By Kimberly S. Miguel

Around 1,200 Ilokano folks are now enrolled in the first-ever batch of the School-on-the-Air Program spearheaded by the Mariano Marcos State University – Extension Directorate (ED) dubbed as Tarabay iti Pagtaengan, Pagbiagan, Salun-at (TIPPS), ken Dadduma Pay.  

The program currently teaches farmers and fishers, junior and senior high school students, out-of-school youth, budding agri-preneurs and entrepreneurs, young professionals, and other interested community members through its classes broadcast over the radio. 

Students come from Bacarra, Badoc, Banna, Dingras, San Nicolas, Solsona, Sarrat, Burgos, Currimao, Marcos, Nueva Era, Paoay, Piddig, Pasuquin, and Vintar, and the cities of Batac and Laoag. 

To run for five to six months, the broadcast classes are being aired on DWFB 954 Radyo Pilipinas-Laoag at 12nn-1pm on Wednesdays and Fridays; on DWCI 105.1 Radyo Piddig at 5am-6am on Thursdays and Saturdays; and, on DWNI 91.1 Radyo Karruba-Burgos at 11am-12nn every Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ms. Mercy R. Gaño, ED’s applied communication chief, serves as the anchor of the program.

Topics are classified into three aspects: ‘Pagtaengan’ classes include food safety, crop production and ornamental plants propagation, energy tips, food and nutrition, organic pesticide production, safeguarding the environment, transforming kitchen wastes into compost, waste management including diseases associated with improper waste disposal, women and children’s rights, and waste management for electronic devices; ‘Pagbiagan’ classes involve meat processing, fish and sea food processing, fruit processing, business venturing, risks in farming, free-range chicken production, chevon processing; and, ‘Salun-at’ classes entail CoVID-19 updates, perennial ailments and diseases of farmers, first aid, occupational safety, mental health during crisis, health education, and herbal plants as medicine. Some other topics may also be discussed based on the interests of the enrolees.

Radio classes started last February 10, and have already reached its sixth airing last February 26. These were also live streamed via the ED’s official Facebook Page (@MMSUExtensionOfficial), shared by the MMSU official page (@MMSUofficial).

In this learning venture, students are expected to complete the pre-test, post-test and other examinations set in the program and to listen or watch the classes to receive certificate of completion. An Achiever’s Examination will also be administered to boost healthy competition among the performing enrolees.

Enrolment is still open for those who are interested to participate in the program. Applicants may download the enrolment form at the ED’s Facebook Page. Also, SOA staff may be reached through 09619721528. Certificate of participation will be given to those who will not be able to complete all the requirements or tasks.  

The SOA is in collaboration with the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC), the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through the Provincial Agriculture Office, and participating Local Government Units (LGUs). 

Being the most effective medium of communication that reaches even the farthest of communities, radio is maximized by the program to contribute to the transformation of Ilokano communities, particularly in managing their households, livelihood and health. (StratCom)