The Visayas State University (VSU) under the administration of Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo devoted a special day to honor the unsung heroes of Philippine agriculture—the farmers and fisherfolks in Eastern Visayas. The tribute was held during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day on August 11, 2014 at the VSU Convention Hall on the occasion of the 90^th VSU Founding Anniversary as an institution.

Guided by its theme “Upland Agriculture: Unlocking its Potentials for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience,” the ceremony kicked-off with a parade around the VSU Lower Campus. It was participated in by some 2,000 farmers and fisherfolks from various farmers organizations throughout Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas regions, namely: Cabintan Livelihood Community Association in Cabintan, Ormoc City; Cambantog Integrated Green Environment Farmers’ Association in Lake Danao, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Community Association, Ormoc City; Lake Danao Farmers’ Association, Ormoc City; Patag, Gabas, Guadalupe Farmers’ Association in Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Marcos Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; Brgy. Hipusngo Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Association, Baybay City; Baybay Dairy Cooperative, Baybay City; Baybay Farmers’ Association, Baybay City; City Agricultural Fishery Council, Baybay City; Brgy. Makinhas Officials and Farmers, Baybay City; Villaconzoilo Community Association in Jaro, Leyte; and Brgy. Tongonan Kananga Community Association in Kananga, Leyte.

Other farmers’ organizations who were not able to participate in the parade included those from the municipalities of Silago, Bontoc, Macrohon, San Juan, and Sogod—all in Southern Leyte; Tudela, Pilar, and Poro in Camotes Island, Cebu; Bohol; and Samar Island.

The major highlight of the affair was to give recognition to the 2014 Ugmad Award Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur, Outstanding Vegetable Farmer, Outstanding Livestock Farmer, and Outstanding Farmers’ Association among the nominees from all over Region VIII.

The University, in cooperation with other government and private companies, accorded plaques of recognition and cash or in-kind awards to the winners of the different categories.

The recipient of the 2014 (Ugmad Award) Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur is Mr. Bendicar D. Gerona of Brgy. Buac Gamay, Sogod, Southern Leyte “For his innovativeness, hard work and determination to increase productivity and profitability in his farm. He initially started tilling two hectares which eventually grew to a five-hectare farmstead owing to his entrepreneurship and diligence. A farmer with a knack for planning and entrepreneurship, he participates in agri-aqua fairs and garden shows giving him opportunities to learn and also market his produce. He shows a remarkable concern for the environment by adopting organic farming and ecologically-sound pest management practices. Despite his success as a farmer, he continues to learn and is very willing to share his knowledge with his fellow farmers. As farmer-cooperator for field trials, his farm has become a model for other farmers. Mr. Gerona is a perfect example of the new breed of successful farmer-entrepreneurs who can prove that farming is a highly rewarding vocation.”

Mr. Gerona received a plague from VSU and a cash award of PhP20,000 from the provincial government of Leyte through Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla.

The East-West Seed Company, Inc. awarded the 2014 Outstanding Vegetable Farmer to Mr. Romeo V. Mazo of Brgy. Kansungka, Baybay City, Leyte “For exemplifying innovativeness, hard work and determination to make his three-hectare land a productive vegetable farm. Concerned about the environment, he started abandoning conventional farming practices and adopted an organic farming system. His hard work and good entrepreneurial skills have brought him enough profits to acquire additional farm plots. His success in vegetable production also paved the way to his election as an officer of the Baybay Farmers’ Association where he continuously shares his knowledge and wisdom to other farmers. Mr. Mazo is a highly successful vegetable farmer who continues to innovate and find ways to help his fellow farmers.”

Mr. Mazo received a plaque and a cash award of PhP15,000 from the East-West Seed Company, Inc. through its Sales and Marketing Head, Mr. Gerardo P. Domingo.

VSU and the Univet Nutrition and Animal Health Care Company (UNAHCO) presented the 2014 Outstanding Livestock Farmer Award to Ms. Marilyn D. Legaspi of Sitio Manloy, Mapgap, Baybay City, Leyte “For her innovative and environment-friendly farming practices that transformed her small 100-layer egg production venture into a 70,000 broiler farm. Her innovations included transforming the original improvised poultry house that she started with into a huge sturdy air-conditioned building with automated equipment for feeding and watering and an innovative waste management technology that helps control bad smell and flies. The farm wastes are given to fellow farmers for their use. A trained accountant, she acknowledges that her success was achieved with the help of a private corporate partner who encouraged and helped her learn and succeed in poultry farming. Ms. Legaspi is a farmer-entrepreneur who has shown that even with a different professional background one can succeed in poultry farming which makes her a good example to other farmers.”

Ms. Legaspi received a plaque and products worth PhP15,000 from UNAHCO through Mr. Glenn L. Ibañez, the Technical Director.

