NEW PAO AND FFTC BUILDING -- Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro lead the ribbon-cutting with Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo, Chairman of Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council Ruperto Hernandez, and Bausa Integrated Farm and Training Center, Inc. Chairman Luis D. Bausa during the inauguration of the Provincial Agriculture Office and Farmers/Fisherfolks Training Center as well as the FFTC dormitory on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at the Provincial Capitol Compound, City of Malolos, Bulacan. Also in photo are Provincial Engineer’s Office Head Engineer Glenn D. Reyes, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Voltaire G. Basinang, Provincial Information Technology Office Head Engr. Rhea Liza L. Ramos-Valerio, and Provincial General Services Office Head Carina SP. Espiritu. (Photo courtesy of PPAO)
Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro led the opening of the new Provincial Agriculture Office at the 2nd floor of the Capitol Compound in the City of Malolos on Monday, Dec. 11.
The brand-new two-storey building also hosts the Farmers/Fisherfolks Training Center (FFTC) Program Management, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center, the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (PAFEC), and the Training Rooms on the first floor.
The second floor also houses the Crops Development Division, the Fisheries Development Division, the Conference Room, and the Administrative Division and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Meanwhile, a separate building was also inaugurated to serve as the FFTC dormitory and guest rooms.
“Sa wakas po ay natapos na at ngayon nga ay magagamit na ng ating mga kawani mula sa PAO at mga Bulakenyong magsasaka at mangingisda na sasailalim sa mga pagsasanay ang gusaling ito. Nawa ay makatulong ang ating ipinagawang imprastraktura upang mas higit na yumabong ang sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan sa ating lalawigan,” (Finally it's finished and now our staff from PAO and Bulakenyo farmers and fishermen who will undergo training can use this building. May the infrastructure we have created help make the agriculture and fishery sector in our province more prosperous),” Fernando said.
Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo said that with the new office, one of her aspirations for the Bulakenyo farmers and fisherfolks has come true.
“Nakakatuwa pong isipin na sa tagal po ng aking panunungkulan bilang Provincial Agriculturist, halos 20 taon ay ngayon na lamang po nagkaroon ng katuparan ang aming pangarap na isang training center na maipagmamalaki ng ating lalawigan ng Bulacan kung saan ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay mabibigyan ng angkop na kaalaman upang higit nilang mapaunlad ang kanilang mga gawain sa bukid, palaisdaan at gayon din po ay gumanda ang kanilang mga kinikita,” ( In my long my tenure as a Provincial Agriculturist, almost 20 years, it's only now that our dream of having our own training center that our province of Bulacan can be proud of came true, where our farmers and fishermen will be given the right support and knowledge so that they can further develop their skills and also improve their earnings),” Carillo said.