Gov. Alferdo Marañon, Jr. told the farmer-graduates of the Eskwelahan sa Kahanginan on Organic Agriculture yesterday that they made the right choice for their livelihood because the way of the future is agriculture.

Marañon spoke at the graduation rites of 464 farmer-listeners who completed the four-month radio-class on organic agriculture at the Bacolod Pavillon in Bacolod City.

He said Negros Occidental is ahead in the country today, and faster in the implementation of organic farming, and that provinces visit Negros to learn about organic agriculture.

Marañon also assured the graduates that organic agriculture will give them more income since prices of its products are 20 percent higher than those ordinary ones.

He also thanked the Agricultural Training Institute Region VI for supporting the program of the province related to agriculture and assured the farmers on the support from the provincial government.

Marañon said, the province is also focusing on its food security programs because Marañon said, if there is food for the people, there will be peace, progress, and prosperity.

He also said Negros is working its way to becoming the organic capital of the Philippines and recalled the memorandum of agreement between the governors of Occidental (the late Joseph Marañon) and Negros Oriental (George Arnaiz) in 2005 witnessed by former president and now Pampangga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Tanjay City.

Meanwhile, ESK provincial coordinator, Edna Garde, said they also have 32 graduates from Passi and San Enrique towns in Iloilo province.

Meanwhile, the Top 8 Achievers, Top 5 Notebooks, and the Top 50 Students also received certificates and prizes.

Top 8 Achievers were Ma. Gracia Roldan (94.76-Candoni), Rhoda Amparo (92.61-Bacolod), Samuelita Davido (91.70-Candoni), Glen Magturo (91.60-Candoni), Jose Raime Roldan (91.24-Candoni), Zyrell Paduhilao (90.66-Candoni), and Reynaldo Bedaure (90.40-Valladolid).

The Top 5 Notebooks were given to students took down effective notes during the lectures. They were Marlyn Belarmino of Silay City, Juana Jison of La Carlota City, Fred Genandoy of Victorias City, Felisa Mijares, and Pelobello Remedios, both of Himamaylan City. *LTG

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