1. e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Vol. III No. 5 April 2010
Farmers' Contact Center
taps PLDT
M
ANILA PHILIPPINES -- In a
world of technology advances
where anyone who doesn’t
embrace change gets left behind, there
is a need to come out of our old-
customs-shell and live in the world of
innovation. When we need fast-search
information, we refer to the internet.
When we ought to reconnect with
families that are oceans away, we do a
voice call. When we want a short but
frequent conversation with someone,
we simply send a text or SMS. All
these, made easy for us by each and
every breakthrough in technology.
Realizing all the things that
technology innovations could do
to make day-to-day living easier,
then Agriculture Secretary Arthur
The signing of contract with PLDT was lead by then DA-Secretary Arthur C. Yap and C. Yap took hold of these and
Secretary Bernie G. Fondevilla
Glancing back to 2009 ►page 7
e-Extension Program Assessment and Planning Workshop Held What’s Inside
A
NGELES, PAMPANGA -- “Taking workshop for the e-Extension Program, ICTwares turnover
a step further, a notch higher” aptly called “e-Extension CoMotion”. of the Aurora e-Village ----------- 2
this becomes the statement
that summarizes the accomplishments The e-Extension CoMotion ICT Roadshow
of the e-Extension Program for The first assessment for the for Aurora e-Village --------------- 3
Agriculture and Fisheries for 2009. program in 2008 featured the first
Quo Vadis -------------------------- 4
Reviewing the past activities seven ATI Training Centers involved
and planning for the next steps in in the program, and the following Thoughts on the
view of the more challenges faced year it included another seven more e-Extension CoMotion ------------ 5
by the Institute, the ATI as the lead ATI Training Centers. This year’s
implementing agency, held its third assessment featured the whole Any Pace, Any Place -------------- 5
program assessment and planning network of training centers of ATI
FCC’s Text Support wrapped up
►page 6 2009 with a bang ----------------- 8
1

2. Aurora e-Village
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Aurora e-Village Project
Beneficiaries Receive ICTwares
B
ALER, AURORA -- Acquiring the Barangays Nonong Bacor, Bacong
right information at the right and Zarah together with Ditumabo
time in a much faster pace--this Multi-Purpose Cooperative were the
is the development that the farmers of identified access points while for Maria
Aurora will now enjoy. Aurora the barangay of Detailen,
Through the help of ICT wares Cabituculan West, Bazal, Quirino,
that were distributed to the identified Florida, Debucao and Maria Aurora
beneficiaries of the
Aurora e-Village Project, The municipalities of Baler,
the farmers in Aurora
province will now have
San Luis, Maria Aurora and
the opportunity to Dipaculao were provided with
acquire knowledge at ICT wares as part of the benefits
their finger tips. of Aurora e-Village project
Aiming for a faster Dir. Saliot delivers his message
during the turnover ceremony
information transfer and a much easier Development Cooperative will serve as
transaction-based farming business, the access points. general the agriculture and fisheries
the computers that were distributed Also for the town of Dipaculao, sector” Saliot added when he delivered
will be installed in the identified 19 the access points can be found in his message.
Barangays Punagi, Aurora Provincial Administrator
Salay, Mucdol, Ipil Alex Ocampo received the ICT wares
and Dimabuno for the province in behalf of Governor
Kababaihan Producers Bellaflor Angara-Castillo. Ocampo said
Cooperative. that “Aurora Province is very fortunate
Gracing the to be the recipient of this project.” He
turnover ceremony also added that with these ICT wares
were the heads of “Ang magsasaka ng Aurora ngayon ay
the implementing hindi na lang traditional farmer kundi
agencies namely techno farmer na rin.”
President Antonio Training on Basic ICT literacy will
D. Kalaw of the be conducted by ATI to fully utilize the
Development ICT wares. The turnover ceremony
Academy of the was held last February 12, 2010 at the
Philippines, Atty. Rice Processing Complex, Baler, Aurora.
