The Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) conducted the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Rubber Production Technology in DA ZAMPIARC, Sanito Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay last December 1-4, 2015. The activity was opened with a word by PRRI Interim Executive Director Rodolfo Galang. The resource speaker was Mr. Rogelio Testado, a retired professor of the University of Southern Mindanao. This TOT was organized in cooperation of the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay through the Provincial Agriculturist Mr. Zosimo Arevalo and HCVDP Head Reynaldo Are.
The week-long TOT on rubber production technology included lectures and hands-on training. The participants included: 15 Municipal Agriculturists, 10, Agriculture Technicians, 6 Rubber Operators, 4 Provincial Agriculturists and 10 PRRI Staff. The Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Officer gave orientation to the participants on how to apply for a National Certificate or NC II in different competencies. TESDA Representative Maria Theresa Socorro explained how to avail the National Certificate if you pass the 4-year course of Rubber Production Technology which included the following:
- Establish budwood garden and seedling
nursery
- Plant rubber operation
- Perform budding operation
- Harvest latex. For instance if you failed to
one of these, you cannot obtain your
Certificate (COC) or else you need to retrain
your course where you failed.
During the training, there were field exposures for the participants at TARBEMCO Rubber Plantation which included hands-on training. Trainers performed lay outing of rubber nursery and rubber plantation. They also performed budding operations, plant rubber trees and practicum of rubber tapping. The course facilitator wished the participants to finish well of the said training. The next day all of the participants proceeded to R.T. Li m Technical Training and Assessment Center (RTL TTAC) to receive this National Certificate which was the goal of every participants.
Special thanks to the manager of RTL TTAC, Mr. Juanito Rojas and the efforts of the Rubber Assessors for giving their support in assessing the participants and the PRRI Staff. The participants of the said event were the following: Reynaldo Are, Fidel Galeon, Benjamin Accompnaiado, Rex Lagasca, Anisio Aniban, Mary Jane Penales, Franco Sale, Angelito Primitiva, Jobert Luab, Annabelle Villares, Arnaez Villapana, Arnel Baranda, Aurelio Cababat, Avelita Alepe, Edgar Enrico, Florentina Jorge, Henry Lopez, Joel Vigilia, Rinalyn, Jaspe, Sandy Bacus, and PRRI Staff. (Prepared by: Allan Boy Tabigue)
