The consultative forum attended by almost two hundred stakeholders and abaca farmers substantially laid down its comprehensive, proactive program with its“prelude”prepared by the Office of Research Services headed by its energetic and indefatigable Director Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, to wit:
“The First Abaca Stakeholders and Farmers Consultative Forum offers opportunities for open constructive dialogue among stakeholders concerned with abaca agriculture and natural fiber production. The consultative meeting provides a unique avenue for abaca fiber producers, researchers, scientists, extentionists, and government representatives to explore possibilities for working together towards more sustainable environment-friendly and economically viable partnership for the future.”
The agencies and institutions which participated in this successfully concluded “abaca stakeholders and farmers consultative forum” were: Congressional District Office, Office of the Provincial Governor of Catanduanes, Catanduanes State University (CSU), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Fiber and Development Authority (PhilFida) and Pinoy-Lingap-Damayan Multipurpose Cooperative (PLDC).
The one-day event was attended by barangay-clustered abaca farmers and stakeholders from the six (6) municipalities ravaged by tempest Nina, almost two years ago— December 25, 2016—, namely: Baras, Bato, Gigmoto, San Andres, San Miguel, and Virac.
After the welcome address delivered by CSU President, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, a message was delivered by Gov. Joseph C. Cua.
Cong. Cesar V. Sarmiento delivered the keynote address after the “Overview of the Abaca Stakeholders and Farmers Consultative Forum” was given by Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, CSU-Director for Research Services.
During the forum proper, resource persons from various agencies and institutions presented their respective assigned eight as follows:
- Loren Garcia, OIC, Provincial Fiber Office—“Status of Abaca Industry in Catanduanes (PhilFIDA)”; (2) Ms. Nelia Teves, OIC, OPAG, represented by Mr. Tabuzo—“Status of Abaca Rehabilitation Program in Catanduanes; (3) Dr. Minerva I. Isorena, CSU-SUC President III—“Understanding the Ecosystem of Abaca for Sustainability”; (4) Mr. Jaime V. Cabrera, DOST Provincial Director—“IPM and Abaca Disease Management: An Advocacy;”
(5) Mrs. Nena V. Santos, CSU-Science Research Specialist II—“Status of Abaca Hybrid Research Projects in Catanduanes”; (6) Dr. Aurora E. Araojo, CSU, Professor VI, Co-Program Leader, CHED-NAFI SURMABIOCON—“Socio-Economic Profile of Abaca Farmers in Catanduanes”; (7) Mr. Antonio Jimenez, Jr., General Manager, PLDC; and (8) Mr. Heginio A. Baldano, DTI, Provincial Director, represented by Ms. Belma Sorreta—“Business Opportunities for Abaca Industry.” (To be continued)