Heads of implementing agencies turnover the ICT wares to Mayor Ronilo A. Beronio (BCNatividad)
Arthur Angara of Baler, Aurora as one of the project beneficiaries of Department of
access points. Each computer was Agriculture (DA)-Philippine Rice
The e-Extension Agenda
designed in an ATM machine-like kiosk Research Institute (PhilRice) and
Volume III Number 5
coupled with database on rice and Director Asterio P. Saliot of DA- April 2010
other commodities. It will also have a Agricultural Training Institute
system that is connected to the Rice (ATI). Editor Pamela MG. Mappala
Processing Complex (RPC) which will Kalaw, in his message, urged
make transactions for farmers easy. the farmers of Aurora “not to Writers Benedict C. Natividad
For the first phase of the project, be afraid of new technologies” Yovina-Claire R. Agsawa
four central towns of Aurora specifically because this can be learned and
Contributors Primalou Imperial, (ATI-RTC 5)
Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis and they can use it so that lives of Merrian Piquero-Soliva, (ATI-RTC 7)
Dipaculao benefited in the turnover Aurora’s farmers will improve. Dennis Boyd Baltazar, (ATI-RTC 8)
of ICTwares. The 19 selected access Atty. Beronio meanwhile
points were composed mainly of talked about the role of ICT in Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad
barangays and cooperatives in these increasing rice yield, “We could
Editorial Consultants Antonieta J. Arceo
municipalities. In Baler, Barangays use ICT to increase our yield on Jose Rey Y. Alo
Suklayin and Buhangin together rice of Aurora” he said.
with the Glory to God Multi-Purpose “The proliferation of these Advisers Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III
Cooperative were selected as access ICT wares somehow empowers Evelyn Aro-Esquejo PhD, MNSA, CESO VI
Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV
points. For the town of San Luis, our farmers and fishers and in
2

3. Aurora e-Village
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
ICT Roadshow promotes Aurora Aurora e-Village
e-Village project Facts and Figures
A
URORA PROVINCE -- Aurora e-Village Project aims
Intending to increase to integrate ICT as part of
the awareness and a rural community’s life to
knowledge about the Aurora improve access to information,
e-Village project, an ICT enhance productivity,
roadshow was held for the four increase family income and
central towns of the Aurora improve quality of life in the
province namely Dipaculao, community. It also aims to
Maria Aurora, San Luis and Baler. provide a collective strategy in
These four towns are also the the adoption, dissemination,
pilot areas for the first phase of and commercialization of
the project. technology-based, market
The Aurora e-Village project driven production system for
aims to integrate ICT as part The roadshow was participated by the project agricultural productivity and
of a rural community’s life to implementers namely ATI, DAP, Philrice and PGA competitiveness.
improve access to information, respective electronic extension services
enhance productivity, increase family For the first phase of the project,
which will be part of the project. ATI’s
income and thereby improve the four municipalities of Aurora
e-learning, Farmers’ Contact Center
quality of life in the community. It also and livelihood trainings are among will be the main beneficiaries,
aims to provide a collective strategy namely Baler, Maria Aurora,
the services that will be accessed
in the adoption, dissemination, and San Luis and Dipaculao. Local
through the Aurora e-Village project.
commercialization of technology- cooperatives from these four
The residents of Aurora had a glimpse
based and market-driven production municipalities will be capacitated
of the e-services through the Mobile
system for agricultural productivity and Internet Bus of PhilRice. to provide technology-based
competitiveness. information that they can
As part of its extension efforts
The project is being implemented share with the farmers. For
for the project, the ATI gave out
by the Department of Agriculture the second phase, the project
bags of Information Education and
through Agricultural Training Institute will be implemented in the
Communication (IEC) materials to
(ATI ) and Philippine Rice Research four remaining municipalities
the barangay captains, Municipal
Institute (PhilRice) together with of Aurora namely, Casiguran,
Agriculturists and to the Farmers’
the Development Academy of the Dingalan, Dilasag and Dinalungan
Information and Technology Services
Philippines (DAP) and the Provincial (FITS) Centers in the selected Through the project about
Government of Aurora. municipalities. 1,200 farmers will be trained
Focusing on explaining the project The Local Government Units
and its benefits, a briefing on the on rice production technology
(LGUs) of the four towns were in full particularly organic farming,
Aurora e-Village Project was one of the support led by their respective local
managing cost, maintain
highlights of the roadshow. Likewise, government executives and officers. high levels of productivity
the ATI and PhilRice presented their In their welcome remarks, and quality; organize small
the mayors acknowledged the village level clusters of farmers
benefits of the project to their (cluster of 5 to 10 farmers) for
respective municipalities and effective management at low
encouraged their constituents administrative cost.
