To promote rural industrialization in the country and self-sufficiency of local farmers, Central Philippines State University President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca presented the Pandayan ng Bayan Project to the Senate of the Philippines on July 4, 2024.
Dr. Moraca presented the Pandayan ng Bayan Project and its outputs to the Public Hearing on the Proposed Amendments to and Extension of the Rice Tariffication Law or RA No. 11203 as a potential model for a nationwide rural industrialization project.
Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform (CAFAR) Chairperson, Senator Cynthia A. Villar presided over the senate hearing alongside Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Imee R. Marcos, and Senator Robinhood C. Padilla at Sen. C. M. Recto Room, Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City.
The CPSU President showcased the Pandayan as a brainchild of RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corpโs Chief-Executive-Officer Ramon Uy Sr., along with Dr. Moraca, and the Camingawan Tagukon Farmersโ Association (CATAFA) represented by Mr. Arnel T. Calago.
With CATAFAโs active utilization of the Pandayanโs implements in creating and repairing farm tools, the project has generated revenue and has saved farming costs for the local farmersโinspiring the expansion of the project to six more farmers associations located in various districts of Negros Occidental, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), RU Foundry, and cooperating agencies.
Receiving approving nods and compliments from the public hearing, President Moraca cascaded his firm belief that the Pandayan has impressed among farmers their right to hands-on creation and repair of agricultural implements for more income-generating opportunities.
The Pandayan ng Bayan is a testament to CPSUโs steadfast commitment to providing Filipinos with education beyond curricular instructionโextending its services to the local communities, empowering generations of Filipinos, and transforming their lives