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
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.


