1. May 2009 e-Extension Agenda 1
Vol. I No. 3 May 2009
e-Learning Reloaded What’s Inside
Knowledgebase for
S
ince its launching in December to April 3, 2009 at ATI-CAR in A&F expanding--------------2
2007, the e-Learning La Trinidad, Benguet, which was
component of the e-Extension participated by 25 courseware ATI RTC
Program for Agriculture and Fisherie developers and coordinators of the Webmasters enhance
has received positive feedbacks and ATI’s e-Learning offfices (eLO). ATIiNteractive--------------2
citations both here and abroad. The activity was also a good
To further strengthen the venue for reloading the e-Learning Aurora e-Village
delivery of e-Learning services, component with a new set of Project -----------------------4
the Agricultural Training Institute courses this year and with some
(ATI), the lead implementing more features to enhance it further, Demystifying e-Learning
agency of the e-Extension Program, one year after its inception. in Palawan-------------------6
conducted an assessment and  page3
review workshop last March 29 ELOs From Palawan---------6

2. 2 e-Extension Agenda May 2009
Knowledgebase for A & F expanding
I
ntensifying its commitment to particularly the Bureau of Animal
help its stakeholders especially Industry, Bureau of Agricultural
the farmers and fishers in the Research, Bureau of Agricultural
country, the Agricultural Training Statistics, Fertilizer and
Institute (ATI) spearheaded the Pesticide Authority, Ginintuang
Meeting on the Development of the Masaganang Ani (GMA)
Initial Knowledgebase on Agriculture Programs on Corn and High
and Fisheries last Value Commercial Crops (HVCC),
March 10, 2009 at Agricultural
the Agriculture and Focal Persons set the Marketing
Fisheries Knowledge tone in developing the Assistance
Focal Persons from the various AFEN agencies
Center at the ATI Service,
initial knowledgebase gathered for a meeting with Mr. Rey Alo discuss-
Central Office, Philippine ing the text support for farmers
Diliman, Quezon Coconut
City. Authority, and for the pool of experts involved in
Together with the Agriculture Bureau of Postharvest Research the activity.
and Fisheries Extension Network Extension. Each was represented Noting its important
(AFEN) member agencies, the ATI with the designated focal contribution to the success of
hopes to realize its objective of person. the text support center, ATI Asst.
building a knowledge base and Discussed during the Dir. Alberto B. Maningding urged
create a pool of experts for the Text meeting were the overview and the focal persons to keep their
Support Center. the status of the e-Extension communication lines open for
AFEN partners present during Program for A & F, the Text possible queries.(BCNatividad)
the meeting are the agencies under Support Center for A & F and the
the Department of Agriculture, formulation of terms of reference
ATI-RTC Webmasters
Enhance ATIiNteractive The e-Extension Agenda
Vol. I No. 2
T
December 2008
o have a faster and better the ATI Central office. The training
service for our clients have was initiated by the Knowledge Editor Theresa Aurora B. Cosico
always been my dream for Products Management Division Writers Anna Marie N. Medrano
ATI and through ICT I think we (KPMD). Vic Thor A. Palarca
could achieve this.” This was the The training aims to conform Benedict C. Natividad
message of ATI Director Asterio to the overall theme of ATIi and
familiarize the participants to the Contributors Primalou Imperial (ATI-RTC 5)
P. Saliot to the participants during
Merrian Piquero Soliva (ATI-RTC 6)
the WebMasters’ Site Theming salient features of the website
Workshop for ATiInteractive (ATIi) as well as the ATI’s intranet. Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad
training last April 21 to 23 2009 at Participants came from the ATI
Training Centers nationwide, Editorial Consultants Antonieta J. Arceo
Pamela MG. Mappala
who are all designated as ATI Jose Rey Y. Alo e-Learning
webmasters. ATIiN is a webportal Process Adviser
for the Philippine extension Advisers
and training which consists of AD Evelyn Aro-Esquejo MNSA, CESO VI
the official website of ATI, the AD Alberto B. Maningding MNSA, CESO IV
Dir. Asterio P. Saliot MNSA, CESO III
e-Extension Program site, ATI
intranet and ATI webmail.
