1. e-Extension Agenda April 2010
Vol. III No. 5 April 2010
Glancing back to 2009
e-Extension Program Assessment and Planning Workshop Held
A
NGELES, PAMPANGA -- “Taking
a step further, a notch higher”
this becomes the statement
that summarizes the accomplishments
of the e-Extension Program for
Agriculture and Fisheries for 2009.
Reviewing the past activities
and planning for the next steps in
view of the more challenges faced
by the Institute, the ATI as the lead
implementing agency, held its third
program assessment and planning
workshop for the e-Extension Program,
aptly called “e-Extension CoMotion”.
The e-Extension CoMotion
The first assessment for the
program in 2008 featured the first
seven ATI Training Centers involved in
the program, and the following year
Farmers' Contact Center ►page 6
taps PLDT What’s Inside
M
ANILA PHILIPPINES -- In a frequent conversation with someone, ICTwares turnover
world of technology advances we simply send a text or SMS. All of the Aurora e-Village ----------- 2
where anyone who doesn’t these, made easy for us by each and
embrace the change gets left behind, every breakthroughs in technology. ICT Roadshow
there is a need to come out of our Realizing all the things that for Aurora e-Village --------------- 3
old-customs-shell and live in the technology innovations could do
world of innovation. When we need a to make day-to-day living easier, Quo Vadis -------------------------- 4
fast-search, we refer to the internet. then Agriculture Secretary Arthur
Thoughts on the
When we ought to reconnect with C. Yap took hold of these and
e-Extension CoMotion ------------ 5
families that are oceans away, we do a directed it towards an agriculture-
voice call. When we want a short but beneficial mechanism. As such, the Any Pace, Any Place -------------- 5
FCC’s Text Support wrapped up
►page 7 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 identified access points while for Maria
of Aurora will now enjoy. Through the Aurora the barangay of Detailen,
help of ICT wares that were distributed Cabaticulan West, Bazal, Quirino,
to the identified beneficiaries of the Florida, Debucao and Maria Aurora
Aurora e-Village Project,
the farmers in Aurora The municipalities of Baler,
province will now have
the opportunity to
San Luis, Maria Aurora and
acquire knowledge at Dipaculao were provided with
their own finger tips. ICT wares as part of the benefits
Aiming for a faster of Aurora e-Village project
Information transfer Dir. Saliot delivers his message
during the turnover ceremony
and a much easier transaction-based Development Cooperative will serve as
farming business, the computers the access points. empowers our farmers and fishers and
that were distributed will be installed Also for the town of Dipaculao, in general the agriculture and fisheries”
in the identified 19 access points. the access points can be found in Saliot added when he delivered his
Barangays Punagi, message.
Salay, Mucdol, Ipil Aurora Provincial Administrator
and Dimabuno Alex Ocampo received the ICT wares
Kababaihan Producers for the province in behalf of Governor
Cooperative. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo. Ocampo said
Gracing the that “Aurora Province is very fortunate
turnover ceremony to be the recipient of this project”. He
were the heads also added that with these ICT wares
of the different “Ang magsasaka ng Aurora ngayon ay
implementing hindi na lang traditional farmer kungdi
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
Heads of implementing agencies turnover the ICT wares to Mayor Philippines, Atty. Rice Processing Complex, Baler, Aurora.
Arthur Angara of Baler, Aurora as one of the project beneficiaries Ronilo A. Beronio of (BCNatividad)
Each computer was designed in an Department of Agriculture (DA)-
The e-Extension Agenda
ATM machine-like kiosk coupled Philippine Rice Research Institute
Volume III Number 5
with database on rice and other (PhilRice) and Director Asterio P. April 2010
commodities. It will also have a Saliot of DA-Agricultural Training
system that is connected to the Rice Institute (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 town 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 to one million tons
with the Glory to GOD Multi-Purpose per year” he said. Advisers Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III
Cooperative were selected as access “The proliferation of Evelyn Aro-Esquejo PhD, MNSA, CESO VI
Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV
points. For the town of San Luis, these ICT wares somehow
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 --
Intending to increase • Aurora e-Village Project aims to
the awareness and integrate ICT as part of a rural
knowledge about the Aurora community’s life to improve
e-Village project, an ICT access to information, enhance
roadshow was held for the four productivity, increase family
central towns of the Aurora income and improve quality of
province namely Dipaculao, life in the community. It also aims
Maria Aurora, San Luis and Baler. to provide a collective strategy
These four towns are also the in the adoption, dissemination,
pilot areas for the first phase of and commercialization of
the project. technology-based, market driven
The Aurora e-Village production system for agricultural
project aims to integrate ICT The roadshow was participated by the project
implementers namely ATI, DAP, Philrice and PGA productivity and competitiveness.
