Farm Tourism Movers of the Philippines: 2013

ATI Regional Directors participate in the workshop to organize the Farm Tourism Movers Association of the Philippines, Inc together with Farmer Awardees and experts at ACES Polytechnic College, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines , April 22 to 23, 2013

The officers were elected and assured that the ATI Regional Directors shall act as Advisers in all Regional Organizations of the Farm Tourism Movers Association in the Philippines

Regional Director Richard C Rubis welcomes the ATI Directors from other regions of the country for participating in the seminar workshop on farm tourism

FARM TOURISM MOVERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Purpose of the organization:

1. To be the prime mover in the development and promotion of quality farm tourism in the Philippines.

2. To uplift the quality of life of the farming communities.

3. To promote sustainable organic agriculture in a farm tourism environment.

4. To ensure consumers to have access to healthy food preferably produced by marginalized farmers.

5. To establish rapport and cooperation amongst the farm tourism stake holders, GAs, NGOs, POs, IPs and other like – minded institutions and individuals in terms of partnerships and linkages.

6. To provide avenues for quality trainings, seminars, conventions, workshops among others.

7. To give due recognition to deserving members.

8. To seek and receive various grants and/or donations from various sources towards the accomplishment of its noble goals and objectives.

9. To purchase, acquire, hold, sell, lease, exchange, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal property and to build, acquire, lease, purchase, mortgage buildings and offices as may be necessary and useful to carry out the objectives and purposes of this corporation;

10. To perform all other activities that will redound to the best interest of the members within the bounds of law.

Aces Polytechnic College

FARM TOURISM SEMINAR - WORKSHOP

“EXPLORING THE BEST HEALTHY FOOD IN THE FARM”

Panabo City, Philippines

April 22, 2013 (10:00 AM)

OPENING PROGRAM

Prayer…………………………………… GM Vianney D. Garol

General Manager, ACE-FS

National Anthem ………….............. Ms. Maria Theresa J. Lizada

Introduction of Participants………. Dr. Silvano B. Maranga

Project Director, ACE-FS

Welcome Message …………………... Hon. Jose L. Silvosa, Sr.

Mayor, Panabo City

Intermission……………………………… Ms. Melit Robles

Significance of the conference…. Dr. Francisco P. de la Peña, Jr.

President/CEO, ACES

Inspirational Message ……………… Dir.Richard C. Rubis

ATI Center Director ROXI

Intermission …………………………….. Ms. Jelyn Tapales

Messages…………………………………. Dir. Arturo P. Boncato, Jr.

Regional Director

Dept. of Tourism, ROXI

……………………… Dr. Gaspar S. Gayona

Regional Director, TESDA, ROXI

Intermission ……………………………..

Closing Remarks…………………….. Dr. Urbano B. Budtan

Provincial Director, TESDA

Emcee: Ms. Sarah Jane E. Remeticado

FARM TOURISM SEMINAR-WORKSHOP

ACES Polytechnic College, Panabo City

April 22-23, 2013

MINUTES OF MEETING

Present:

1. CD. Arlene Flores

2. CD Rogelio Evangelista

3. OIC-CD Virginiano Garo

4. CD Cesar Vida

5. CD Efren Sabularse

6. Josephine Darm

7. CD Carolyn Daquio

8. Antonio Cadalin

9. CD Richard Rubis

10. CD Nenita Sumile

11. Dr. Francisco P. dela Pena, Jr.

12. Mr. Ronald Costales

13. Mr. Rey Pedroso

14. Dr. Silvano B. Maranga

15. Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr

16. Dr. Gaspar S. Gayona

17. Dr. Urbano R. Budtan

18. Engr. Daniel Apostol

19. Ms. Dawn Jamandre

20. Mr. Benjamin Lao

21. Mr. Vianney D. Garol

22. Ms. Evelyn C. Umali

23. Ms. Yolanda Floralde

24. Ms. Desiree Duran

Registration of all participants and guests. The program started at 10:00 in the morning at ACES Polytechnic College Conference Hall.