During the opening program,
Mr. Alo, e-Learning Process Adviser, ATI’s Assistant Director Evelyn
briefing the webmasters on the work  page 4
that will be doing in the 3-day training

3. May 2009 e-Extension Agenda 3
From page 1 informed the participants on a
e-Learning Reloaded collaborative project between
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture (DA) and the United
Furthermore, the participants States Department of Agriculture
were refreshed on their roles (USDA), which includes e-Extension
and responsibilities as well as as one of its components. He said
introduced and familiarized on the that the results of the assessment
new features of the system. and review workshop will be
During the Opening Program, incorporated in this undertaking.
Deputy Director for Policy and To date, 17 e-Learning Offices
Administration Evelyn Aro-Esquejo (eLOs) all over the country have ATI-CAR ELO coordinators Bong Bong Bulli-e
expressed that the participants been established with 38 eLO and Max Aromin discuss their output during
can reflect on the results of the coordinators and 40 courseware the workshop
workshop and consider these for developers trained to assist in the
future reference in identifying what administration and development in Puerto Princesa and Aboabo,
is lacking with the program and of the e-learning courses. This Sofronio Espanola and the Bureau
what needs to be improved in the comprises the 13 ATI Regional of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
future. She also congratulated Training Centers in Regions I, II, - Regional Fisheries Training Center
the ATI-Knowledge Products III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, IV-B.(AMNMedrano)
Management Division (KPMD) for X, XI, Caraga and the Cordillera
consistently taking the initiative in Administrative Region, the ATI-
holding such activities. International Training Center
Deputy Director for Agriculture on Pig Husbandry, the Palawan
and Fisheries Extension Operations Agricultural Experiment Station
Palawan launches e-Extension Hub
Alberto B. Maningding likewise
for Agri and Fisheries in the promotion and carrying out
of DA’s e-Extension Program for
A
fter its conceptualization in Agricultural Experiment Stations in Agriculture and Fisheries.
2007, the e-Extension Hub of Abo-abo and Puerto Princesa. An initiative of ATI-Regional
Palawan was finally launched The event was graced by Training Center IV-B, a Php 5
last March 19, 2009 in Barangay Department of Agriculture million fund from the DA-GMA-
Abo-abo, Sofronio Española in (DA) Assistant Secretary Salvador HVCC Program through Cong.
Southern Palawan. Salacup, Congressman Abraham Baham Mitra was allotted for the
This was held in conjunction Kahlil Mitra, Dr. Rene Rafael construction of e-learning facilities
with the launching and turn- Espino, Program Director of the and provision of trainings.
over of Southern Palawan DA’s Ginintuang Masaganang (AMNMedrano)
Tabu-an Center, a structure Ani-High Value Commercial Crops
built to serve as a market and (GMA HVCC) Program, Dr. Antonio
trading place for the agricultural G. Gerundio, Regional Executive
produce of farmers and fishers Director of DA-Regional Field Unit
in the area. Another highlight of IV-B and Director Asterio P. Saliot
the event was the ceremonial of DA-Agricultural Training Institute
turn-over of computers for (DA-ATI).
the partner agencies in the Dir. Saliot explained during
implementation of e-Extension the program the importance of
activities in Palawan. With this, information dissemination in
e-Extension Offices have been facilitating trade of agricultural
products. He further noted that Together with ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot, DA
established at the Bureau of
the DA-ATI has been very active Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup and RFU
Fisheries Aquatic Resources- IV-B RED Dr. Antonio Gerundio, Cong. Baham
Regional Fisheries Training Center in collaborating with all agencies Mitra launched the Palawan agri and fisheries
IV-B and the Palawan of DA as well as the Department techno hub
of Science and Technology (DOST)

4. 4 e-Extension Agenda May 2009
From page 2 What are our e-Learners Say
ATI-RCT Webmasters enhance...
