Bataraza, Palawan – The country's largest province recently launched its 11th Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in the remote town of Bataraza last March 13, 2014 to better reach and provide useful technologies and information to farmers and fisherfolks dwelling in the area.
Together with the team from the Western Philippines University (WPU), PCAARRD assisted the Bataraza local government unit (LGU) representatives in inaugurating the Batazara FITS center to the farmers and farmer-leaders participating in the program.
Welcoming the participants was councilor Ed Sagum, member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Bataraza. Sagum told the farmers that the services offered at the FITS center will equip them with knowledge and information to become more productive. He urged the farmers to use the information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in their farming. "Ang mga babasahing ito ay ating sandata. Hindi tayo magbubunga kung hindi sapat ang ating kaalaman," said the councilor.
Meanwhile Dr. Elsa Manarpaac, WPU president underscored in her message the important role of farmers in sustaining the life of the center. "Ang mga magsasaka ang buhay ng FITS center na ito," said Manarpaac as she encouraged the farmers to support and access the services of the center.
WPU is a partner-member agency (PMA) of PCAARRD in pushing research and development activities in the Palawan province. Also, PMA is PCAARRD's approach to hasten the implementation of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP), its technology transfer modality, at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels.
The FITS center houses other TGP technology transfer components such as the Magsasaka-Siyentista (MS), IEC, and information and communication technology (ICT) services for better access by farmers.
Bataraza is in the southernmost tip of Palawan mainland with a total land area of 957 km². Its main industries include farming, fishing, and nickel mining and processing. As an infant center, PCAARRD has provided FITS Bataraza with a collection of IEC materials as well as funding to immediately initialize the basic services for its clients and stakeholders.