to support the project.
Anabelle Tangson, Mayor of The project plans to unify
San Luis, Aurora, expressed farmers rice production process
her appreciation to the project through synchronizing the
and to the implementers planting, harvesting and delivery
specifically Philrice for their schedules among large number
techno demo farm and ATI for of farmer growers at the
the first training conducted village level and synchronizing
on off-season pineapple the provision of farm support
production. services from land preparation
The ICT roadshow was (tractors) to harvesting
A briefing on ATI’s electronic extension services was held last February 4 and 5, (threshers).
done which will also be part of the project 2010.(BCNatividad)
3

4. FEATURE
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Quo Vadis
By Primalou Imperial*
Q
uo Vadis! That was a phrase
that struck me eons ago. mother extending both
Whoever put it up in the arms to take care of one
school’s bulletin board should probably hundred children all at the FCC has to
have put it in Pilipino or English, so the same time, each one lead eventually to
I would have really understood what of them clamoring for electronic trading.
it was trying to say, so I would have attention. At least, that The power of ICT
really asked myself and pondered upon was how it felt initially, should help farmers
and meditated on my, er, direction. while we were working and fisherfolks get
Nevertheless it is a phrase that on the pre-launching good price for their
keeps popping up in my mind rather regional consultation produce.
frequently lately. Other people must be workshop. But then again,
asking themselves the same question. The FCC launch in arguably that is still
It is good to ask oneself once in a Bohol held November several steps down the
while where one is going – a kind of 28th is an eye-opener. The line.
self-reassessment. determination in the voice of our The Secretary’s dictum
The launching of the Farmers’ Director and the insights shared by the matches Director Saliot’s reminder:
Contact Center (FCC) offered that rare Secretary perceptively stirred those the FCC is a concrete step towards
chance to take stock of oneself… as who were present, probably more so empowering our agriculture and
an institution, that is. It occurred to those who were involved in the nitty- fisheries sector.
me that it was a turning point in the gritty of the preparations months Quo Vadis? There is no other way.
Department of Agriculture’s history. before the actual launch. In the light of globalization, which
It was a big move, rather akin to a Secretary Yap’s message exerts immense pressure on our
was stunning in its clarity, producers to find more sustainable and
yet demanding action: we efficient food and biofuel production
need to give farmers the techniques; in the face of climate
right information, at the right change, which Secretary Yap describes
time. It was that simple. The as a handicap for our farmers and
FCC aims, first and foremost, fisherfolks; in the midst of escalating
to give timely and right prices of agricultural inputs… there
information by bringing the is no other way but to get our act
experts in agriculture and together. There is no other way but
fisheries within the reach of to respond to the call… literally and
farmers and fisherfolks. figuratively, within the context of the
Further, agriculture is FCC.
not (primarily?) a social
concern; it is or it should be *Media Production Specialist & e-Extension
Coordinator from ATI Regional Training
a business concern – that’s
Center V-Bicol Region
why logically and necessarily
Quo vadis is a Latin phrase meaning
"Where are you going?" or "Whither
goest thou?"
