By Claro A. Lanipa
BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur – To provide the
participants the correct rubber tapping technology, a four-day Rubber
Productivity and Quality Improvement Training on rubber tapping management was
conducted on Sept. 24-27, 2013 at the
Timbermines Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMMULCO) building in this town.
The training, which was attended by 30 rubber farmers,
is a convergence project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training
Institute (DA-ATI), TIMMULCO in coordination with the municipal government.
Reynaldo Beduya of DA-ATI taught the participants
proper rubber tapping techniques with hands-on rubber tapping and latex
collection, while Noli Camocamo of the same agency conducted an assessment on the
skills acquired by the participants.
Meanwhile, Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr. expressed his
profound thanks to the sponsoring agencies saying, “Bayoganons will now be able
to augment their income with this newly acquired technology.”
He added that the LGU will soon operate its own rubber
processing plant to get the “price level” stable to the benefit of both rubber
traders and farmers.
Babasa said: “The technology that is transferred to you
will absolutely help you earn more with your right attitude.
DOLE provided the starter kits composed of three
tapping knives, boots, two hand gloves, helmet, two masks, two pieces raincoats
(trouser and pants).
TESDA also provided P500 to each participants to cover
their assessment fee (practicum, written and oral assessment), while the DTI
and TIMMULCO provided the school supplies, and food and accommodation,
respectively.