Twenty (20) more Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) recipients from the towns of Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Badoc, and the Cities of Batac and Laoag, Ilocos Norte were trained by Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in partnership with the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1) on agricultural production and food processing technologies at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.  

Animal production technologies on native chicken, cattle, and goat were selected by this group in previous tech briefing. The training on animal science  was delivered by experts namely Mr. Russel B. Barrameda and Mr. Terson C. Casi, from DMMMSU’s Colleges of Agriculture. Food processing experts Ms. Erlinda Q. Balancio and Ms. Joana Marie E. Abanes provided hands-on training on chicken and tomato processing with while Ms. Balancio discussed food safety and good manufacturing practices prior to the demonstration.  Prof. Victoria N. Malaya, DMMMSU- Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) and BP2 Project Leader, assisted the participants on business planning.

Mr. Danilo Arado, Senior Agriculturist from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) of Ilocos Norte, was in full support recognizing DMMMSU’s role as training provider for Ilocos Norte recipients. For his closing remarks, Mr. Ronald Bustos, Extension Head of DMMMSU-South La Union Campus, highlighted the journey and how far the BP2 project has gone since its inception. He also acknowledged the Department of Agriculture and DMMMSU training team for a successful collaboration:

“The Ilocos Norte leg officially completes the regional scope of the BP2 project but I hope the BP2 does not end with knowledge and skills provision — this is just the beginning. The true measure of BP2 is how many of you will use the technologies and will enjoy the positive returns whether in your finances or in the quality of your life.” (RBustos)