On July 1, 2026, the Regional Training Center-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC), Davao partnered with the University of Mindanao (UM) to conduct agriculture training for the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples and farmers of Brgy. Catigan, Toril, under UM’s activity themed “Likay Basura, Alaga Yuta.” Two agriculture sessions were delivered by RTC-KPVTC, Davao trainers.
The first session, Introduction to Sustainable Farming by Engr. John Rome L. Balbanida of RTC-KPVTC, Davao, introduced the principles of sustainable agriculture and the advantages of organic over chemical inputs. It emphasized proper solid waste management under Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) and the 5Rs, namely, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot, showing how composting returns organic matter to the soil.
The second session, “Basic Training on Eco-Friendly Compost Making” was delivered by Ms. Mary Grace P. Arellano, TESD Specialist II of RTC-KPVTC, Davao. It covered the balance of “browns” (carbon) and “greens” (nitrogen), the five types of composting, and the layered (“sandwich”) method of open-air composting. It closed with a hands-on activity in which participants built their own compost piles following a task sheet.
• Participants conducted proper seedling preparation and built their own compost piles during the hands-on activity and gained skills they can apply at home and on their farms using free organic waste. The beneficiaries of the training were the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples and farmers of Brgy. Catigan, Toril, Davao City, partner-beneficiaries of the University of Mindanao
