Benguet, Kochi Prefecture mark two-decade friendship  

February 9, 2017

LA TRINIDAD– Kochi Prefecture and Benguet province are celebrating 20 years of friendship.

Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso has invited Kochi Prefecture officials to renew their ties.

Pacalso signed a Memorandum of Agreement between the province and the Kuroshio Agricultural Development Cooperative (KADC) for the training project.

The farmers will undergo a one-month Japanese language course and proceed with technical internship of three years in a vegetable, fruit or flower farm from March 1, 2017 to January 28, 2020.

Benguet sent more than 30 farmers to Japan in exchange for those more than 20 farmers who arrived home late January after their three-year contract ended.

“Be the ambassadors of goodwill. Always put in mind that you are the key for the future engagement of those future batches. This is also not only for you and your family but also for the province,” Pacalso told the exchange program farmers.

“Show your sincerity and humbleness. Ask directly your queries and do not forget to pray as you accept these blessings. Be hard working because that’s the reason you got it in for this work,” he added. Pacalso also stressed that they have to learn Nihongo.

Benguet farmers who were in the exchange program have learned to properly manage their finances and save their wages properly.

The technical internship will be renewed yearly depending on the performance and capability of the intern and acceptance of the host farmer

Every trainee deposits a bond to the province through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) in case of a breach of contract. DMS