held the Rice Achievers Awards 2019 last Nov. 27 at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall in Quezon City.
The annual event started in 2012 and is hosted by the National Rice Program, the Agricultural Training Institute ( AT I ) , National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and BSWM. It celebrates innovations and technologies in the rice industry as key in attaining food security and sustainability in the country.
The awarding body gave Special Recognition to four luminaries who have made significant contribution to the development of rice industry in the country.
These include Sen. Cynthia Villar, cited as “Champion of Philippine Agriculture,” for Passing the Rice Competitiveness Fund under the Rice Tariffication Law ( R. A. 11203) which will enable rice farmers to be productive and competitive. She was also cited for passing noteworthy agriculture legislation, namely, Amendment to the Fisheries Code to prevent deter, illegal, unreported fishing (R.A. 10654); Farm Tourism Law ( R. A 10816), which paved the way for the establishment of farm schools all over the country; the SIDA Law for the Sugar Industry ( R. A 10659); the Anti Agricultural Smuggling Law ( R. A 10845); Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund ( R. A 10848); Free Irrigation Service Act ( R. A 10969); and Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act (R.A 10817).
In her a video message, the senator shared, “Rest assured that the government, for its part, will continue its effort to help farmers through the distribution of inbred and hybrid seeds to rice-producing provinces, continue extension training, fast- track distribution of farm machinery, and increase accessibility of loans all for the benefit of rice farmers. It is my mission to make our farmers competitive and profitable.”
The other top awardees were Dr. Bruce Tolentino, Dr. Santiago Obien and DA Assistant Secretary Andrew Villacorta.
Tolentino, who served as Deputy Director General of International Rice Research Institute from 2012 to 2018, received the “Lifetime Contributor Award.”
Obien, the first director of The Philippine Rice Research Institute, got the “Legacy Award” for leading the country’s main rice research and development center.
Villacorta, who is retiring from the DA after 41 years of service, received the “Service Excellence Award.”
DA Secretary William Dar led the awarding ceremony. In his keynote message, he reiterated the need for rice adequacy and climate-resilient agriculture.
“It is my vision to see a productive, globally competitive, and resilient Philippine agriculture that gives prosperity to farmers. This has been our battlecry and we will do what must be done to make that vision a reality,” he said.
The Rice Achievers Awards also recognized the Top 10 rice-producing provinces, who each received P4 million worth of project grants. These were: Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Cagayan, Bukidnon, Zambales, Lanao Del Norte and Davao Oriental.
Ten irrigators’ associations were also awarded P1 million worth of project grants each, for effectively maintaining the national and communal irrigation systems. They are: Penaranda Irrigators’ Association (Penaranda, Nueva Ecija), Palacatian Irrigators’ Association (Pavia, Iloilo), Kasanag Farmers Irrigators’ Multi- purpose Cooperative ( San Jose, Ormoc City), Evergreen Malamboon Farmers Irrigators’ Association ( Mahayag, Zamboanga Del Sur), Poblacion Banaybanay Division A Pilot Irrigators’ Association ( Davao Oriental), UgasanJuanico Irrigators’ Association ( Banate, Iloilo), Tagbawto- Hilusig Communal Irrigators’ Association (Hilongos, Leyte), Azusano Irrigators’ Association (Azusano, Zamboanga Sibugay), Taytayan Irrigators’ Association (Cateel, Davao Oriental), and Kamalaka Irrigators’ Association (Cabadbaran, Agusan Del Norte).
Lastly, six small water impounding system farmers’ associations (SWISA) were awarded P1 million worth of project grants each: Association of United Farmers and Irrigators of Duplas Inc. (San Juan, La Union), Lucban Small Water Irrigation System Association (Benito Soliven, Isabela), Masalipit Small Water Impounding System Association Inc. (San Rafael, Bulacan), Durog Irrigators Association ( Miag- ao, Iloilo), Pansul United Farmers Association ( Guindulman, Bohol), and Upper Buyogan Small Water Impounding System Association. (Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay).
“REST ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO HELP FARMERS THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF INBRED AND HYBRID SEEDS TO RICE-PRODUCING PROVINCES, CONTINUE EXTENSION TRAINING, FAST-TRACK DISTRIBUTION OF FARM MACHINERY, AND INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OF LOANS ALL FOR THE BENEFIT OF RICE FARMERS. IT IS MY MISSION TO MAKE OUR FARMERS COMPETITIVE AND PROFITABLE.”