By Cherry Mhae Palicte/Philippine News Agency
DAVAO CITY — The City of Davao was adjudged as this year’s Regional Gawad Saka champion in recognition of its effort and contribution in improving the agricultural industry in the region.
Likewise, the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley were declared the first runner-up and second runner-up Gawad Saka awardees, respectively.
During the awarding ceremony here on Friday, Davao City farmers also captured seven major awards out of the 15 categories. Leading this year’s awardees in Davao City are Susan Lao as Outstanding Corn Farmer; Genovivo Cajes – Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer; Evangeline Novela – Outstanding Coconut Farmer; and Evangeline Salvador – Outstanding Fisherfolk (Capture Fisheries).
Special Citation was given to Barangay Tacunan Barangay Food Terminal as Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (LGU); Farmers Development Cooperative, the Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (Non-LGU); and Janel Juaton as Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk.
Agapito Regulacion, chief of Davao Region Central Experiment Station (DaRCES), is the recipient of the 2019 Regional Gawad Saka Award for Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.
Also recognized during the awarding ceremony was Charita Puentespina for her “exemplary and remarkable” achievements as Outstanding Rural Woman in Davao Region.
Eleven Municipal Agricultural Extension Workers in Davao Region were also recognized for their exemplary contribution to the rice sector.
The awardees received plaques and cash prizes.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Ricardo Oñate, Jr. thanked the agriculture stakeholders, both in the local government and private sectors, for their continued support to the agriculture sector.
Oñate urged the awardees to continue their efforts especially in combatting challenges on climate change.
“We salute your efforts in providing food for our table despite the challenge of climate change. We in DA will continue to listen and act into your requests and demands,” he said.
Representing Mayor Sara Duterte, Vice-Mayor Bernard Al-ag commended the winners and urged them to continue their work in helping the region’s agriculture industry.
Al-ag also encouraged the farmers and fisherfolk to sell their produce at the newly-opened Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) located in Daliao Toril, Davao City.
“This terminal complex bridges the producers’ need for maximum benefits and the consumers’ need for quality-based and affordable agricultural products,” he said.
With this year’s theme “Magsasaka’t Mangingisdang Pilipino, Saludo and Buong Bansa sa Sipag, Tibay, at Lakas Ninyo”, the search has become the highest form of recognition to deserving farmers and fisherfolk in the country who excel in the various sectors of agriculture.
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