Ms. Primalou Imperial, e-Extension coordinator from ATI-RTC V,
assisted a client on registering at the e-Learning site during the
launching of the Farmers’ Contact Center in Bohol last November 2009
4

5. FEATURE
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Any pace, any place
By Merrian Piquero Soliva*
T
he “any pace, any place” slogan the 10th Ubi Festival held at Tagbilaran
indeed justifies its purpose. City, Bohol with the theme: “Industriya
Not that this was used during sa Ubi Palambuon, Hagit sa mga
training but the advocacy certainly Bol-anon” which I peeked our e-black
flourished wherever and whatever bag and pen at one of the booths.
activity related to extension. Honestly, I felt a spark of happiness
At first, I didn’t put much emphasis that our advocacy thrived in the daily
seeing Agricultural Extension Workers undertakings of our AEWs. I thought,
(AEWs) bringing with them the e-black they just use it during training (that
bag and ballpoint pens plus the made my hunches wrong).
e-button during meeting and or office With that little speck of endeavor, I
visit most especially if these people just hope that we can capture more of what
came from a training from ATI. we have started.
What amazed me a lot was when
ATI-RTC 7 formally launched Yummy *Media Production Specialist & e-Extension
Yam: Online Course on Ubi Production Coordinator from ATI Regional Training
last January 21, 2010 in time during Center VII-Central Visayas
Thoughts on the e-Extension CoMotion
By Dennis Boyd Baltazar*
A
nother year had passed component of the e-Extension program on the implementation of the web-
that brought together the comes the challenge of making it reach based agricultural extension workers
e-Extension coordinators for to the ultimate clients, the farmers. database.
the e-Extension CoMotion: 3rd Program This year's assessment and The activity however, was not just
Assessment and Planning Workshop planning workshop updated work. The coordinators had fun during
last March 15 to 19, 2010 at Oasis coordinators on the components of the team building activities that were
Hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga. the e-Extension Program and on the integrated in their schedule to foster
Year 2009 was a momentous year
for e-Extension with the launching of
Text Support Center in February and An e-Extension coordinator reflects on
eventually the Farmers' Contact Center what have transpired on the e-Extension
(FCC) in November. With both services
formally launched under the e-Farming
assessment and planning workshop
institutionalization plan camaraderie and teamwork.
of the Techno Gabay As in the past, 2010 is another
program. The coordinators challenging year for e-extension
assessed the previous coordinators. It could be true that good
year's implementation work gains more work and we could
of the e-Learning and agree with Steve Pavlina who said: "If
e-Farming components of you want to achieve some really big
e-Extension program and and interesting goals, you have to learn
formulated action plans to fall in love with hard work."
for 2010 particularly in the
promotion of the FCC and *e-Extension Coordinator from ATI Regional
the e-learning courses. The Training Center VIII-Leyte
coordinators were also briefed
Dennis Boyd Baltazar: Year 2009 was a
momentous year for e-Extension
5

6. e-Extension
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Glancing back to 2009.....
From page 1 Snapshots
Briefing on e-Extension Program
represented by its designated
e-Extension coordinators. With this,
the ATI Management only hopes
that all should be in the same page
and go into a unified direction
thus the assessment being called
“e-Extension CoMotion”.
The activity aimed to
update the coordinators on the
e-Extension Program, assess the The e-Extension coordinators revised their
implementation of the e-Learning WFPs after the discussions on the indicators.
and e-Farming components and the
planned institutionalization activities In his opening remarks,
of the Techno Gabay Program being Maningding commended the
implemented e-Extension Program as the “more
by the organized program among the
several programs of ATI”
The e-Extension assessment is in the sense that it
a yearly undertaking, wherein can be seen, heard
coordinators from the 17 ATI and felt not only LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN -- The 10th
by us but also by
Training Centers gather to review our clients. He
National Convention of the League of
Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal
and assess the activities for also added that Agriculturists and City Agriculturists of the
e-Extension done the past year “among the five Philippines Inc. (LeMMCAP) was held last
major programs of March 10 to 12, 2010.
the ATI the e-Extension One of the highlights of the event was
Program is the cutting edge of the briefing on the e-Extension Program
Department for Agriculture and Fisheries, particularly
of Science and Technology-Philippine the Institute.”
focusing on the newly introduced service,
Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Saliot also commented that “the the Farmers' Contact Center (FCC) and
Natural Resources Research and e-Extension Program is very clear and the new e-learning courses being offered
Development (DOST-PCARRD). The have created a difference among us." through the Program.
activity served as a good forum for He added,“More challenges will come
formulating corresponding action plans your way but I know that you will
at the national level and at the center accept it because it is another chance
level. to make a difference for the country.”
