The National Apiculture Research, Training, and Development Institute (NARTDI) celebrated its 22nd Foundation Anniversary on October 4-6, 2023, anchored in the theme, “Buzzing Towards Sustainable Future: Bolstering Partnership, Inclusivity, and Innovation.”
The festivities started in a thanksgiving mass by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel De Leon, DMMMSU Chaplain, on October 4 at the NARTDI Conference Room. The celebration continued on the second day, October 5, at the International Convention Center for the awards and recognition ceremony.
Mayor Divina C. Fontanilla graced the celebration, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and partnership in strengthening the beekeeping industry.
“Our partnership will catapult us to our dreams for the beekeeping industry and will be one of the keys in fulfilling our visions for our one-town-one-product, Diro,” she stated.
Meanwhile, representing Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David, Executive Assistant Dr. Eleazar Belgica expressed his gratitude to NARTDI for transforming the beekeeping industry into a growing and sustainable sector.
“Your anniversary theme reflects the spirit of La Union PROBINSYAnihan, our collective goal with the community, working in solidarity for the cause of sustainable livelihood and economic growth in line with our vision to establish La Union to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025” he said.
Also, Dr. Joseph A. Panas, NARTDI Executive Director, spoke on the Institute’s accomplishments in research, extension, planning, and administrative services. He recognized the men and women of NARTDI and President Manuel for their contribution to the Institute’s success this year.
In a message delivered by Dr. Florentino M. Adame, DA RO1 OIC for Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, on behalf of DA Regional Executive Director Annie Q. Bares, assured NARTDI of the commitment of DA to support the undertakings of the Institute in the apiculture industry: “May through NARTDI, we can encourage more beekeepers, be able to provide financial aid for startups if there are available sources of funds, support training initiatives, resource allocation for research and development, and achieve quality benchmarks that can catalyze thriving beekeeping endeavors.”
During the awards and recognition program, recipients were honored across various categories, such as Major Award, Past Administrators, Service Award, and Special Award.
The three-day celebration concluded on October 6 with a team-building activity and personnel recognition at the DMMMSU-FRTI. The said activity aims to encourage teamwork among the personnel to improve motivation and productivity in the workplace.
NARTDI, formerly the Apiculture Training and Development Center (ATDC), was established at DMMMSU on September 27, 1991. The ATDC was then abolished by Republic Act 9151 in 2001, creating NARTDI. (By Lester Orpilla)
