The municipality of Talibon bagged two of the three national awards of the 2018 Rice Achievers Awards (RAA) during a ceremony held at the Philippine Convention Center in Pasay City on May 30, 2019.

Talibon was cited as the Outstanding Municipality while San Roque Irrigators Association (SARISA) of Talibon town also bagged the Outstanding Small Water Irrigation System Association (SWISA) award during the event which was attended by Senator Cynthia Villar who commended the awardees for their contribution in national rice production.

It was the second time that the municipality of Talibon was cited by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as one of the Rice Achiever Awardees in the entire country for attaining rice sufficiency for the year 2016 and 2018.

Sangguniang Bayan Chair on Agriculture and Fisheries Councilor Apolinario E. Artiaga, Municipal Agriculturist Angelito A. Oroyan, Rice Technician Angeles C. Opiala, and Information Officer Almer D. Polo who represented the Talibon local government unit received the plaque and P1 million cheque allotted for agricultural programs during the awarding last Thursday afternoon.

For the Outstanding Small Water Irrigation System Association award, SARISA also received P500, 000.00 cheque.

RAA is an annual search of DA to give recognition to outstanding provinces, municipalities/cities, agricultural extension workers (AEW), local farmer technicians (LFT), Irrigators Association (IA) and Small Water Irrigation System Association (SWISA) for their contribution in the rice industry as well as to encourage them to deliver excellence through improved quality and higher yield production.

Those adjudged as top performing local government units and farmers’ organizations were given cash incentives through the DA Rice Program.

Talibon Mayor Restituto B. Auxtero’s administration continues to enhance the quality of agriculture in Talibon by providing support to local farmers and improving farming practices with the use of the modern technologies and machineries.

Auxtero attributed the award to the indispensable Talibongnon farmers who tirelessly worked on their farms with dedication. 

Meanwhile, two Bohol irrigators associations namely: Gabibu Irrigators Association of Ubay town (for the Irrigators association category) and Pansul United Farmers Association (PUFA) of Guindulman town for the Small Water Irrigation System Association (SWISA) category won top special awards. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)