During the assessment, ATI’s top Activities and Discussions
management were represented by The four-day assessment included
Director Asterio P. Saliot and Assistant discussions and activities related to
Director Alberto Maningding, both e-Extension and it components. Ms.
have nothing but positive feedback for Antonieta J. Arceo, Officer-in-Charge
e-Extension. of the ATI Knowledge Products
Management Division
presented the e-Extension DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY -- Guests
updates and discussed the from the Institute of Chartered
plan of institutionalizing Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL)
the Techno Gabay Program recently visited the Agriculture and
(TGP) in ATI as well as Fisheries Knowledge Center (AFKC)
some activities that will Computer Laboratory for a briefing
be implemented within on the extension modalities through
the year. The coordinators the Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), specifically
also presented their
the e-Extension Program of the
accomplishments for their Department of Agriculture where the
respective centers. Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is
With the the lead implementing agency. The visit
e-Extension Coordinators from the 17 ATI Training implementation of the aims to learn new methods on how to
Centers gather to review and assess the activities deliver their services through ICT.
for e-Extension done for 2009 ►page 8
6

7. e-Extension
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
will just be one call or
FCC Taps PLDT.....
a text away. Likewise,
From page 1
the Department’s
technical expertise will
directed it towards an agriculture- be readily accessible
oriented mechanism. As such, the to the agriculture
Farmers Contact Center (FCC) of the sector at their
Department of Agriculture (DA) was fingertips.
established. For the FCC to be
With the FCC, the farmers and fully operational, the
fishers can easily access information Agricultural Training
they need in their farm activities. Institute (DA-ATI)
Information on current prices of tapped the Philippine
commodities, marketing of farm Long Distance
produce, and control measures for pest Telecommunications
and disease incidents, among others Company
(PLDT) for
their products
and services For the FCC to be fully
which includes operational, the DA-ATI tapped
On-Call, the products and services of PLDT
Netcast, DSL
internet connection
and mobile communication.
Castañeda, Vice President and the
Leading the DA team, Yap
Corporate Relationship Management
along with Undersecretary
Head and Mr. Anthony Lim, the
Bernie G. Fondevilla sealed
Assistant Vice President and the Head
an agreement last February
of Government Relationship Business.
2010 for the said services
Thus, being a partner in this
with PLDT’s Mr. Renato
DA and PLDT finalized their partnership after initiative, PLDT vouched for their
signing of contract assistance in advertising the FCC
hotlines and charging a minimal cost
What are our e-Learners say of Php 7.27 per call to the FCC using
Smart and Talk N' Text numbers.
The FCC may be contacted through
From our shoutbox messages @www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning these hotlines: 1-800-10-982AGRI (or
1-800-10-982-2474) for provincial toll-
I have successfully registered in e-learning tonight after our free calls using PLDT lines; 982AGRI
lectures during the Basic ICT Literacy for FITS Center-Bohol…” (or 982-2474) for calls within Metro
– Cecile Opada Manila; 391DA (or 391-32) for text
messages using Smart and Talk 'N
I already finished the course..ang saya! i really enjoyed it a lot..” Text; 0920-946AGRI (0920-946-2474)
– Eloisa Aileen Trinidad for mobile calls and text messages
using Globe, TM and Sun Cellular;
I'm done with the AGRIMARK1 course.., e-learning is info@e-extension.gov.ph for emails;
e-interesting, e-xciting! hope u enjoy it too!” www.e-extension.gov.ph and www.ati.
– Darwin Sarabia da.gov.ph for the online discussion fora
and instant messaging.
I am Elmer Santiago. I have selected From Seed to Seed: Online That’s the Farmers’ Contact Center,
Course on Corn Production as my course. ang inyong kaagapay sa usaping
- Elmer Santiago agrikultura.(YCRAgsawa)
You all have a lot of conversations here. That’s great.