as part of a rural community’s
life to improve access to information, respective electronic extension • For the first phase of the project,
enhance productivity, increase family services which will be part of the four municipalities of Aurora will
income and thereby improve the project. ATI’s e-learning, Farmers’ be the main beneficiaries, namely
quality of life in the community. It also Contact Center and livelihood trainings Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis and
aims to provide a collective strategy are among the services that will be Dipaculao. Local cooperatives
in the adoption, dissemination, and accessed through the Aurora e-Village from these four municipalities
commercialization of technology- project. The residents of Aurora had a will be capacitated to provide
based and market-driven production glimpse of the e-services through the technology-based information
system for agricultural productivity Mobile Internet Bus of PhilRice. that they can share with the
and competitiveness. The project is As part of its extension efforts for farmers. For the second phase,
being implemented by the Department the project, the ATI gave out bags the project will be implemented in
of Agriculture through Agricultural of IEC materials to the barangay the four remaining municipalities
Training Institute (ATI ) and Philippine captains, Municipal Agriculturists and of Aurora namely, Casiguran,
Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to the FITS Centers in the selected Dingalan, Dilasag and Dinalungan
together with the Development municipalities.
Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and The Local Government Units • Through the project about
the Provincial Government of Aurora. (LGUs) of the four towns were in 1,200 farmers will be trained
Focusing on explaining the project full support led by their respective on rice production technology
and its benefits, a briefing on the mayors. In their welcome remarks, particularly organic farming,
Aurora e-Village Project was one of the the mayors acknowledged the benefits managing cost, maintain
highlights of the roadshow. Likewise, of the project to their respective high levels of productivity
the ATI and PhilRice presented their municipalities and encouraged their and quality; organize small
constituents to support village level clusters of farmers
the project. Anabelle (cluster of 5 to 10 farmers) for
Tangson, Mayor of San effective management at low
Luis, Aurora, expressed administrative cost.
her appreciation to
the project and to • The project plans to unify farmers
the implementers rice production process through
specifically Philrice for synchronizing the planting,
their techno demo farm harvesting and delivery schedules
and ATI for the first among large number of farmer
training conducted on growers at the village level and
off-season pineapple synchronizing the provision
production. of farm support services from
The ICT roadshow land preparation (tractors) to
was held last February harvesting (threshers).
4 and 5, 2010.
A briefing on ATI’s electronic extension services was done (BCNatividad)
which will also be part of the project
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 that’s why logically
have put it in Pilipino or English, so the same time, each one and necessarily
I would have really understood what of them clamoring for the FCC has to
it was trying to say, so I would have attention. At least, that lead eventually to
really asked myself and pondered upon was how it felt initially, electronic trading.
and meditated on my, er, direction. while we were working The power of ICT
Nevertheless it is a phrase that on the pre-launching should help farmers
keeps popping up in my mind rather regional consultation and fisherfolks get
frequently lately. Other people must be workshop. good price for their
asking themselves the same question. The FCC launch in produce.
It is good to ask oneself once in a Bohol held November But then again,
while where one is going – a kind of 28th is an eye-opener. The arguably that is still
self-reassessment. determination in the voice of our several steps down the line.