On the other hand, the University and the Plan International bestowed the 2014 Outstanding Farmers’ Association to the Villaconzoilo Community Association (VILCOA) of Villaconzoilo, Jaro, Leyte “For outstanding leadership, unity, hard work, and entrepreneurship as an organization which helped raise their productivity and incomes even with marginal resources and minimal initial support from the government. Despite the harsh agroclimatic conditions in the uplands. VILCOA has demonstrated that upland agriculture can be productive and profitable as a solution to poverty through the adoption of sound environmental practices such as use of organic fertilizers and pesticides and soil conservation technologies such as contour farming. In addition, good marketing practices, internal capital formation, member protection through group insurance and organizational development trainings have fostered strong member participation and group cohesion. With only 38 members, VILCOA’s financial assets have grown to a million pesos and various external partners who have seen their organizational potentials have started to provide support to their programs and projects.

VILCOA’s success is an example of how good leadership, organizational cohesion, hard work and dedication, viable income generating projects and strong government support, can make a farmers’ organization become a potent force for rural development. VILCOA is an outstanding model for aspiring farming groups and communities, which capitalizes only on their fortitude and unity to make the best of their marginal resource base. Lately, VILCOA has demonstrated that even after typhoons Yolanda and Glenda devastated their area, a strong organization is able to rise from the devastation and be productive again through unity and cooperation.”

VILCOA received two knapsack sprayers worth more than PhP15,000 from Mr. Erwin G. Cachuela, Provincial Coordinator of Plan International.

Nevertheless, all finalists in the different categories received certificates from VSU.

The different awardees were selected based on the following criteria: Innovativeness (30%), Productivity (30%), Community Leadership (20%), and Environmental Concerns (20%), for a total of 100%.

This year’s Ugmad Search Committee is composed of Prof. Efren B. Saz, chairperson; Dr. Alfredo B. Escasinas, Prof. Reny G. Gerona, Dr. Milagros C. Bales, Dr. Humberto R. Monters, Jr., Dr. Ana Marquiza M. Quilicot, Prof. Arsenio D. Ramos, and Ms. Adelina O. Carreno, as members.

The awards were distributed by the sponsoring agencies together with the VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, and VP for Research and Extension Othello B. Capuno.

Prior to the awarding ceremonies, the farmers and fisherfolks forum took place to give way to the farmers and fisherfolks to air their concerns especially on upland agriculture, climate change adaptation and resilience. Dr. Eduardo O. Mangaoang, professor of forestry, had a presentation on Climate Change Agriculture and Natural Resources as a prelude to the open forum. The panel of VSU experts composed of Dr. Victor B. Asio, Dr. Beta C. Ratilla, Dr. E. O. Mangaoang, Dr. Luz O. Moreno, Dr. Lolito C. Bestil, Dr. Zenaida C. Gonzaga, Prof. Tess C. Nuñez, and Dr. Marcelo A. Quevedo responded to some queries raised by the participants.

Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, President of the Visayas State University (VSU) System, presented a comprehensive report of his administration in his State of the University Address (SOUA) during the Annual Academic Convocation in the afternoon of July 22, 2014 at the VSU Gymnatorium.

Speaking before thousands of students, faculty and staff of the University, Dr. Bacusmo said, that “We started off so well last year that we even reaped two major awards for VSU—the Tanglaw Award, the highest institutional award given by DOST-PCAARRD, and the Eco-Friendliest or Most Sustainable School Award.”   The VSU President recalled that while he was proudly accepting the Tanglaw Award in Sofitel Hotel Manila on November 8, 2013, super typhoon Yolanda struck Leyte in which none of VSU campuses was spared from the calamity.

The VSU President relayed that he felt the pain listening to students requesting withdrawal of their enrollment because their families do not have anymore the means to support their schooling. A video clip showing the situation of some VSU students who were affected by the super typhoon Yolanda posted at the VSU website, facebook and in the youtube appealed to the audience and was able to raise PhP5-million cash and in-kind donations from friends, alumni and partners which was used to implement the cash-for-work program for affected students. “One hundred thirty-six students under this program graduated last May and 169 more are continuing their schooling under this scheme,” Dr. Bacusmo said. “We were devastated, but the devastation is not a reason for us to abandon our ambition to become one of the best, if not the best university in the Visayas,” Dr. Bacusmo lamented.

To give a much clearer grasp of the SOUA, the VSU President emphasized seven important points in his speech—access, linkages, instruction, research, extension, facility development, and caring and loving the University.

On Access, the president reported that 35% of VSU students have scholarships or some forms of assistance. He also revealed that new scholarship slots have been added to the existing scholarship programs implemented/facilitated by VSU like the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AACCUP, and even from Hohenheim University.

He proudly announced that under his stewardship, the University did not increase its tuition fee. “The average cost of educating student at VSU is at least PhP37,500 per year or PhP18,700 per semester. Thus, we have to work hard each year to make sure that we get enough supplemental budget from the national government and that our business operations realize profits that we can use to help sustain this University,” Dr. Bacusmo said.

