A total of 111 participants attended SM Foundation Inc.’s (SMFI) Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) dualtech training at the City Farm Stead in Barangay Talay, Dumaguete City. They are among the 131 who attended the program orientation when the program was launched.
The 111 participants, who make up Batch 163, received their certificates of completion at the covered court of Barangay Talay, Dumaguete City. In cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP Project Development Office), Batch 163 was able to come up with four Sustainability Plans, which were presented during the Graduation Ceremony, namely: Cadawinonan Farming Association’s Production of Siling Demonyo; Sweet Corn Farming Association’s Sweet Corn Production; Junob Farmers Association’s Okra Production; and Talay Pantawid Farm’s Eggplant Production in Barangay Talay.
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, who graced the activity, stated that he will improve and continue the demo farm to promote agritourism in the city. Also present were SMFI AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Cristie Angeles, Savemore Dumaguete Assistant Store Manager Arnel Moso, DSWD SLP Project Development Officer Jesse Jan Plaza, Barangay Talay Captain Hon. Lilia Batalan and City Agriculturist Alberto Bael.
Meanwhile in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the 164th batch of KSK Farmers’ Training Program participants successfully completed their training. From the original 64 participants who attended the orientation and program launch, the number increased to 106.
The demo farm was at Kap. Toti Farm in Barangay Dita, Santa Rosa, Laguna. Farm produce, such as cucumber, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, patola, kangkong and honey dew were harvested during the harvest festival.
Guests who attended the harvest festival were: Joel Aala, city councilor and chairman on Committee on Agriculture; Godofredo de la Rosa, Barangay Dita chairman; Joselito Batitis, city agricultural head; Julie Fontanilla, City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) representative; Edesa Sibug, SM City Santa Rosa Assistant mall manager; Pamela Baun, SM City Santa Rosa PR manager; Melba Lyn Bitones, SM Supermarket store manager; and Angeles.
The guests who attended the graduation ceremony were: First District of Laguna Rep. Arleen Arcillas; Danilo Fernandez, city mayor of Santa Rosa, Arnold Arcillas, city vice mayor of Santa Rosa; de la Rosa; Judith Hasil, CSWD head; Batitis; Marius Cortez, SM City Santa Rosa Mall manager; Bitones Yolly Gabuat, SM Supermarket operations manager; and Angeles.