To introduce and promote the different extension projects of Pangasinan State University, discuss the various concerns of community stakeholders, and draw input and feedback from salt farmers, a Barangay Forum was held in Barangay Tondol, Anda, Pangasinan on March 3, 2021. The event was attended by small-scale salt farmers of Tondol, land owners of the salt farms, barangay officials, and representatives from the Anda local government unit. There are 16 community members from Anda Pangasina who participated in the event.
PSU personnel in attendance to this event are the Vice President for Research Extension and Innovation, Dr. Paulo V. Cenas, the Director for Extension Services Prof. Francis Albert T. Argente, Head of the Center for Statistics and Computing Sciences Mr. Bobby F. Roaring, Dean of the College of Computing Dr. Frederick F. Patacsil, Research Coordinator Ms. Christine Lourrine S. Tablatin, Extension Coordinator Mr. Emmerson Ramir R. España, Chair of the IT Department Mr. Michael E. Acosta, Chair of the Architecture Department Ar. Simeon Rico Jr., project leader Ar. Manuel V. Manzano, faculty of the Architecture Department Ar. Mateo Bondoc, and faculty of the Civil Engineering Department Engr. Reyno Ramos.
The program was opened by Barangay Kagawad Rowel Caalim representing Barangay Captain Oscar Flores. He welcomed all participants to the event and thanked PSU for organizing the forum. He emphasized the importance of the barangay forum and encouraged all participants to share information that could help PSU in serving the community.
This was followed by a message from Hon. Joganie C. Rarang, Mayor of the Municipality of Anda. In his message, he expressed his support to the programs of PSU to the Municipality of Anda and informed the participants of the partnerships between the local government and the University. He also expressed his gratitude that Anda was chosen as one of the municipalities to be a recipient of the University’s extension programs. He ended his message with encouragement of participation of everybody and assurance of his support to the University’s endeavors for the citizens of Anda.
This was immediately followed by a presentation by the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, Dr. Paulo V. Cenas. His objective is to introduce Pangasinan State University to the citizens of Anda. In his presentation, he showed the mission, vision, functions, and core values of the University. He also presented the organizational structure of the University, and showed the different campuses and their flagship programs.
After introducing the University, Prof. Francis Albert T. Argente, Director of Extension Services Unit, presented the Extension Services Unit to the participants. He discussed the aims and objectives of the Extension Services Unit, its importance as a core function of the University, and the different services it can offer to the citizens of Anda. Among these are mushroom, moringa, nipa, consultancy services, and other livelihood programs. Prog. Argente also informed the participants on how they could request for the said services.
The program proceeded with the presentation of the extension project meant for the small-scale farmers of Barangay Tondol. The project proponents, headed by Ar. Manuel V. Manzano, Jr., presented the different findings of the team from the previous visits, as well as the proposed solutions for these issues that can be provided by the Architecture Department. He proposed four designs for the structures that could be used by the salt-farmers to lower the cost of production. He discussed the features of these designs and the advantages of adopting the said designs.
The presentation was immediately followed by an open forum where the stakeholders can voice their concerns and ask questions regarding the project. Notable of these concerns are the market, packaging, and capital. However, it was emphasized by the barangay officials headed by Barangay Captain Oscar Flores that the focus of the farmers should be the design of their structures to promote lower production costs. He also encouraged the farmers to support the extension programs of the University.
After the open forum, Mr. Bobby Roaring discussed the importance of information that could be gathered from the salt farmers. He presented his questionnaire for geolocation of salt farmers of Pangasinan, and gave instructions on how this can be accomplished.
The program was ended by Mr. Nelson Camaso of the Municipal Agricultural Office, representing Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Elizabeth Tomas. He expressed his gratitude to all participants and assured the continuance of the partnership between Anda and PSU.