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| The Pasuquin 4H Club with Sen. Cynthia Villar (Lei Adriano) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—A youth organization in the farming barangay of Sulbec this town continues to inspire the agricultural community in its effort to help alleviate poverty in the countryside.
On July 27, 2018, the 4-H Sulbec Pasuquin youth club received another award as one of the country’s outstanding youth organizations courtesy of the Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge. SIPAG is an acronym for Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance, a non-profit organization founded by its chairman, former Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., which aims to support projects geared toward helping less fortunate Filipinos break free from poverty.
Grateful for the latest award, Crisner Lagazo, president of the 4-H Club in Sulbec received a trophy and a cash award worth PHP150,000.
“We are so thankful for the award which will motivate us further to continue what we have started,” said Mr. Lagazo.
Established in 2011, Mr. Lagazo said they formed the 4-H club in the village mainly to train and encourage young Ilocanos to get involved in agriculture.
“Sulbec is a farming village and over the years, we observed there are no more young farmers. Our farmers are aging. So, we thought of organizing a new blood of young farmers who will cultivate the land for the next generation,” Mr. Lagazo said.
With the help of agriculture department and other support organizations, the 4-H Club of Pasuquin is now a vibrant community of young farmers who are engage in vegetable farming and goat raising using the latest technology breakthroughs in agriculture.
Coming from a family of farmers, Mr. Lagazo said they have grown their membership into almost 50 members aged 10 to 30, inclusive of out-of-school youth.
Earlier this year, Mr. Lagazo’s group was also recognized in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards nationwide for being an inspiration to other youth members and create an impact in agricultural and community development.