The seminar/workshop was started by a prayer. Then, the national anthem was lead by Ms. Maria Theresa Lizada. Dr. Silvano B. Maranga, Project Director of ACE-FS introduced all the participants. All visitors were given lei as a sign of welcome. The next speaker was the Mayor of Panabo City, Hon. Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. who welcome all the participants. He said Panabo is blessed with 25,123 has of land which is very suitable for agriculture devoted mostly to Cavandish bananas. He said aside from farming they also have organic livestock headed by Dr. Francisco dela Peña. The Mayor is very supportive for the ecotourism ideas in Panabo City. The next speaker was Dr. Frank dela Peña who said there must be a significant election of regular officers who will be mandated to work hard for the success of the farm tourism in the city in order to give assistance to farmers to have a bountiful harvest. He mentioned an intervention that would generate income for farmers while they are still waiting for their harvest. That is to improve the facilities and amenities of their farms in order to encourage and attract people, to give tourists a chance to see and enjoy visit to the farm for a minimal fee and at the same time they could avail themselves of healthy and nutritional value crops. Dr. Frank also mentioned the advantages of organic agriculture; namely:

(1) Production of healthy foods.

(2) Protection of the environment

(3) Generating employment in the country side.

Mr. Richard Rubis, ATI Center Director was the next to talk. He welcomed all the participants in the region and explained the itinerary. He requested to retain the position of Presidency to Dr. Frank dela Peña. The next speaker was Dr. Gaspar Gayona, Regional Director, TESDA. His opening remark is that we are crazy enough to embrace and target employment as the factor of trainings. He encouraged to put one Farm School in the area, saying further that “don’t take the farmers out of the farm to teach them how to farm but instead bring the school to the farmers”. He cited Capiz Farm School Center as an example who convinced farmers to go back to the farm to cultivate again their land in Mindanao. He further said that TESDA can partner with DPWH or any government tourism agency because of scholarship. In closing, he said: “May pera sa lupa, may buhay sa lupa at kung ano ang kinatatayuan mo ay siguradong may buhay”. The last speaker was Dr. Urbano Budtan, Provincial Director, TESDA who gave the closing remarks.

After 3 intermissions, Dr. Frank dela Peña presented the farm tourism SEC registration papers. It was registered on the 13^th day of February under the name - FARM TOURISM MOVERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. which is non-stock and non-profit organization.

A sumptuous lunch followed immediately.

Then, the most awaited election of officers was done. The following were nominated, voted and seconded to be the regular officers of the association

FARM TOURISM MOVERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILS., INC.

*POSITION*	*NAME*
President	Dr. Francisco P de la Pena, Jr.
Vice President for Luzon	Mr Ronald C.Costales
Vice President for Visayas	Ms Dawn R.Jamandre
Vice President for Mindanao	Mr Benjamin Lao
Secretary	Ms Desiree B. Duran
Treasurer	Engr. Daniel F. Apostol
Auditor	BM Rey R. Pedroso
Public Information Officer	Dr. Silvano B. Maranga
Business Manager	Mr. Vianney D. Garol
National Adviser	Dr. Asterio P. Saliot
Regional Adviser	All ATI CDS

Some suggestions/recommendations raised during the election:

1. First the Vice Presidents are set for Operations, Marketing and Research but it was suggested by Tesda to adopt instead Vice Presidents for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and make a sec resolution for it changing too the duties and responsibilities therein.

2. It was also agreed upon that ATI Centerl Director would be automatically be the regional adviser of the farm tourism in their respective region. But they could also be a member.

3. Membership was also defined into Corporate and Individual

4. The officers will be the one to determine the qualification of members.

5. It was also suggested to organize regional tourism group in the future in the whole of the Philippines.

6. To have a Training Center to become as a tourist destination for visitors.

7. TESDA director recommended the association to make its own website.

8. To ratify the SEC registration of the association

9. Dr. dela Peña shared the meaning of MICE which is Meeting, Incentives, Concentrations, and Events.

10. It was also agreed upon that all present visitors are allowed to vote in the election.

11. Dr. Frank asked the Regional Directors to bring their logos in the next seminar which is scheduled on May 22-25, 2013 at Subic, Olongapo City.

12. It was also discussed that a contest will be held for the best logo and slogans of the association

13. A Directory of all who attended will be prepared.

After the election, at 3:00 P.M. the group proceeded to the farm tour. First visited was the Bangus fish pens of Dr. Dela Peña, then his two farms. Visitors appreciated his organic animals like cow, goats, chickens and geese. After the farm visit, the group returned to Aces Polytechnic College, Panabo City for their dinn

After the delicious dinner prepared for the group, they proceeded to ACES Tagum, Tagum City for their respective room accommodation. Before retiring, a short social gathering, sing-a-long was held.

