DAR honors Agraryo scholars in East Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 20, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently feted thirteen (13) recipients of the Programang Agraryo Iskolar (PAI) in Eastern Visayas who completed their college education and earned bachelor’s degrees last March of this year.

DAR Regional Director Eliasem Castillo presented certificates of recognition to the scholars during the culmination rite of the 24th anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) held on June 28 at the DAR Regional Office.

Director Castillo informed that of the 13 scholars who graduated this year from the different state universities and colleges in the region, seven were from Samar; three from Eastern Samar; two from Leyte; and one from Southern Leyte.

The successful Programang Agraryo Iskolars are Ginalyn Agravante, Niel Alvarez, Angelita Bote, Madel Noval, Jayson Rolio and Jessalyn Ocenar who all earned the degree on Bachelor of Agriculture Technology at the Northwest Samar State University, while Ma. Liza Beldad finished Bachelor of Secondary Education from the same institution.

The other honorees were Gregorio Boco who took up BS Secondary Education Major in Mathematics, Rommel Walohan who finished BS Elementary Education, and Jessalyn Ellado who finished BS Business Administration, all at the Eastern Samar State University.

Meanwhile, Jovy Caidoy took up BS Elementary Education at the Visayas State University); Jenilyn Clemencio took up BS Technology major in Home Economics and Livelihood Education at the Eastern Visayas State University; and Joseph Igpan finished BS Industrial Education from the Southern Leyte State University.

Igpan, in his testimony, recognized that without PAI it would be impossible for him to finish college education because his farmer-parents are really hard up and cannot afford to send him and his other siblings to school.

Igpan did not waste this opportunity. With his determination and intelligence, he took advantage of DAR’s scholarship program to realize his dream.

On his graduation day, he not only made his parents and the DAR management proud, he also stood as a bright shining star serving as an inspiration to other youth.

DAR 8 Information Officer Jose Alsmith L. Soria said that the PAI, which the agency considers as among its major accomplishments in improving the lives of the farmers, was introduced in 2003 to dependents of agrarian reform beneficiaries and had already produced over a hundred graduates in Region-8.