The launching of the Farmers’ Director and the insights shared by the The Secretary’s dictum matches
Contact Center offered that rare Secretary perceptively stirred those Director Saliot’s reminder: the Farmers’
chance to take stock of oneself… as who were present, probably more so Contact Center is a concrete step
an institution, that is. It occurred to those who were involved in the nitty- towards empowering our agriculture
me that it was a turning point in the gritty of the preparations months and fisheries sector.
Department of Agriculture’s history. before the actual launch. Quo Vadis? There is no other way.
It was a big move, rather akin to a Secretary Yap’s message In the light of globalization, which
was stunning in its clarity, exerts immense pressure on our
yet demanding action: we producers to find more sustainable and
need to give farmers the efficient food and biofuel production
right information, at the right techniques; in the face of climate
time. It was that simple. change, which Secretary Yap describes
The Farmers’ Contact Center as a handicap for our farmers and
aims, first and foremost, fisherfolks; in the midst of escalating
to give timely and right prices of agricultural inputs… there
information by bring 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 *Media Production Specialist & e-Extension
Coordinator from ATI Regional Training
be a business concern –
Center V-Bicol Region
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 15-19, 2010 at Oasis Hotel coordinators on the components of the team building activities that were
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 *Media Production Specialist & e-Extension
the e-learning courses. The Coordinator from ATI Regional Training
coordinators were also briefed Center VIII-Leyte
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
it included another seven more
ATI Training Centers. This year’s
assessment featured the whole
network of training centers of
ATI 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 The e-Extension coordinators revised their
“e-Extension CoMotion”. WFPs after the discussions on the indicators.
The activity aimed to update
the coordinators on the e-Extension management were represented by
Program, assess the implementation Director Asterio P. Saliot and Assistant
of the e-Learning and e-Farming Director Alberto Maningding, both
components and the planned have nothing but positive feedback for
institutionalization activities of e-Extension.
the Techno Gabay Program being In his opening remarks,
implemented by the DOST-Philippine Maningding commended that the
Council for Agriculture, e-Extension Program is the “more LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN -- The 10th
Forestry and organized program National Convention of the League of
among the several Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal
programs of Agriculturists and City Agriculturists of the
The e-Extension assessment is ATI” in the Philippines Inc. (LeMMCAP) was held last
a yearly undertaking, wherein sense that March 10-12, 2010.
One of the highlights of the event was
coordinators from the 17 ATI it can be
the briefing on the e-Extension Program
Training Centers gather to review seen,
for Agriculture and Fisheries, particularly
heard
and assess the activities for focusing on the newly introduced service,
and felt the Farmers' Contact Center (FCC) and
e-Extension done the past year not only by the new e-learning courses being offered
us but also through the Program.
Natural by our clients. He
Resources also added that “among
Research and Development the five major programs of the ATI
(PCARRD-DOST). The activity served the e-Extension Program is the cutting
as a good forum for formulating edge of the Institute”.
corresponding action plans at the Saliot also commented that “the
National Level and at the Center Level. e-Extension Program is very clear
During the assessment, ATI’s top and have created a difference among
us." He added,“More challenges will
come your way but I know that
you will accept it because it
is another chance to make a
difference for the country.” DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY -- Guests
from the Institute of Chartered
Activities and Discussions Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL)
The four-day assessment recently visited the Agriculture and
included discussions and Fisheries Knowledge Center (AFKC)
activities related to e-Extension Computer Laboratory for a briefing
and it components. Ms. on the extension modalities through
the Information and Communication
Antonieta J. Arceo, Chief of
Technology (ICT), specifically
the ATI Knowledge Products the e-Extension Program of the
Management Division presented Department of Agriculture where the
the e-Extension updates and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is
the lead implementing agency. The visit
e-Extension Coordinators presented their aims to learn new methods on how to
accomplishment reports for 2009 ►page 8 deliver their services through ICT.
6

7. e-Extension
e-Extension Agenda April 2010
technical expertise will
FCC Taps PLDT..... be readily accessible to
From page 1 the agriculture sector at
their fingertips.