April 23, 2013 (2^nd day)

Breakfast at ACES Hotel from 6:30 to 8:00 AM. After breakfast, the group proceeded to ACES Polytechnic College, Panabo City to continue the seminar workshop.

It started at 9:30 AM. While waiting for Dr. Frank, sharings for each respective farm of the participants was done.

After the sharings, Dr. Frank discussed the Farm Tourism Minimum Requirements.

Mr. Frank asked the suggestions for the different types of committees:

Committee on Finance

Committee on Election

Committee on Membership

Committee on Education & Training

Committee on Technology & Research

Committee on Grievance

Ended at 10:35 AM. Lunch was served at ACES Natural Restaurant, Gromae restaurant . After lunch, the group had their own free time to buy fruits and pasalubong at Davao City thru the courtesy of Dr. Frank then proceeded to Francisco Bangoy International Airport for their respective flights.

( Our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Frank dela Peña, his family and staff and to all Central Director of ATI for their warm welcome and good camaraderie)

Prepared by:

EVELYN C. UMALI

Foundations for People Development, Inc

1	Sumile	Nenita	D	Butuan City	Center Director	ATI-Rtc-13,Los AngeleS,B.C	9194438622	aticaraga@yahoo.com
2	Darm	Josephine	G	Calpan City	Tech Aide	ATI-RTC-IV B/Naujan,Or.M.	9353619716	atibarcenaga@yahoo.com
3	Dayaan	Abdul	I	Tantangan City	Center Director	ATI-RTC-12,Tantangan,South Cot.	9155845798	atirtc_tantangan@yahoo.com
4	Ventures	Alfonso	R	Tagum City	Col Admin	ACES Tagum Coll. Tagum City	9192923400
5	Sabularse	Efren	C	Naga City	Center Director	ATI 5	927795911
6	Costales	Ronald	C	Majayjay City		COSTALES FARMS	917539308
7	Evangelista	Rogelio	C	Mangaldan City	Center Director OIC	ATI-RTC I Sta. Barbara	9219679905	atirtcpang@yahoo.com
8	Garo	Virginiano	G	Laoag City	Center Director OIC	ATI-RTC-3 BATAAN	9178906196	atiregion3@yahoo.com
9	Duran	Desiree	B	San Idelfonso City	Farm-Owner	D.DURAN	9175258161	d-duranfarm@yahoo.com
10	Vida	Cesar	N	Cavite City	Center Director	ATI-RTC IV-A		atintc_uplb@yahoo.com
11	Mailwas	Elmer	M	Panabo City	Farmer	ACES-FS	9173423842
12	Vastida	Cher	M	Panabo City	STDO OIC	LGU-PANABO CITY	9088950418
13	Normandia	Darlaine	C	Panabo City	Clerk II	LGU-PANABO CITY	9076911684
14	Guillas	Loremie	M	Panabo City	Artist	LGU-PANABO CITY	9467505202
15	Floralde	Yolanda	B	Bulacan	Admin Coordinator	FPD, Ortigas	9173326037
16	Umali	Evelyn	C	Pasig	Exec.Asst	Foundations for People Dev., Ortigas	9175509367	umali.evelyn@gmail.com
17	Daquio	Carolyn May	O	Taab City	Center Director	ATI-RTC-7 Tagbilaran City	9177214328	ati_7@yahoo.com
18	Cadalin	Antonio	E	Burongan City	Sr.Ag	ATI-RTC 08	9268441364	ati_rtc8@yahoo.com
19	Flores	Rlyn	L	Baguio	Center Director	ATI-CAR	9202222915	aclf@yahoo.com
20	Budtan	Urbano	B	Tagum City	Provl DIR.III	TESDA-DN
21	Jamandre	Dawn	R		President	Iloilo	9173113296
22	Pedroso	Rey	R		BOARD MEMBER	BOFA	9486571902
23	Apostol	Daniel	F	Koronadal City	Farmer		9202005151
24	Boncato	Art	P		Govt.Officer	DOT Davao	9173010911
25	Maranga	Silvano	B	Panobo	AVP		9177111102
26	Garol	Vianny	D		GM	ACES	9339660506