“The information presented back to the Philippines for good
Aro-Esquejo reiterated that the in the course (Banana1) was starting next year, 2009 to finally
Philippines is one of the leaders in well-laid out, detailed and do something on my piece of land
terms of extension delivery system comprehensible... didn’t have in Sariaya, Quezon that now lie
and she expressed her appreciation to attend field demonstrations idle. I have been in search of
to the efforts exerted by the because the images were appropriate plants to grow ... I
webmasters to make ATI’s dream understandable and clear enough.” thought in the intervening months
come true — that is enhancing the — Francisco Calang, Agusan del I could learn something that I
corporate image of the Institute in Norte, February 2008 could apply when I get back. That
the world wide web. is the reason for my trying to
Featured during the three- “...thank you for providing me enroll. Anyway I hope to try my
day training were the lectures access to this unique site. This luck again if I’m finally in the
on the concept of theming is a very good outreach program Philippines. In the meantime I will
versus designing, accessing and you are providing to people who definitely access your technokits.
understanding the Google Analytics will be interested to learn agri Once again my thanks and keep up
which were all discussed by Mr. from comforts of their home and the good work.”
Joserey Y. Alo, ATI’s eLearning anytime at that. Keep up the good — Romeo Maghirang, Vancouver,
Process Advisor. work.” Canada, August 2008
Google Analytics is a tool — Raymund Reyes, Manila,
used to monitor the site traffic January 2009 “Thanks for being of invaluable
of a certain website. Mr. Alo also help to agricultural extension
discussed the new features, as well “...I would like to thank you for workers. Keep it up!”
as the overview and participants these great ideas. MABUHAY — Jenny Lorenzo, January 2009
walk through the new corporate PO KAYO! I have 12 hectares
theme of ATIi. Guided workshops of farm lot in Subic, Zambales “We are so blessed for having
on site tweaking, node aliasing and wherein I am planning to establish these very informative Courses.
legacy theme troubleshooting were the feed resources of my future Thank you very much and more
likewise completed.(BCNatividad) herds. I am also interested in power to you!”
planting citrus.” — Eugene A. Billones, Naga City,
— James Wong, Jeddah, Saudi November 2008
Arabia, September 2008
“I am actually planning on going

5. May 2009 e-Extension Agenda 5
ATI, partner agencies to implement
Aurora e-Village Project
T
he Department of Angara – Castillo. During the
Agriculture’s Agricultural opening program, she welcomed
Training Institute (DA-ATI), the participants in the province of
together with the Development Aurora and expressed her gratitude
Academy of the Philippines (DAP), to the project implementers for
DA-Philippine Rice Research this initiative. According to her, this
Institute (PhilRice), and the project will link Aurora’s farmers
Provincial Government of Aurora and fisherfolks to the outside world
will implement a project for the and available markets for their Aurora’s governor, Hon. Bellaflor Angara–
Aurora Province entitled “Providing products. She claimed that she is Castillo gives her message to the participants
Greater Access to Rural Families excited with this project as she of the planning workshop.
of Aurora Province: Connecting herself is technology illiterate and
Villages Amidst Mountains thru would glad to learn together with developed.
Information and Communications her constituents. The ATI is designated as the
Technology” or the “Aurora e-Village During the workshop, the lead implementing agency for
Project.” participants revisited the program the project. The project aims to
To jumpstart its implementation, design including the anticipated integrate ICT as part of a rural
a planning workshop was held results and impact of the program. community’s life to improve
in Baler, Aurora last March 12 to Results based indicators were access to information, enhance
13, 2009 participated in by the also identified as basis for productivity, increase family income
respective project teams of DAP, monitoring and evaluation as well and improve quality of life in the
PhilRice, ATI and the Provincial as establishment of baseline data. community.(AMNMedrano)
Government of Aurora. Lastly, a project operational work
The activity was graced by and financial plan for 2009 was
Aurora’s governor, Hon. Bellaflor
From page 7
Techno Guide on year of working earnestly...
