Visayas State University — The Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) served as the venue for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso (OMMRO) held from July 15 to 17, 2025. With the theme “A Decade of Cultivating Sustainable Futures in Eastern Visayas,” the three-day event was held in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)–Eastern Visayas and other regional agencies.
The celebration opened with a motorcade and product exhibit showcasing the organic produce and value-added goods of OMMRO farmer-members. This was followed by a Level 2 Training of Trainers on Ube Production and Processing, featuring sessions on “Ube Processing 101” and the drafting of the Ube Post-Harvest Manual. These sessions were led by Mr. Miguel Pelaez Mejia of the Filipino Ube House. Mr. Roger Buscay of Fatima Multi-Purpose Cooperative also conducted a practical training on Kobo Toolbox data collection.
On the second day, the highlight was the Pasidungog held at the RDE Hall, which recognized OMMRO’s valuable contributions to organic agriculture in the region. The event was graced by key officials from partner agencies, including DA Regional Executive Director Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, DENR Regional Director Arturo N. Salazar, BFAR Regional Director Dominador G. Maputol, and TESDA Regional Director Dan M. Navarro, represented by Mr. Mark Butad of the TESDA Provincial Office. Also present were VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes and PhilRootcrops Director Marlon M. Tambis.
Other notable attendees included Fatima MPC General Manager Maria Teresa A. Geniston, former VSU President and Professor Emeritus Dr. Paciencia P. Milan, NOAP Director Bernadette F. San Juan (represented by Mr. Marco Locqiao), and ATI Director Remelyn Recoter.
The Pasidungog also honored exemplary OMMRO members and included the formal oath-taking of the organization’s new board and officers. Agricultural inputs were awarded to the Youth Initiative of Practicing Organic Agriculture (YIPOA), and the recognition of 15 newly registered members of Kabataang Organikong Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Rehiyon Otso.
The event concluded with a Lakbay-Alay to OMMRO’s key institutional partners: VSU Biodiversity Center, ATI-Eastern Visayas, and PhilRootcrops, followed by a strategic planning workshop focused on ube production.
OMMRO currently has 52 registered members, many of whom hold leadership roles in their respective farming and fishing associations. The organization continues to provide KITS or knowledge, input, trading and sharing activities under its Lakbay-Alay banner initiative, promoting organic farming and sustainability across Eastern Visayas.
This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 2 – Zero Hunger, 4 – Quality Education, 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 – Climate Action, 15 – Life on Land, 17 – Partnerships for the Goals