Farmers Contact Center (FCC) of the For the FCC to be
Department of Agriculture (DA) was fully operational, the
established. Agricultural Training
With the FCC, the farmers and Institute (DA-ATI)
fishers can easily access information tapped the Philippine
they need in their farm activities. Long Distance
Information on current prices of Telecommunications
commodities, marketing of farm Company (PLDT) for
produce, and control measures for their products and
pest and disease incidents, among services which includes
others will just be one call or a text On-Call, Netcast, DSL
away. Likewise, the Department’s internet The signing of contract with PLDT was lead by then DA-
connection Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Secretary Bernie G. Fondevilla
and mobile
communication.
Leading the For the FCC to be fully
DA team, Yap operational, the DA-ATI tapped
along with the products and services of PLDT
Undersecretary
Bernie G. Fondevilla
sealed an agreement last
Management Head and Mr. Anthony
February 2010 for the
Lim, the Assistant Vice President and
said services with PLDT’s
the Head of Government Relationship
Mr. Renato Castañeda,
Business.
Vice President and the
Thus, being a partner in this
DA and PLDT finalized their partnership after Corporate Relationship
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 up 2009
with a bang!
D
ILIMAN, QUEZON CITY -- Just were stray SMS and queries as well e-farming services of the Department
as the Text Support of the as congratulatory notes, simple of Agriculture through the e-Extension
Farmers’ Contact Center opened acknowledgements for sent replies/ Program for Agriculture and Fisheries,
the year 2009 with a blast by unveiling answers to Clients’ queries such where ATI is the lead implementing
its 5-digit text hotline – 391-DA (391- as "Thank you". This was followed agency. It is a quick-helpdesk
32), it finished off the year with a closely by the A&F Technologies with on A&F concerns that farmers,
whack as it accumulated queries that 270 queries pertaining to Cultural fishers, extension workers and agri-
reached far-off the expected numbers. Management, Dryer Equipment, New entrepreneurs may refer to. It is being
As such, the queries on agriculture Technology, Process Application, Soil manned by ATI’s Contact Center Agents
and fisheries (A&F) sent to the Text Deficiency, Varieties / Breeds / Species, in collaboration with DA’s bureaus and
Support reached a stunning total and Vermicomposting. partner agencies. As such, through
of 2,751. Of which, the e-Learning this initiative, the technical expertise of
people in the Department will just be
within arm’s reach for the A&F sector.
(YCR Agsawa)
Glancing back to 2009.....
From page 6
discussed the Techno Gabay Program
(TGP) Implementing Rules and
Regulation (IRR), as ATI will be
instituted with the TGP by 2012. The
coordinators also presented their
accomplishments for their respective
centers.
With the implementation
of the Farmers’ Contact Center
Program of the Agricultural Training Other queries received by the (FCC), the coordinators' roles and
Institute (ATI) came to be the hottest Textline are as follows: Pest and responsibilities also expanded,
topic with 1,757 queries. Among these Disease Management on various including some major concerns on
were inquiries on enrollment keys, commodities with 163 queries; ATI the implementation of the e-Farming
confirmation of new user-registrations, Programs and Services with 138 component of the Program. In
certificates of completion, and some inquiries; Marketing concerns with addition, Ms. Milagros C. Urbano
technical assistance in accessing the 107 questions; and Programs of the of the ATI Extension Governance
e-learning site. Department of Agriculture (DA) with 38 and Planning Division presented
Second, with 278 texts which queries. the Agricultural Extension Workers'
Database and discussed the added
With this success roles and responsibilities of the
kicked off by the e-Extension coordinators for this
Text Support, the endeavor. Revisions and adjustment
remaining components on the 2010-2011 WFP for the
of the FCC were e-Extension Offices specifically the
launched by November target indicators was also discussed
last year, opening followed by preparation of the
further its services to regional work and financial plans of
call, email, and online the e-Extension coordinators.
communication such The third program assessment
as fora and instant and planning workshop was held
messaging (IM). last March 15-19, 2010 at the Oasis
The FCC is the Hotel, Clark, Angeles Pampanga.
alternative delivery (BCNatividad)
channel for the
8