Reliable information on agri-fishery projects and other news from the Department of Agriculture (DA) will now reach more farming and fishing communities in Batangas through the DWPB-FM 107.3 “D’ Ani-Kita” radio station, at the Batangas State University (BatSU).
Agriculture Secretary William Dar, DA CALABARZON Regional Director Arnel De Mesa, BatSU Ppresident Tirso Ronquillo, and Forefront Broadcasting Company (FFBC) Representative Francis Flores led the inauguration of the enhanced radio station on October 13, 2020.
“Radio stations are becoming more relevant today, because of the pandemic and they are especially useful in the agriculture sector for rural development purposes,” said Secretary Dar.
The agri chief underscored the importance of radio as an effective media platform as many are not yet reached by new technologies.
He explained that through the partnership of DA and BatSU, the community radio station will now reach a wider area, and thus more listeners, with a power of 100 watts, which is ten times more than its previous capacity.
“We are very purposive in terms of having more radio stations all over the country so we can relay much-needed timely and innovative information and technologies to farming and fishing communities,” Secretary Dar added.
He also recognized the important role of state universities and colleges (SUCs) as partners of DA in the establishment of community radio stations nationwide.
Presently, the DA has already set up two new radio stations. The first one, which was also established with the help of FFBC, is located at the Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang. BatSU now manages the second DA-sponsored community radio station.
BatSU President Ronquillo said the DWPB-FM 107.3 “D’ Ani-Kita” radio station will not only help in information dissemination, but also serve as an on-the-job platform for students, particularly those pursuing development communications, agriculture and fishery courses, and other related degree programs.
Further, Ronquillo said the radio station would not only be of great help in enhancing the communication skills of students, but also help promote the initiatives of the university in transforming the Batangas youth into worthy, responsible citizens, contributing their share in nation-building.
The radio station will also air development-oriented programs featuring the various projects and activities offered by DA for farmers, fishers, agripreneurs, and the youth, among others.
The university’s faculty and students of development communications will also offer music, entertainment, and cultural programs, while the FFBC provides radio programming, management directions, and sustainability modes.
During the event, Secretary Dar also approved the university’s proposal for the revitalization of the province’s famous “Kapeng Barako” through the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), and committed to supporting the university’s initiatives in elevating the agriculture sector. (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID and Patrick Raymund Lesaca, DA-StratComms)