He furthered that “Despite the non-increase of tuition fees, thus inadequate funds for improvement of the University, we have managed to remain excellent in instruction, research, and extension.” This was evident on the citation received by VSU from CHED-8 regarding higher education institutions with PRC licensure examination number one placers or topnotchers in the past 20 years. “One page of the program listed all the other HEIs from the region and the names of their topnotchers, while the other page of the program was solely devoted to listing VSU and its numerous topnotchers over the years,” he mused. Dr. Bacusmo also acknowledged the 2013 and 2014 topnotchers in the PRC licensure exams as well as VSU’s accomplishment as the first-ever university in the country whose Agriculture program has been accredited Level IV by the AACCUP. He also informed the audience that a group of computer science graduates of VSU is being commissioned to work on computerization of enrollment, student grading, and record management.

On Linkages, he revealed that VSU linkages with other universities remain strong. One of which is the VSU-TUAT linkage. He also mentioned some universities outside the country with whom VSU has strong connections either for research collaboration or the On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs, such as Hiroshima University, University of Arkansas, Hohenheim University, and some countries like the Netherlands and Israel that accept OJT for VSU students.

The University President revealed that he will push for the approval of the doubling or 100% increase of the stipend and thesis allowance of faculty members who wish to avail of VSU Fellowship program in the second quarter meeting of the VSU Board of Regents.

In Research, Dr. Bacusmo pointed out that research is another area that sets VSU apart from the other SUCs and HEIs. With the retirement of many VSU research professors, he considers the need to train young instructors and professors who will continue doing research and extension.

Among the research initiatives being pursued by the University include: coconut where millions of trees were lost to Cocolisap and super typhoon Yolanda; 3D-mapping using light detection in ranging that can be used for disaster risk assessment reduction and management; generating high resolution maps through aerial imaging by launching drones with cameras in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University; continuation of the project on “Increasing Climate Change Resilience of Marginal Hilly Lands in Inopacan, Leyte”; transferring of the vacuum frying and dehydrating jackfruit of technologies to the Baybay Women’s Association and to Mr. Job Abuyabor of Mahaplag, Leyte, respectively; and the commercialization of sweetpotato wine and sweetpotato pickles technologies by some groups of students via TBI.

In Extension, Dr. Bacusmo revealed that the University is being looked up as technology provider for super typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation efforts of aid-agencies and national-line agencies. The National Abaca Research Center and the National Coconut Research Center are busy propagating thousands of planting materials that VSU has committed to PCA and to FAO for distribution to famers. Moreover, five million cuttings and planting materials of root crops will be produced and distributed to Yolanda-affected farms this year. VSU is also involved in providing livelihood to agrarian reform communities, and supports the capability building of ViCARP-member agencies in land use planning.

On Facility Development, every day you see this campus redesigned and rearranged as we pursue repairs, renovation and new construction. We have renovated the VSU Guesthouse; still renovating the VSU Pavilion and we plan to acquire a sound system, electric guitar, keyboard, and beat box for students’ use every Friday to hone their talents in playing musical instruments and singing; repaired the roofs of 25 classrooms of VSU-Tolosa Campus; started building the Olympic-size swimming pool; completed converting the greenhouse into the Department of Community Development and Extension; renovated the Convention Hall; started the construction of additional dormitory and staff apartment; and the on-going construction of the new library.

The president reiterated that he has not forgotten his promise to establish covered walks that will connect buildings, and to build more sports facilities before the end of his term. For the other three satellite campuses, the president will continue the renovation and conversion of the former library into a conference hall and build a new building with 12 rooms in VSU-Isabel, while VSU-Alangalang and VSU-Villaba buildings will undergo improvements.

Dr. Bacusmo also revealed that out of the PhP48.2-million share from DAP, new buildings shall be constructed such as the animal hospital for the College of Veterinary Medicine, a food innovation laboratory for the Department of Food Science and Technology, a technology business incubator or entrepreneurship laboratory for the College of Management and Economics, and one technical laboratory each for the satellite campuses.

Finally, he talked about Loving and Caring the University. Dr. Bacusmo emphasized everyone’s responsibility in keeping the University clean and beautiful. He encouraged all VSU constituents to help in maintaining cleanliness at the Eco Park as well as at the VSU Market. “We want to make this campus a better place for you, thus we put in place restrictions and regulations,” he said. Among these are: one-time use plastic in the market and bringing reusable bags or even net bags; forbidding students and the public to drink liquors and alcoholic beverages and to smoke cigarettes inside the campus; strolling around the campus half-naked; and leashing of pet dogs. He also reminded the faculty and staff, whose children insisted to smoke inside the campus, to reprimand them from those vices. “Parents, I know it is not easy but keep reminding your kids before this will have consequences on your living inside the campus and your integrity,” the University President stressed.

Moreover, the president reminded the VSU officials, instructors and professors, to respect those who are under their care—the weak and the vulnerable such as the students and the rank and file employees. He underscored that we cannot allow those with ascendancy or authority to abuse trust and confidence bestowed on them over students and employees whom they are suppose to respect, protect and nurture.

Dr. Bacusmo appealed to everybody to work together and keep the campus beautiful, peaceful, and a place where each of us can dream and make our dreams come true.