2 OPA personnel awarded as Outstanding AEW

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – Engr. Johanna Dizon and Mr. Rolando Almario, Jr. of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) were among the Outstanding Agriculture Extension Workers (AEW) awardees in the recently-concluded 2015 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awarding Ceremony held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila last April 20.

Mr. Almario, provincial techno-demo coordinator of OPA, who was surprised for being nominated and later on awarded with such recognition said, “Talagang hindi ko naman ine-expect yung award na iyun. Sa dinami-dami ng agricultural technologists sa ating probinsya, na-surprise ako na isa ako sa ni-nominate ng region for that award. This award is indeed, a blessing to me.”

For Engr. Dizon, provincial research and engineering coordinator of OPA, this award continues to inspire her to do better, this being her second time to receive such an award, the first time was last year. “It pays off talaga, this award serves as a bonus for us and this also challenges us para lalo pa naming pagpursigihan yung dati na naming ginagawa,” she added.

Ms. Imelda Inieto, provincial agriculturist, said that in Bataan, there are 75 AEWs deployed in Rice Banner Program, four of them were awarded, two from the OPA and the others were from the municipalities of Dinalupihan and Hermosa. They were chosen based on their accomplishments and contributions in the Increased Rice Production.

“Yung dalawa from OPA, ginagawa nila yung limang categories, involved sila sa mga activities such as Palay Checkfield School, research projects for the next generation, they also support Rice Crop Manager IT-based technology sa rice production ng IRRI (International Rice Resaerch Institute), nag-paparticipate din sila sa Philippine Rice Information System Management at sa Farm Mechanization Program ng probinsya,” Ms. Inieto claimed.