The Rice Achievers Awards 2019 was held last Nov. 27 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall in Quezon City.
The RAA is an annual event of Department of Agriculture that recognizes the efforts of outstanding rice-producing institutions, groups, and individuals for their contributions in the country’s food sufficiency thrust.
The RAA that started in 2012 is hosted by the National Rice Program, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the BSWM. The awards aim to celebrate innovations and technologies in the rice industry as key in attaining food security and sustainability in the country.
Special recognition was given to individuals who made significant contributions to the development of rice industry.
- Senator Cynthia Villar as Champion of Philippine Agriculture for Passing the Rice Competitiveness Fund under the Rice Tariffication Law (R.A. 11203) which will enable the rice farmers to be productive and competitive to enable rice farmers to increase their income. She was also cited for passing noteworthy agriculture legislation as follows: Amendment to the Fisheries Code to prevent and deter illegal, unreported fishing (RA 10654), Farm Tourism Law (RA 10816) which paved the way for the establishment of farm school all over the country, the SIDA Law for the Sugar Industry (RA 10659), the Anti Agricultural Smuggling Law (RA 10845), Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RA 10848), Free Irrigation Service Act (R.A. 10969), and Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act (R.A 10817)
- Dr. Bruce Tolentino who served as Deputy Director General of the International Rice Research Institute from 2012-2018.
- Dr. Santiago R. Obien, first director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
- Assistant Secretary Andrew Villacorta of DA Operations who is retiring from the DA after 41 years of service.
The 10 winners for the top rice-producing provinces for the 2019 RAA shall receive P4-million worth of project grants. They are:
- Pangasinan
- Nueva Ecija
- Bulacan
- Ilocos Norte
- Isabela
- Cagayan
- Bukidnon
- Zambales
- Lanao Del Norte
- Davao Oriental
The awardees also included 10 irrigators’ associations (IAs) for effectively maintaining National Irrigation Systems and Communal Irrigation Systems. They all received P1-million worth of project grants.
They are –
1. Penaranda Irrigators’ Association, Penaranda, Nueva Ecija
2. Palacatian Irrigators’ Association, Pavia, Iloilo
3. Kasanag Farmers Irrigators’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative, San Jose,
Ormoc City
4. Evergreen Malamboon Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Mahayag,
Zamboanga del Sur
5. Poblacion Banaybanay Division A Pilot Irrigators’ Association, Davao
Oriental
6. Ugasan-Juanico Irrigators’ Association, Banate, Iloilo
7. Tagbawto-Hilusig Communal Irrigators’ Association, Hilongos, Leyte
8. Azusano Irrigators’ Association, Azusano, Zamboanga Sibugay
9. Taytayan Irrigators’ Association, Cateel, Davao Oriental
10. Kamalaka Irrigators’ Association, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte
Lastly, six Small Water Impounding System farmers’ associations or SWISAs were also awarded P1-million worth of project grants and cited during the program.They are –
- Association of United Farmers and Irrigators of Duplas, Inc.;San Juan, La Union
2. Lucban Small Water Irrigation System Association, Benito Soliven
Isabela
3. Masalipit Small Water Impounding System Association, Inc.; San
Rafael, Bulacan
4. Durog Irrigators Association; Miag-ao, Iloilo
5. Pansul United Farmers Association;Guindulman, Bohol
6. Upper Buyogan Small Water Impounding System Association.
Siay, Zamboanga ,Sibugay
DA Secretary William Dar awarded the prizes to the winners.
