For 2007, PCARRD’s Techno Gabay Program (TGP) kicked off with the launching of a Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center Social Action Center-Northern Quezon (SAC-NQ) in Gen. Nakar, Quezon on January 12. The launch was in collaboration with the Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (STARRDEC).
FITS SAC-NQ is the second non-government organization (NGO)-based FITS center in Quezon province and 14th center established in Region IV. It is an offshoot of PCARRD and University of the Philippines Los Banos’ (UPLB) project with SAC-NQ to rehabilitate calamity-stricken agricultural areas in Brgy. Boboin Infanta, Quezon, currently being coordinated by PCARRD.
The FITS center will focus on corn and other high-value crops as priority commodities. SAC-NQ is an NGO which manages Catholic schools in the Real-Infanta-Gen. Nakar (REINA) area.
In his welcome address, SAC-NQ coordinator Deacon Mario Van Loon, mentioned that PCARRD’s effort to establish a FITS Center in the REINA area gives the people a whole new confidence to the government after the 2004 calamity. “I never had any working relation with the government. PCARRD and UPLB made all the difference when they extended assistance to help our farmers. My perspective of the government has totally changed,” he remarked.
Forty participants attended the launching ceremony. Also present were PCARRD Deputy Executive Director for Institution Development and Resource Management, Dir. Richard M. Juanillo; Director for Technology Outreach and Promotion, Dr. Bessie M. Burgos; Consortium Director of STARRDEC, Dr. Enrico P. Supangco; and STARRDEC TGP Coordinator, Ms. Ma. Ciejay J. Calara.