In support to the programs and projects of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that aim to provide diverse services to local communities, Central Philippines State University (CPSU) signs memorandum of agreement with DAR – Negros Occidental 2 last January 29, 2021 at CPSU Main Campus, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
In the said agreement, with the radio station of CPSU soon to open, the Radyo Muscovado, the University will provide free airtime to the agency tagged as “Radyo Agraryo” to advertise and promote its programs and services. Likewise, the University shall provide venue, facilities and equipment as well as expertise of trainers in extending various matured agricultural technologies existing in the University to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
In the initial plan, PARPO 1 Enrique Paderes stated that the radio program will be one of their means in reaching a greater mass of audience to feature the various support services and programs that their agency provides. Particularly, the emphasis is on procedures and requirements on how to avail those bundles of services.
Aside from this, the agency has also partnered with the University for the drafting and launching of the training modules both for ARBs and non-ARBs such as the Titulo Dus, the Southern Echo, and the recently concluded writeshop on developing Agri-Tekno Komiks.
Paderes stressed that they have identified CPSU as one of the leading Universities in Negros in terms of generating effective and efficient agricultural technologies and practices. Thus, they consider the partnership as a window for multitudes of opportunities to create more relevant, practical and useful programs and projects that can benefit the farmers in the communities for an improved quality of living.
In response, CPSU President Dr. Aladino Moraca expressed the University’s willingness to collaborate in any project that will help improve agricultural productivity for better livelihood opportunities to the farmers in the local community. Especially in this time of pandemic where farmers are mostly affected, initiatives through partnerships like this will greatly help in decreasing rural poverty.
Likewise, he acknowledges the huge benefits it will bring back to the University. An opportune time to hone the skills and talents of students and personnel into concrete outputs that are essential in strengthening the University’s core functions in research, instruction, extension and production.
“With the participation of students and faculty in this CPSU-DAR partnership, this will provide a promising avenue for the development of their skills and knowledge that are translated into different strategies and initiatives that could be useful in addressing urgent needs of farmers and students to thrive amidst the adversities brought by this pandemic. With CPSU and DAR working side by side, this will expedite the process of extending life-changing programs and agricultural technologies in the countryside,” Dr. Moraca added.
Signatories in the said MOA were Dr. Moraca, Dr. Paderes and PARCO 2 Arnulfo Figueroa. Also present to witness the said activity were Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Edna Villaruel, VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Fernando Abello, Development Communication and Information Office Director Dr. Flora Carpio, Instructional Media Production and Development Director Dr. Josephine Asuncion Emoy, Training Services Director Ma’am Mary Grace Noreen Leduna, Dr. Mary Ann Dagunan, Dr. Mae Flor Posadas, faculty, staff and selected students of CPSU and DAR personnel.
By: J.A. Emoy