Written by Radel Llagas and Photos, Taken by Nataniel Bermudez

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV CALABARZON hailed 19 individuals and groups as winners in the 2017-2018 Regional Gawad Saka (RGS) Awarding Ceremonies on October 12, 2018 at the Great Eastern Hotel, Quezon City.

In his message, Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa congratulates all the winners and give his gratitude to all participating individuals and groups in the region who joined this year’s RGS search.

The RGS is an annual event of the DA CALABARZON which recognizes farmers, fisherfolk, and raisers as well as groups who have excelled and made significant contributions in the development of the agriculture and fishery sector in their respective communities and the country.

The winners for this year’s RGS are: Zoren L. Marudo of Calamba City, Laguna as Outstanding Young Farmer; Paulino H. Sulibit* of Liliw, Laguna as Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer (Fruits/Plantation Crops); Rolando U. Villaluna* of Nasugbu, Batangas as Outstanding Fisherfolk-Fish Capture; Arnel A. Panganiban* of Tuy, Batangas as Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer; Salaban II Women’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative* of Ibaan, Batangas as Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal; Monte G. Manalo and Family of Batangas City, Batangas as Outstanding Farm Family; Ma. Almira C. Silva of Mira’s Turmeric Produces from Lipa City, Batangas as Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur; Daisynette D. Manalo* of DA-STIARC as Outstanding Agricultural Researcher; Fidel D. Sta. Catalina of Morong, Rizal as Outstanding Rice Farmer; Pablito G. Bautista of Teresa, Rizal as Outstanding Corn Farmer; Infanta Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC)* of Quezon Province as Outstanding MFARMC; Amelita Consuelo F. Lagaya of Lucban, Quezon as Outstanding Small Animal Raiser; Ayrin M. Llorin of Pagbilao, Quezon as Outstanding Organic Farmer; Nestor D. Malaluan* of Candelaria as Outstanding Coconut Farmer; Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club (RIC) Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Dolores, Quezon as Outstanding RIC; Loreto A. Basit* of Sariaya, Quezon as Outstanding Large Animal Raiser; Palcon Dairy Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Sariaya, Quezon as Outstanding Small Farmers’ Organization; Atimonan Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) of Quezon Province as Outstanding MAFC; and Quezon Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC)* as Outstanding PAFC.

Nine of them are National Gawad Saka Nominees.

*National Gawad Saka Nominee