DA bares 2008 Gawad Saka awardees
ROXAS CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has named the twelve outstanding farmers and fisherfolks and five outstanding farm and fishing groups winners for this year's Gawad Saka search.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will give a total of P2.19 million in cash awards to awardees on November 19 during a program at the Manila Hotel.
The Outstanding Individual Achievers in the Gawad Saka 2008, who will each receive P120,000 and a Presidential Citation and Trophy are Claudio Agcaoili of Vintar, Ilocos Norte as this year's Outstanding Rice Farmer; Edilberto Bitacura of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur as the Outstanding Corn Farmer; Preciosa Maturan of Bayawan City in Negors Oriental as the Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer; Benjamin Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur as the Outstanding Coconut Farmer; Ricardo Tolentino of Laoag City as the Outstanding High-Value Cash Crop Farmer; Juboken Agri-Enterprises Inc. of Camalig Albay as the Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur; Renato Alfaro of Cauayan City, Isabela as the Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Culture); Restituto Del Rosario of Morong, Bataan as the Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Capture); Annie Sitjar of Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur as the Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Rosita Naje of Castilla, Sorsogon as the Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk; Ireneo Espartero and family of Dujali of Davao del Norte as the Outstanding Farmer/Fisherfolk Family; and Louella Rowena de Jesus of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit as the Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.
The Outstanding Organization Achievers that will each receive a P150,000 Project Grant, Presidential Trophy and Citation are the Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization of Monkayo, Compostela Valley as the Outstanding Young Farmer/ Fisherfolk Organization; Barucboc Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Quezon, Isabela as the Outstanding Rural Improvement Club; Tupi Integrated Agricultural Cooperative of Tupi, South Cotabato as the Outstanding City/Municipal Agricultural Fishery Council; and, Camarines Norte Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) as the Outstanding PAFC.
The Gawad Saka Awards is an annual search for outstanding achievers in agriculture and fisheries who represent the various stakeholders of the community --farmers, fisherfolk, farm communities, scientists and organizations, as well as DA and local government employees.
The project aims to give due recognition to individuals and institutions whose exemplary accomplishments in their respective fields of endeavor and contribution to the country's agricultural development are deemed worthy of emulation. (PIA/A.Lumaque)