Corn Production
Out Now!!! government workers such as myself
but everyone involved in research,
Includes the following
development, and extension) quite
brochures:
• Corn Cultural Management simply demands that we keep up
• Corn Industry Profile with the times to be relevant in
• Management Guide for the our work. “This is not the best
Various Growth Stages of way, it is the only way” (I believe
Corn it as had been said by someone,
• Pest and Disease of Corn somewhere). After a year of
• Cost and Return of successes and lessons learned, this
Investment in Corn
remains to be a dictum we must
Production
• Harvest and Postharvest work by.
Operations for Corn

6. 6 e-Extension Agenda May 2009
Palawan demystified on
e-Learning for A & F
T
he e-Extension Program participants and explained that with
Princesa, Palawan. This seminar
for Agriculture and the advent of electronic age, faster
is made possible through the
Fisheries has reached the transfer of information through
initiatives of Agricultural Training
shores of Palawan. the use of new technologies is
Institute - Regional Training Center
Since its inception in expected. He also mentioned that
-IV B (ATI-RTC-IVB).
2007, the 15th Seminar on the information that the participants
A total of 59 participants from
Demystifying e-Learning on received from the seminar are all
the agencies of Department of
Agriculture and Fisheries new and would really be of useful
Agriculture in Region IV-B (DA)
was held on March 16, 2009 to them.
including the Palawan Agricultural
in Bureau of Fisheries and The seminar aims to introduce
Experiment Station (PAES),
Aquatic Resources-Regional and answer all the questions and
BFAR-RFTC and the ATI RTC -
Fisheries Training Center myths regarding e-Learning. It also
IVB attended the seminar. More
participants served as a venue for presenting
also came from the updates and the upcoming
the provincial projects related to the e-Extension
government. Program of ATI. Currently, in its
In his eLearning component, there are
special more than 800 e-learners enrolled
message, in 11 online courses.(BCNatividad)
ATI Asst. Dir.
Alberto B.
Maningding
noted the The only commodity on earth
The participants of the Seminar on Demystifying e-Learning on A&F diversity of the that does not deteriorate with
(BFAR-RFTC) in Puerto
with ATI assistant director Alberto Maningding use is knowledge - Marilyn vos
Savant
New eLOs from Palawan
A
nd the list goes on. Three
new e-Learning Offices (ELO) administration was held with
from Palawan were added to the identified ELO coordinators
the list of ELO already functioning as participants. Ms. Pamela
and extending services to farmers, Mappala, the assistant division
agricultural extension workers and chief of Knowledge Products
the budding entrepreneurs. Management Division (KPMD)
Two ELO was established briefed the participants; she
in Puerto Princesa City namely gave an overview of the different
Palawan Agricultural Experiment functions of the ELO, while
Station (PAES) and from the Bureau Mr. Rey Alo, the e-Learning Ms. Mappala briefed the selected ELO coordinators
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Process Adviser, discussed the about the functions of ELO
- Regional Fisheries Training Center responsibilities and necessary
competencies of the ELO The ELO coordinator are
IV-B. The third was set up in the
coordinators. Mr. Alo also discussed expected to help promote the
satellite center of PAES in Aboabo,
Sofronio Espanola. the e-extension program specifically program in their respective areas
the e-learning project of the ATI. and coordinate the registration of
A one-day seminar for ELO
possible enrollees. (BCNatividad)

7. May 2009 e-Extension Agenda 7
Year of working earnestly
by Primalou Imperial
I
t seems only yesterday, as the Mappala, and Prof. Jose Rey Alo. outages, insurgency problems,
often-quoted expression goes, The idea, of course, snowballed geographic heterogeneity, socio-
but that is how it does feel. from Agriculture Secretary Arthur demographically diverse populace,
In March 2008 ATI Central Yap’s edict (through Department dwindling agriculture and fishery
Office initiated a series of Order No. 3 Series of 2007) and resources, going electronic is a
demystifying e-learning seminars in Director Asterio Saliot’s incisive big challenge. What has been
various ATI training centers across vision for ATI. Thus, ATI-led and said of ICT (or information
the country. In Region 5 (Bicol) the inter-agency constituted, the technology) could very well be
seminar came to be in April 2008. Philippine’s e-extension program said of e-extension. That is, it may
In hindsight, has reached further widen the digital divide that
the activity new heights separates the information-rich and
was not only and still seeks the information-poor. On the other
an eye-opener, to cover a hand, it could very well be the
it was also very, very wide great equalizer of opportunities for
a preview to stretch of fresh both. How best to reach a greater
ATI’s upbeat, ground. ATI’s variety of agricultural extension
future-looking, (and other workers (AEWs) than through the
information and agencies’) omnipresent (well, at least in most
communication compact league populated areas) Internet kiosks
technology of e-learning and user-friendly computers?
