FITS Center in Dinagat inaugurated with blessing and turnover ceremony

Barangay New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands—A turnover ceremony and blessing for the newly completed Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Brgy. New Mabuhay, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands transpired on July 3, 2026.

The event was attended by Mayor Simplicio S. Leyran Jr., Vice Mayor Jonathan M. Edillor, Sangguniang Bayan members (including Committee on Agriculture member Constantino E. Eviota), Municipal Agriculturist Robelyn P. Parreñas and staff, and Information Services Section (ISS) Chief Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac, representing ATI Caraga OIC-Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario.

Mr. Jampac presented an overview of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP), highlighting its role in bringing science-based information and modern farming technologies to farmers and other rural stakeholders. The FITS Center is a core component of TGP, serving as a one-stop local hub where farmers can access agri-fishery information, technologies, and related support services

“Kini nga programa mag-giya nato sa mga teknolohiya sa pag-uma, mao nang gitawag siya ug Techno Gabay Program. Nakita sa usa ka study nga usa sa mga rason ngano atong mga farmers karon medyo behind sila compared sa uban nga mga nasod, kulang ang kalamboan sa atong mga farmers, usa niana is tungod ang teknolohiya ug impormasyon layo sa mga farmers. Para mapa-abot ang maong kahibalo sa mga farmers, diha musompay si Techno Gabay Program para ma-access sa mga farmers ang kahibalo ug teknolohiya. Mao na ang rason ngano naa tay Techno Gabay Program ug FITS Center” (This program guides us in agricultural technologies, which is why it is called the Techno Gabay Program. A study found that one of the reasons our farmers are somewhat behind compared to those in other countries is the limited development and access they have. One major reason is that technology and information are still far from the reach of many farmers. To bring this knowledge to them, the Techno Gabay Program was established so that farmers can access information and agricultural technologies. That is why we have the Techno Gabay Program and the FITS Center), Jampac said in Cebuano.

Under TGP, the FITS Center works best with a Magsasakang Siyentista (MS), Information, Education, and Communication (IEC), and its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components. The center serves as the local delivery point while the other components generate, explain, and disseminate information more effectively. Through these linkages, TGP aims to boost farm productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and strengthen local extension services by connecting knowledge generators with community-level technology users.
“On behalf of LGU-Dinagat, I would like to turn over this key of responsibility to our chief of the Municipal Agriculture Office ug manghinaot kita nga maampingan ug maalagaan ang atong building para ang mga sunod nga mga henerasyon makinabang gihapon.

Mapasalamaton kita nga naa nay mag-gabay sa atong mga farmers. Isa sa among executive agenda ang poverty alleviation, ug kung walay gabay ang mga farmers, hinay ang production ug kinahanglan kita mugamit ug mga sakto nga mga teknolohiya. Gihimo kini nga center para makinabang ang atong mga katawhan nga umaasa sa pananim, sa pagsasaka, sa pangingisda.”, Mayor Simplicio S. Leyran Jr. said as he handed the key of responsibility to Municipal Agriculturist Robelyn P. Parreñas during the ceremonial turnover.