agriculture-related course as he spoke in the 65th Commencement Exercises of
Andres Bonifacio College (ABC) in Dipolog City recently.
Alcala was invited by the Amatong's to be their school's Commencement Speaker
last March 19.
As he delivered his speech, the Secretary especially mentioned John Carlo
Realiza (not sure) for being the sole graduate for the course Bachelor of Arts
in Agricultural Technology.
Of the 456 graduates of various courses, Business Management Education has the
highest number of graduates at 83 followed by BS Nursing with 72.
"Wala talagang gustong maging magsasaka. Nalulungkot ako dahil iisa lang ang
nakapagtapos ng kursong agrikultura. Whether we like it or not, the farmers are
feeding the nation," the secretary said.
It may be recalled that Alcala has urged youth to study agriculture-related
course while admitting that the farmers are aging not only in the Philippines
but also to other countries like Japan with average age of 60.
Alcala then declared to sponsor 10 scholars to study in Agriculture to be
enrolled in ABC aside from free tuition fees, the scholars will also receive
school allowance.
Seeing the parents of the graduates, Alcala also encouraged them to invest in
Agriculture, saying: "may pera sa pagsasaka at tataas ang living condition
ninyo."
Alcala likewise encouraged them to come and visit his learning farm in Quezon
Province which he successfully transformed the living condition of the farmers
while he was still serving as Congressman.
"Narevolutionalized ko ang agriculture sector in Quezon, we eliminated at least
two layers of middlemen. Ngayon, nakakabili na sila (farmers) ng sasakyan,
napaayos na ang kanilang bahay," he said. (Remai S. Alejado/da9)
