We Move Mountains | Bringing the Upland School Community to ATI-ITCPH

“Akala nila kapag agriculture ay magtatanim lamang… Ang layunin natin ay ma-encourage ang mga bata to engage themselves to agriculture”.
This is a success story about engaging the youths/students and the school community in various aspects of pig farming. Mr. Richard Joyosa is the Teacher-in-Charge for the Kabulusan Integrated National High School- Saray Extension (KINHS). For this Academic Year, 2024-2025, the school serves 40 learners from Grades 7 to 12. It is located in the upland community of Sitio Maliliit-na-Bato, Brgy. Saray, Pakil, Laguna.
“Nakita ko po ang ITCPH sa Facebook. As government employee, ang pinaghahandaan natin ay ang retirement, at ang pagbababuyan ang aking nasa isip. Pangalawa, habang ako ay nasa serbisyo ay [nais kong] maibigay ko ang mga kaalaman sa pagbababuyan sa mga studyante na may interest sa Agriculture.”
Incorrect waste management and community issues are the main reasons why Mr. Joyosa engaged in pig farming. His parents-in-law had limited knowledge of pig waste management, which raised concerns from the community and caused them to cease operations.
“Na-challenge ako dahil ang kanilang pamamaraan ay traditional. Kung makaattend ako ng training, maa-acquire ko ang modern technology in handling and management ng pagbababuyan.”
Mr. Joyosa completed eight training courses at the Center. These include the Basic Course on Pig Husbandry, the National Trainers Course on Swine Artificial Insemination, the National Trainers Course on Basic Meat Processing, Meat Processing: Utilizing Local and Natural Methods of Preservation, Training on Feed Formulation, and the ITCPH Refresher Course.
“When I attended NTCPH, nakita ko ung kagalingan ng AI.”
Five of his students joined the Center’s farm immersion program. This is an ITCPH program for Senior High School students that offers the opportunity to get exposed to farm routines, practices, and procedures.
“Nakapasok po kami sa farm, nakita namin ang tamang proseso ng artificial insemination”
- Ruby Rebillion, a KINHS student.
“Itinuro po sa amin kung paano ang pagsusumpit”
, added Cyrel Consulta, a KINHS student.
He also introduced ITCPH to the people in the Saray community. Parents learned about the Center’s thrusts & services and inspired them to attend training, such as swine artificial insemination, animal waste management, organic agriculture programs, and internship programs.
“Isa sa mga napa-attend ko, si Aldwin J. Dayo, iyon ngayon ang ginagawa nya. May babuyan na saya at malaki na ang potential ng kanyang AI. Dati, lolo nya ang kilala dito, sya na ang technician dito. Mas lumakas ang loob nya because of the training na inattenan sa ITCPH.”
Because of its geographic location, Mr. Joyosa envisions establishing a Rural Farm School under the Department of Education. Through this, the KINHS-Saray Campus shall offer a parallel learning system and an alternative delivery mode of secondary education. It provides for facilitative and experiential learning on the core subjects of secondary education curriculum with a focus on agriculture, designed to address the needs of children in rural and agricultural communities.
“Akala nila kapag agriculture ay magtatanim lamang. Kung tayo ay magkakaroon ng tamang pamamaraan, facilities, at equipment, makikita nila na maganda pala talaga ang agriculture.
This will encourage students to acquire basic knowledge of pig farming. This includes farm management, biosecurity practices, and proper handling of pigs. Such advocacy will never be realized without the assistance of ATI-ITCPH.
“Pwede bang sabihin ko na lang na ang ITCPH ay Center of Excellence? Masasabi mo kasi talaga na kumpleto na ang quality ng training at masasabi mong hindi hilaw ang iyong kaalaman, nandoon ang totoong training. Because of the training, lumalakas ang loob natin.”
Mr. Joyosa is forever grateful to the Center and is committed to continuously educating people in his community about the vision and values of ATI-ITCPH, the only specialized training center on pigs in Asia and the Pacific, known for its practical training that enhances not only knowledge, more so, the skills on improved swine management.
#ITCPHway #LearningByDoing









