DA-RFO 5 turned over 4WD tractor, harvester to Catanduanes State U

Category : Administration | Sub Category : Governance Posted on 2021-07-07 09:37:30

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 5 in Camarines Sur through Director Rodel P. Tornilla, Regional Executive Director, turned-over a 4WD Tractor and Combine Harvester to Catanduanes State University (CatSU) in Virac, Catanduanes on July 6, 2021, in collaboration with the TGP Partylist, the Provincial Government of Catanduanes, and the Congressional Office.
 
Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, SUC President III of CatSU, received the farm equipment in a formal ceremony at the CatSU lobby attended by Cong. Jose “Bong” J. Teves Jr. of the TGP Partylist, Cong. Hector S. Sanchez of the Lone District of Catanduanes represented by Ms Camille Andrea Gianan, and Gov. Joseph C. Cua represented by Provincial Administrator, Lemuel P. Surtida. Rev. Fr. Eric John T. Rojas, Asst. Chancellor of the Diocese of Virac officiated the blessing during the turn-over rites of the said farm equipment. Present also were representatives from the local print and broadcast media in the province, the Board of Regents, Hon. Luzviminda Oropesa, Hon. SerelinoTasarra, and Hon. Renz MickenlyTanael, University officials, Deans, heads of offices, faculty, and non-teaching staff.
 
In accepting the equipment, Dr. Azanza in thanking the DA along with the TGP Partylist, the PLGU, and the Congressional Office, said that the four-wheel drive tractor and the combine harvester will be a big contribution to the type of learning that our students will be able to enjoy in our University. “Learning by doing is one of the best way to teach our students,” he said while quoting John Dewey. The President stressed that the mechanized farm equipment will be intended particularly for the students, or those who are in the agriculture program. 
 
“Partnership is really very important… this time with our TGP Congressman Bong Teves Jr., Cong. Sanchez of the lone district of Catanduanes, and Gov. Joseph Cua, this shows that in partnership with these government agencies and the private sectors, we can accomplish a lot for the university,” Dr. Azanza said.
 
He assured them that his pro-student administration will devote 100% for them, especially managing their own funds subject to existing government accounting rules and regulations, so they could decide on what projects they would like to spend their own money. He announced that as of now, and for the very first time in history of the University, a Student Desk manned by a dedicated Job Order to attend to various concerns of the students has been set up inside the Office of the President so as for them to gain full access to information and services directly from the Office.
 
Dr. Azanza also took the opportunity to inform the public that with the reported 200 students who were not enrolled due to lack of smart phones, tablets, etc, he secured from a private sector its willingness to donate these IT equipment that the students could use in their online education. “I was surprised by the very positive response, “he said. On that note, he stressed before the public that he is personally against SOP, and will never accept SOP. “If you want to donate something to the University, donate it legitimately so that the students will be the ones directly who will benefit from your generous donation,” he said.
 
The President added that he secured additional set of four-wheel drive tractor and combine harvester this time for Panganiban Campus from Cong. Bong Teves and the DA-RFO 5. Dr. Azanza likewise said that an ambulance for the University would be requested from outside donors as well, while he emphasized that the development of a Smart Campus under his term at the University that will largely benefit student center and the learning environment will be implemented. “We will continue to modernize the University, and I know we can only do this if we work hand in hand with our leaders in the government…the University must be technology-driven,” he stressed.
 
“I assure you that every centavo, every peso that we receive will be directed in all honesty and accountability for the benefit of the students… it will be done with transparency and integrity and the students will have access to all information that they need,” Dr. Azanza added. He then reiterated his gratitude to the DA in Bicol led by Director Tornilla, and the rest of the partner officials, Cong. Teves, Gov. Cua, and Cong. Sanchez.
 
Meanwhile, Cong. Teves in his message assured the University of his full support in his capacity in Congress and as a fellow Catandunganon in terms of farm mechanization of its agriculture department and for the students to be inclined to modern agriculture. He said that he has been advocating food sufficiency and support to education especially agriculture not just in his native province of Catanduanes but also throughout the rest of Bicol provinces and in the country.
 
Cong. Teves likewise gave the CatSU community with a pledge of another set of 4WD Tractor and Combine Harvester sometime in August this year, as his commitment to Dr.Azanza’s request for another similar equipment for Panganiban Campus.
 
On the other hand, Cong. Sanchez through his representative, Ms Gianan, said that the donated equipment will allow CatSU to help our own farmers move forward through the path of self-sufficiency and modernization. “I will always remain committed to improving the lives of our farmers, like the innovative overhead irrigation system in Caramoran, whose use as a test bed I lobbied in Congress.To Dr. Azanza, should you have any more requests to build up CatSU’s research and development capabilities for the benefit of the community, I will be more than happy to assist. Know that my doors are always open to help anyone in need,” the Congressman stressed.
 
Gov. Cua represented by Prov. Admin. Lemuel Surtida said that the donated four-wheel drive tractor and combine harvester would not just be useful for the University but to the farmers as well who could likewise gain access to said equipment. Through CatSU, our farmers will be assisted in their farming activities efficiently and help better our local economy. The Governor thanked DA Secretary William Dar, and Director Tornilla for their efforts extended, and to Dr. Azanza wherein the latter was assured of the Provincial Local Government’s support for the various CatSU projects, especially those geared towards the best interest of Catandunganons.
 
In his message, Director Tornilla of DA, did not fail to mention also CHED’s Bicol Regional Director, Dr. Freddie T. Bernal who once served as the University’s officer-in-charge and who, he said, was also part of securing process due the equipment. He also acknowledged the new SUC President III, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, in whom he bestowed in fitting ceremonies the Certificate of Award to the University the One (1) Unit 4WD Tractor (35 HP) and One (1) Unit Combine Harvester (60 HP) provided under the DA Rice Program.
 
Dir. Tornilla said that CatSU, being one of the top producers of agriculture graduates, deserves support to uplift even more the quality of its agriculture graduates since they are considered future leaders of the agriculture sector. “This will not be fully attained if they (students) would always be on theoretical part. There ought to be some practical part in their learning, and this equipment will be very useful to upgrade their know-how and skills as agriculture students,” Dir. Tornilla added.
 
He emphasized that there is a need to strengthen the agriculture sector in Catanduanes being the smallest province in Bicol region, and this is where the academe like CatSU comes in to prepare the next generation of leaders in agriculture. Dir. Tornilla called for strong partnership between the University and the DA in which he assured of his agency’s willingness and full support to CatSU’s agricultural development programs.

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