TAGBILARAN CITY, Sept 28 (PIA)–In preparation of a training center for teachers and students taking the agriculture track in the K 12 implementation, Regional Development Council-7 led by Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto pushed for the inclusion in 2016 budget the proposed Bohol Agricultural Training and Research Center (BATRC).
Via RDC Resolution No 33, (s. 2015), the regional council endorsed the P 163.309 million BATRC for funding by the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and the Environment and Natural Resources in the calendar year 2016-2018.
The lot of the proposed 150 hectares school farm in San Pascual Ubay, is currently owned by the Department of Agriculture and is currently used by the DepEd pursuant to an agreement stipulated by a Memorandum between them and DA signed in 1996.
At this, the proposed funding from the DepEd to complete the project is P139.31, the amount to cover advocacy and social mobilization, infrastructure development. curriculum development and enhancement, acquisition of equipment, hiring of personnel, training and accreditation, research and development and monitoring and evaluation.
Meanwhile, from the DA, project proposed funds for the rehabilitation of farm to market roads, bridges and culverts, trainings on natural farming technology, post harvest handling and food processing which is worth P23.09 million.
From the DENR, a P900,000 fund is proposed for the tree planting component in the site.
The project aims to provide sustainable quality training and research programs on natural farming technology, post harvest handling and food processing, according to the RDC.
When endorsing the project, the RDC argues that the project is supportive of two objectives of the updated Regional Development Plan.
“It improves access to quality education and training through the provision of adequate education facilities and resources while it also builds the capacities of service providers to effectively deliver education services while the center also increase productivity of the agriculture sector through the improvement of the agricultural extension services'” RDC said.
Project proponents eye teachers who would undergo training in the center and senior high school students who would pursue technical-vocational livelihood tracks, which according to an initial DepED survey, numbers approximately in 2016-2017.
Moreover, proponent, Bohol PDC as pushed by its private sector representatives, sees agricultural communities to be able to avail themselves of the center’s technical services. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)