MEOPA Celebrates Its 21st Founding Anniversary

On October 29, MEOPA celebrated its 21st founding anniversary. The event was held in the essential oil plant in Brgy. Mambugsay, Cauayan and attended by previous and current members, AIDFI management, and invited government officials, Hon. Alquen Silpao the village council captain, Rowel Eleccion and Sheryl Perez from the Municipal Agriculture, and Sheryl Grace Besas and Jennifer Alipo-on from the Department of Agrarian Reform. The program started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Harold Villaroel at 10:00 am followed by the blessing of the essential oil plant. The association prepared lunch for the guests and were then welcomed by MEOPA chairperson Julieta Belonio. AIDFI CEO, Auke Idzenga shared on the history of the MEOPA amd how it aims to expand to more farmers especially the younger generation.

The village council captain Hon. Alquen Silpao shared in his message that it welcomes very much the membership of MEOPA in the village development council and looks forward to provide any assistance it can and encourages active participation in the development of the Mambugsay. Then the Municipal Agriculture through Rowel Eleccion, encouraged all members to sign up with the DA's program Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to avail of assistance from the government's various agrculture programs, and the distributed vegetable seeds for them to plant. Urbano Bayawa and Restituto Recosalem shared their testimony as members of the association and how the project has helped them uplift their lives.

The afternoon was then enjoyed with fun and games with former and current members of the assocaition. The program was closed with a message from the COO Che Idzenga, who extended the commitment of AIDFI and encourage taking the association to the next level.

AIDFI and MEOPA are grateful to its donors and supporters who have continually believe and support the project. We look forward to more fruitful years of partnership and hope to see more young farmers join the project.