- February 1, 2024
- Provincial Agriculturist's Office of Oriental Mindoro
Farmers and fisherfolk come centerstage during the Araw ng Parangal held on November 13, 2023 at the Bulwagang Panlalawigan, Provincial Capitol Complex, Calapan City. The event celebrates the success of these individuals as exemplary farming practitioners and acknowledging their substantial contributions to the province’s food security.
The Provincial Government through the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office led by Provincial Agriculturist Christine M. Pine, organized three (3) awards and recognition activities that will bring the best out of each farmer and fisherfolk group. This includes the Provincial Rice Achievers’ Award, the Provincial Organic Agriculture Achievers’ Award and the Recognition for the Best Performing Bantay Dagat Group. Cash prizes ang plaques were awarded to the winners and participating individuals and groups.
The PRAA is a biennial activity of PAGO, and the 2023 edition saw the participation of 27 farmer contenders coming from the different municipalities of the province. Farmer contenders vied for the highest yield in inbred and hybrid categories. PAgO’s Rice Program implementors led by Mr. Venerando M. Sanchez, Jr., OIC Agro-Technology Resource Management Division; Engr. Jefte Bay-ongan, Provincial Rice Coordinator; and Ms. Leizel L. Grantoza, Provincial Rice Report Officer spearheaded the PRAA 2021.
In recognition of the outstanding contributions to the adoption and practice of organic farming, PAGO launched the inaugural Provincial Organic Agriculture Achievers Award (POAAA). The POAAA serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, and showcasing of best practices among OA practitioners. Outstanding OA practitioners are recognized in various categories such as Most Outstanding OA Young Farmer, Most Outstanding Small OA Farmer Individual, Most Outstanding OA Farmers’ Group. Engr. Christian M. Generato, OA Coordinator and Ms. Judy Ann Vallejo spearheaded the 1st POAAA. DA-MIMAROPA extends agri-input support to major awardees.
The recognition of best managed and best performing Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Council and Bantay Dagat Teams has been a regular undertaking of PAGO, however due to oil spill incident, the award and recognition was focused on the Bantay Dagat Groups. Furthermore, two MPAs in the province which were recently adjudged as winners in the 2023 PARA EL MAR Awards held at Mandaue City, Cebu were also given special citation and recognition during the Araw ng Parangal. The PARA EL MAR Awards is a national competition honoring the best locally managed MPAs and MPA networks in the country.
Validation process to determine the winners were conducted by PAGO personnel from August to October of this year.
Provincial Rice Achievers Awards
Inbred Category Winners:
Winner: Farmer: Mr. Patriotico N. Pachecho from Roxas (P60,000)
MAO: Ms. Nerissa C. Gutierrez (P17,500)
AEW: Mr. Domingo F. Galindez (P17,500)
2nd Place: Farmer: Mr. Crispulo H. Mutiangpili from Baco (P45,000)
MAO: Mr. Hilario R. Bacay (P12,500)
AEW: Ms. Sonia R. Bartolabac (P12,500)
3rd place: Farmer: Ms. Celina R. Valenton from Calapan (P30,000)
MAO: Ms. Lorelein Sevilla (P8,750)
AEW: Ms. Risha Joice P. Marasigan (8,750)
Hybrid Category Winners:
Winner: Farmer: Mr. Joel C. Amparo from Gloria (P60,000)
MAO: Mr. August F. Mantaring (P17,500)
AEW: Ms. Maria Pacita L. Magsisi (P17,500)
2nd Place: Farmer: Mr. Edilberto D. Faner from Bongabong (P45,000)
MAO: Mr. Gary Louie A. Sapinit (P12,500)
AEW: Ms. Ornalyn G. Angeles (P12,500)
3rd Place: Farmer: Mr. Guido C. Bagsic from Calapan City (P30,000)
MAO: Ms. Lorelein Sevilla (P8,750)
AEW: Ms. Grace T. Mante (P8,750)
1st Provincial Organic Agriculture Achievers Awards
Most Outstanding Small OA Farmer Individual:
Winner: Mr. Apolinario Villanueva from Bongabong (P35,000)
2nd Place: Mr. Dominador V. Remendado Jr. from Socorro (P25,000)
3rd Place: Mr. Jonjon B. Sarmiento from Victoria (P15,000)
Most Outstanding OA Young Farmer: Mr. Marvien Albufera from Naujan (P35,000)
Most Outstanding OA Farmers’ Group:
Winner: Mindoro Organic Farmers Association (P100,000)
2nd Place: Malugay Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (P50,000)
3rd Place: Mina De Oro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (P30,000)
Most Supportive Municipal Agriculturist: Mr. Gary Louie A. Sapinit from Bongabong (P15,000)
Most Supportive Organic Agriculture Focal Person: Mr. Greg C. Abrenica from Bongabong (P15,000)
Best Performing Bantay Dagat Group and Recognition of MPA Mangement Councils
Best Perfoming Bantay Dagat Group
Winner: Bantay Dagat Group of Gloria (P60,000)
2nd Place: Bantay Dagat Association of Naujan (P40,000)
3rd Place: San Teodoro Bantay Dagat Association (P30,000)
4th Place: Pola Bantay Dagat Federation (P25,000)
Bahaghari Bantay Dagat, Pinamalayan (P25,000)
5th Place: Mansalay Bantay Dagat Group (P20,000)
2023 PARA EL MAR Awardees
1st Runner-up Best Locally Managed MPA
Ranzo Fish Sanctuary, Ranzo, Pinamalayan
6th Runner-up Best Locally Managed MPA
Maasin Marine Protected Area, Maasin, Bulalacao