• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Department of Education-Negros Island Region distributed P48 million in program support funds during the kickoff of the first-ever Farm School Fiesta Nov. 7, at Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.
A total of 46 approved farm schools across the NIR received P1 million each, alongside P1 million each for the schools’ division offices (SDOs) of Talisay and Guihulngan to establish their own farm schools.
DepEd-NIR director Ramir Uytico said the agency will strictly monitor the implementation and the use of the funds allocated to the schools.
“Before I release the P1 million, I release a memorandum emphasizing the guidelines, and highlighting that the funds shall be spent for training-related purposes and should not be used to buy cements, build classrooms, or building,” he stressed.
“It is for training alone because it is where we lack. When our school spends money on ingredients, things, for the farm school fiesta, which are part of the workshops, then it is allowed,” Uytico added.
He led the establishment of the country’s DepEd-run farm schools in the region, in accordance with the Rural Farm School Act, which aims to deliver an alternative mode of secondary education.
Core specializations under the program include agri-crop production, organic agriculture production, animal production, aquaculture, agri-based food processing, as well as unique specializations, including rubber production, essential oil production, and cacao production.
“With the partnership of DTI and DOST, in the coming months or years, we can come up with a level-up kind of establishment or operation of farm schools. For example, if their product is a banana, we don’t want the students to just sell bananas. With the help of DTI and DOST, they can create products out of bananas, as you can see in the booths,” Uytico added.
The agricultural products, student innovations, and best practices of the 46 farm schools in the region were showcased during the two-day farm fiesta.
The 46 farm schools under the 22 SDOs of DepEd-NIR are Alangilan FS, Sum-ag FS, Ramon Torres Malingin FS, Lonoy National High School, Banaybanay Rural FS, Minaba Rural FS, Kalumboyan Rural FS, Remedios Gargantiel Gaudiel Rural FS, Lunoy Rural FS, Cabalayongan Rural FS, Mabini FS, Alimatoc FS, Masulog FS, Magsaysay Memorial Integrated FS, and Floro T. Bongco FS.
Other beneficiary schools are the Mambagaton Farm School, Paloypoy Integrated FS, Tabugon FS, La Granja FS, Cansilayan FS, Esteban Jalandoni FS, Manghanoy FS, Juan Gequillana FS, Libas FS, Agboy Integrated FS, Andres Gumban Memorial FS, Laga-an FS, Bulwangan FS, Dr. Ismael M. Reinoso Memorial FS, Payao FS, Ponciana Olac Olasa FS, Eva J. Montilla FS, Talacdan FS, Bago FS, Tara FS, Amio FS, Colonia Divina Integrated FS, Bulanon FS, Sagay City FS, Sagay City Eco-Zone FS, Quezon FS, Angeles J. Montinola FS, Maricalum FS, Saguing FS, Apolinario Gerarda Arnaiz FS, and Victorias City FS. | TMD
