Agriculture has been recognized worldwide as the tool that transports humankind towards prosperity and development. Hence, it is dubbed as the profession that feeds the nation. Being the flagship course of the University, it aims to nurture and develop in the students their passion and fervor for agriculture as the country’s future workforce by translating it to engaged participation on the ground.
This is the goal of the Future Leaders of the Philippines (FLP), one of the recognized student organizations in CPSU, that aims to hone the students’ leadership skills mainly through agriculture.
With this, the FLP conducted its 8th Local Convention via zoom teleconferencing with the theme "Embracing 4.0 Agro-Revolution and New Normal Disciplines through Ingenuity and Creative Leadership” last March 16-17, 2021. This year’s event is directed on the important role of technology to bring revolutionary innovations in shaping the contemporary society.
The two-day event started with various virtual competitions that was participated by all the ten extension campuses of the University. These were the Landscape Gardening, Poster Making, Extemporaneous Speaking, Tour Guiding, Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet.
Engr. Edjie A. Solidarios, one of the distinguished speakers in the said event who is also an alumnus and a student leader of CPSU during his college days, talked about the topic focusing on cyber physical system, internet of things and networks as the core direction of industry 4.0. From this, he emphasized on the benefits it would bring to contribute to the minimization of world hunger. He likewise accentuated the significance of industrialization towards agriculture and how it aids in food production.
He further explained the challenges faced by the agricultural industry worldwide, the trends and technologies under agriculture and the significant role of the government on agri-innovations.
Hon. Jerzy Guanzon, Sangguniang Panglusod member of the City of Kabankalan also graced the said event. In his talk, he stressed on the significant impact of the youth in continuing the legacy of agriculture.
“Now is the time to challenge young people into farming, and to prioritize farming. Today’s technology will allow the produce to be tripled and will develop the country’s farming system despite the challenges that agriculture is facing,” Hon. Guanzon said.
For. Dominic Billen, FLP adviser, likewise gave his message that underscores the importance of harnessing the skills and talents of student leaders at their young age to help create a more secure future for them as the country’s future.
"Some say leaders are born and others claim that leaders are made; but for me whether a leader is born or made the most important is that he or she has the quality in passing to lead. Generations of today grow up with technology and this helps them perform their job more efficiently and effectively,” For. Billen said.
OSSA dean Dr. Pilipinas Ma. Jareño commended the FLP team for the successful event despite the challenges faced due to the pandemic, and stated that activities like this is essential in honing students’ potentials especially in inculcating positive values to them as future leaders such as sportsmanship, dependability, trustworthiness, optimism, unity, and teamwork, among others.
Part of the event were the series of video presentations on various agri-related programs organized and facilitated by the University such as the International Youth Congress Agroecology and Corn Festival 2019, the DA-Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives and Agriculture - Season-Long Climate Resiliency Farmers Field School Activities, Ceremonial Turn-Over and Graduation Program, the accomplishment report of the former FLP president Mr. Joemel Labrador, and the CPSU-wide Parliamentary Procedure graduates for AY 2019-2020.
Awarding of certificates to the winners and to all the participants in the event followed. The said event was hosted by the FLP - Kabankalan Campus (main) headed by president Neil Allen Guitguit, a third year BS-Electrical Engineering (BSEE) student.
By Sidney Ermeo, BSA III and J.A. Emoy