The Bond...

 “I extremely dislike going to a new function and sense distressful, meeting to unfamiliar persons.”  I always feel these whenever I start a new affair but I never felt this at National Tobacco Administration (NTA) – Farm Technology & Services Department (FTSD).

The people at the FTSD are very courteous. They always greet you “Good morning sir or good afternoon sir.” They are very accommodating and helpful with our concerns. They provide us all the information and knowledge we need for our immersion. Seldom have I seen a government agency like this. The department is headed by Ms. Imelda N. Riṅen also known by everyone as Ma’am Cleng.

Our first week at the FTSD, we were able to meet all the staff in the department. Some of them even from other places like Isabela. We got acquainted how NTA work with farmers (tobacco growers), private tobacco buyers and how the department manage all the data coming from the different farmers from Region 1 & 2 and from other branches of NTA from other regions in the Philippines. It's so amazing how the agency collaborates and support the farmers. They provided assistance and closely monitor from land preparation to selling until the farmers get the reparation of their labor. 

During our field day, we came to a tree of Acacia and Gmelina. It's so fascinating how these two gigantic trees support and hold each other. The trees are like the NTA and the farmers holding and supporting each other. That’s the reason why until now NTA and the farmers standing tall, strong and committed to each other. There’s a strong bond of commitment that holds each other.

We went to Pallas Valley, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, and Nagpatayen, Banna, Ilocos Norte to meet personally some farmers. We were able to interview Mr. Reynaldo Baliclic and Mr. Florentino Pitpit on the different activities in planting Tobacco. All the data are kept and later, given to the Technician assigned to them filled up in a form. The technician will give the form to the coordinator in charged in the area for analysis after which to be submitted to the office of NTA. Here are some photos were taken during our exciting and enlightening field day headed by the supportive head of FTSD Ma'am Cleng with Ma’am Luz and Ma’am Myrna (it was her birthday but she still managed to join the group. Happy birthday ma’am!) .

 The Group During the Field Day

Under the Kubo Kubo

Interview with One of the Farmer

Conventional Furnace (Pugon in Iloco)

What more? We learned the different types of tobacco. The Virginia and Burley. Each having a Neutral and Improved classification. Not only that. Ma'am Luz and Ma’am Myrna explained to us how to classify the leaves of a tobacco after curing. These are just a few of the things we learned in  our first week at NTA. I am grateful and thankful for accepting us at NTA. Indeed, William H. McRaven was true when he said. “You can't change the world alone - you will need some help - and to truly get from your starting point to your destination takes friends, colleagues, the good will of strangers and a strong coxswain to guide them.”