– Khean
I just finished the module on growing bamboos. I had a lot of
fun...I’m also interested with yummy yam ubi prduction. I hope to
enjoy this module also.
- Febe Keith Pabiran
7

8. Farmer’s Contact Center
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
FCC’s Text Support wrapped List of Online Courses
up 2009 with a bang! T
hese are the list of e-Learning
Courses currently offered through
D
the e-Extension Program. Enroll now
ILIMAN, QUEZON CITY -- Just Other queries received by the at www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning
as the Text Support of the Textline are as follows: Pest and
Farmers’ Contact Center opened Disease Management on various Establishing Feed Resources
the year 2009 with a blast by unveiling commodities with 163 queries; ATI for Your Goats (Developed by
its 5-digit text hotline – 391-DA Programs and Services with 138 DOST-PCARRD)
(391-32), it finished inquiries; Marketing Starting a Slaughter Goat Enterprise
(Developed by DOST-PCARRD)
off the year with concerns with 107
a whack as it The text support service questions; and
Citrus Growing: A Promising Enterprise
From Seed to Seed: Online Course
accumulated was launched on February Programs of on Corn Production
queries that 2009 and has since been the Department Managing Common Diseases in Banana
reached receiving a record number of Agriculture Growing Durian the Better Way
far-off (DA) with 38 Abaca Production: Cultural Management
the expected
of queries. queries. Practices of Abaca
numbers. With this success Growing Bamboo for Profit and a
As such, the queries on agriculture kicked off by the Text Support, the Healthy Environment (Developed by
DOST-PCARRD)
and fisheries (A&F) sent to the Text remaining components of the FCC
Production of High Value Crops in
Support reached a stunning total were launched by November last year, Greenhouse
of 2,751. Of which, the e-Learning opening further its services to call, Savoring the Green Brew: Arabica
Program of the Agricultural Training email, and online communication such Coffee Production
Institute (ATI) came to be the hottest as fora and instant messaging (IM). Seaweed Farming (Developed by
topic with 1,757 queries. Among these The FCC is the alternative delivery DA-BAR)
were inquiries on enrollment keys, channel for the e-farming services Basic Agricultural Marketing Extension
Yummy Yam: Online Course on Ubi
Production
Glancing back to 2009.....
From page 6
Farmers’ Contact Center (FCC),
the coordinators' roles and
responsibilities also expanded,
including some major concerns on
the implementation of the e-Farming
component of the Program.
In addition, Ms. Milagros
C. Urbano of the ATI Extension
Governance and Planning Division
presented the Agricultural Extension
confirmation of new user-registrations, of the Department of Agriculture Workers' Database and discussed the
certificates of completion, and some through the e-Extension Program for added roles and responsibilities of
technical assistance in accessing the Agriculture and Fisheries, where ATI is the e-Extension coordinators for this
e-learning site. the lead implementing agency. It is a endeavor.
Second, with 278 texts which quick-helpdesk on A&F concerns that Revisions and adjustment on
were stray SMS and queries as well farmers, fishers, extension workers the 2010-2011 Work and Financial
as congratulatory notes, simple and agri-entrepreneurs may refer to. Plan for the e-Extension Offices
acknowledgements for sent replies/ It is being manned by ATI’s Contact specifically the indicators was
answers to Clients’ queries such Center Agents in collaboration with also discussed followed by the
as "Thank you". This was followed DA’s bureaus and partner agencies. preparation of the regional work and
closely by the A&F Technologies with As such, through this initiative, the financial plans for e-Extension.
270 queries pertaining to Cultural technical expertise of people in the The third program assessment
Management, Dryer Equipment, New Department will just be within arm’s and planning workshop was held
Technology, Process Application, Soil reach for the A&F sector.(YCR Agsawa) last March 15-19, 2010 at the Oasis
Deficiency, Varieties / Breeds / Species, Hotel, Clark, Angeles Pampanga.
and Vermicomposting. (BCNatividad)
8