(ICT)-based coordinators, …And the small picture? Well,
focus. webmasters, module developers, let’s look at it this way: knowing
Just a few months after the and knowledge crusaders have the power of ICT, having in mind
e-learning launch in Manila in 2007, been working double time to make the great body of knowledge lying
the program even then showed the program responsive to the along the information superhighway
strong conceptual framework, well- needs and interests of its clients. waiting to be tapped and used, and
defined components, and vigorous Let’s look at the big picture. realizing that things will never be
energy, propelled as it was by the In a country troubled by frequent same again, our sense of right and
youthful and high-spirited team electric power shortage and wrong (and I have in mind not just
headed by Ms. Niet Arceo, Ms. Pam
 page5
Embracing Change
by Merrian Piquero Soliva
W
hen ATI-CO had formally the only thing in this world which is As expected, most of them
demystified ATI-RTC 7 constant. showed cynicism. However, as the
sometime in April 2008, The duality of the so-called discussion progress, majority of
a lot of concerns cropped-up to reactions was expected. Specially the AEWs are craving to learn and
the minds of those who were that the very things they’ve heard willing to embrace the change.
present (both my co-personnel were new. Though computer Today, when we mentioned
and a handful of Agricultural literacy is no longer unfamiliar matters with an e! (e-extension and
Extension Workers (AEWs) in among government employees, but e-Learning) it rings a bell. AEWs
Bohol). Concerns like the viability the accessibility is way far to go. are looking forward to it. Their
and applicability of the e-extension Albeit the lukewarm welcome, doubts pushed them to embrace
program to our stakeholders. ATI-RTC 7 push through their the change so they can compensate
Some were skeptics but endeavors. They allot time for what their children’s generation had
others showed enthusiasm amidst e-extension unto their program for.
uncertainty, as change is indeed of activities and focus only on
the e-Learning component of the
program.

8. 8 e-Extension Agenda May 2009
Text Support Surges High
Q
ueries among clients coming cellular phones. A voice-activated Other text queries include Corn,
from all over the country service will be featured soon as ATI Livestock, Fisheries, 16 text queries
continue to flood the help continues to pitch perfect its SMS and general programs of ATI.
desk of the Agricultural Training approach. ATI’s TextSupport can be
Institute (ATI). All in reached through its hotline text
For the months of all, text on number 391-32 (DA) and is initially
February, March and e-Learning open to Smart and Talk ‘n Text
April, a total of 479 garnered the subscribers. The said service is
queries have been most number available from Monday to Saturday
answered through of queries — 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
Short Message with 302 text This is also in response to
Service (SMS) via messages the needs of people from all
ATI’s TextSupport while Rice walks of life specially retirees or
for Agriculture and came along individuals who want to venture in
Fisheries. second with agribusiness and invest their money
Launched late 57 queries on on agriculture. (Vic Thor A. Palarca
January this year, its prevailing with data reports furnished by Benedict
The TextSupport price, pest Natividad.)
Center served as a & disease
quick helpdesk for management,
Agricultural Extension Workers land preparation, varieties and
(AEWs), farmer-clients and new technologies. HVCC got 42
budding entrepreneurs to get text queries while matters on ATI
immediate information by using scholarships with a respectable 25.
www.e-extension.gov.ph