The prestigious Gawad Saka Awards is a tradition of the Department of Agriculture. A beautiful tradition that highlights the best agri-practitioners in the countryside. This tradition fills the need for role models as an instrument of progress in the countryside. In these difficult times, it is felt that we need these models more than ever. Even when the Gawad Saka awarding ceremonies was moved from its original date; I managed to attend the same because this wonderful tradition is a must for an agri-enthusiast like me. However, a nagging question comes to mind: what happens after the awardees go home to rest on his or her laurels? I feel the need for a mechanism to harness the talents of the awardees to a higher plane-that of reaching out to the community and helping that community to progress. He or she must be the catalyst for growth. Catalysts and role models who can be copied and replicated. The “gaya-gaya” system works well in this instance.
I take this occasion to congratulate Region [Is Dr. Gumersido Lasam as a champion advocate of Gawad Saka. I personally witnessed how he and his team worked and they are all truly impressive. Maybe he should think of infecting the entire island with his leadership given the success of the production of corn, rice and other commodities in Cagayan Valley. I saw Cecile and company but I did not have time to bond with them. Truly, I remember very well my visit to Region II and the outstanding achievers of their Region.
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Posted on August 21st, 2008 under Special Report. Comments: None
