By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Education-Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) turned over checks worth PHP1 million each to 46 farm schools across the region at the opening of the first Farm School Fiesta at Ayala Malls here Saturday afternoon.
The two-day event showcases the products and best practices of farm schools, as well as promote farm school education as a driver of agricultural productivity, entrepreneurship, livelihood generation and sustainable community development.
“We are the only one region having 46 farm schools. We are the only one region giving PHP1 million to each of the farm schools. We sincerely thank Secretary Sonny Angara for this. If we want to eradicate poverty and hunger, this is the way. If we want to capitalize inclusivity in education, farm school is the answer,” DepEd-NIR Director Ramir Uytico said as he declared the opening of the Farm School Fiesta.
The financial assistance provided by the DepEd central office may be spent for capacity building, training, monitoring and similar activities.
At the Farm School Fiesta, the farm schools sell fresh farm produce, agri-based food products and baked food items.
In a statement, the DepEd-NIR said the Farm School Fiesta is a chance to build partnerships that sustain the program as farm schools grow stronger with the support of local governments, partners, families and communities.
It also seeks to strengthen partnerships and resource mobilization among stakeholders to support program sustainability and market linkages.
Under Republic Act 10618, or the Rural Farm Schools Act, a rural farm school refers to a parallel learning system and an alternative delivery mode of secondary education.
It provides facilitative and experiential learning on the core subjects of the secondary education curriculum, focusing on agri-fisheries, designed to address the needs of children in rural, agricultural or fishing communities.
The 46 farm schools under the 22 schools division offices of the DepEd-NIR are Alangilan FS, Sum-ag FS, Ramon Torres Malingin FS,
Lonoy National High School, Banaybanay Rural FS, Minaba Rural FS, Kalumboyan Rural FS, Remedios Gargantiel Gaudiel Rural FS, Lunoy Rural FS, Cabalayongan Rural FS, Mabini FS, Alimatoc FS, Masulog FS, Magsaysay Memorial Integrated FS and Floro T. Bongco FS.
Other beneficiary schools are Mambagaton FS, Paloypoy Integrated FS, Tabugon FS, La Granja FS, Cansilayan FS, Esteban Jalandoni FS, Manghanoy FS, Juan Gequillana Farm School, Libas FS, Agboy Integrated FS, Andres Gumban Memorial FS, Laga-an FS, Bulwangan FS and Dr. Ismael M. Reinoso Memorial FS.
Also included are Payao FS, Ponciana Olac Olasa FS, Eva J. Montilla FS, Talacdan FS, Bago FS, Tara FS, Amio FS, Colonia Divina Integrated FS and Bulanon FS.
The rest are Sagay City FS, Sagay City Eco-Zone FS, Quezon FS, Angeles J. Montinola FS, Maricalum FS, Saguing FS, Apolinario Gerarda Arnaiz FS and Victorias City FS. (PNA)
FARM SCHOOL FIESTA. The Schools Division Office of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental joins the first Farm School Fiesta on Saturday at Ayala Malls in Bacolod City on Saturday (Nov. 7, 2026). Organized by the Department of Education-Negros Island Region, the two-day event showcases the products and best practices of the 46 farm schools in Negros and Siquijor. (Photo courtesy of DepEd Bayawan City Schools Division)
