ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PIA) — Teacher Leydee Sedino of Buenavista, Guimaras said she is grateful to the Department of Agriculture for initiating its School-on-the Air (SOA) program, which is beneficial not only to farmers but also to educators like her.

Sedino is one of 383 graduates of the Agri-Pinoy SOA on Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture program of the Department of Agriculture who were confirmed and given certificates of completion during a program which had the semblance of a traditional graduation last December 9, 2011 here in Iloilo City.

The SOA on Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture program was aired three-times a week over DYRI from 4:00 – 4:30 a.m. It started in July and run through November this year, attraction over 600 enrollees from Iloilo and Guimaras provinces.

In her testimony as one of the SOA’s outstanding graduates, Sedino said although the SOA requires her to multi-task, preparing food for her children and herself for school while listening to the radio, she decided to enroll because she found the course timely and relevant.

She said whatever lessons on organic farming and sustainable agriculture she obtained from SOA teachers, she has transferred to her pupils and has even shared during Parents-Teachers Association meetings.

“By doing so, we can do our part by becoming agents of change,” Sedino said as she cited the significant contribution of organic agriculture in the preservation of environment, productivity and personal health.

Joining Sedina in the list of outstanding graduates were Elna Soldevilla of Pototan, Iloilo; Wilfredo Galicia of Calinog; Anita Detore of Dingle; Zenon Molanda of Maasin; Romeo Cordero of Pototan; Ricky Olimpo of San Enrique; Iris Villanueva of Mina; Leila Rosbero and Ma. Jelly Ayalin of Passi City; Rubelyn Malutao of Btac. Viejo; and Magdalena Tacay of Leon.

Special citation was given to Arla Arenga, a DA employee who had been religiously following the program and gained a perfect score during the final assessment examination given to determine the level of knowledge acquired by enrollees on the topics covered in the course.

He may not be included in the outstanding graduates, but 52-year- old Nonito Biyo of Brgy. Abangay, Janiuay, Iloilo is also proud to be a recipient of the certificate of completion. Biyo even bought a rechargeable transistor radio, so he would not miss the lessons on the air. A former overseas worker, he wanted to increase his knowledge on agriculture especially on organic farming.

DA 6 Regional Technical Director for Operations Engr. Remelyn Recoter congratulated the graduates and recognized their continued support for the SOA as some of them have also completed the other SOAs conducted by the regional office.

She also stressed the importance of the topics covered by the nearly five-month course on sustainable and organic agriculture aimed at securing the country’s efforts in achieving food sufficiency and address climate change.

DA 6 OIC Regional Agri-Fishery Information Division Chief Juvy Gaton said over 10 SOAs on various topics related to the programs of the department have already been conducted in the region to date, which were strengthened by the support of the local government units.

Marfe Quinlat, the officer-in-charge Municipal Agriculture Officer of Dingle, Iloilo, who was with the graduates, said the program helped the DA in reaching farmers in remote villages in the province who could not attend the lectures and training the agency usually conducts in the town’s center