JAGNA-The local government unit here launched the Farmers' Information and Technology Service Center (FITS) or the “ Techno Pinoy Center ” on October 3. Located at the local DA office in barangay Pagina, the Techno Pinoy Center serves as a one-stop service facility for farmers, entrepreneurs and even agricultural extension workers, students and other stakeholders. FITS offers information services including technology information in prints, videotapes, exhibits and other formats, production of IEC materials, access to the internet and other information materials. Conceptualized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research Development (PCARRD), a sectoral council under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the said activity coincided with the simultaneous launching of the same project in 19 other municipalities in the province of Bohol.

Mayor Exuperio Lloren symbolically unveiled the FITS Center Billboard mounted at the municipal grounds. A short program immediately followed at the Capt. Goyo Caseñas Hall attended by the 30 barangay captains in this town and LGU department heads. PCARRD representative Audrey Lapitan presented the background and importance of FITS to agricultural productivity and sustainability in the countryside. She said “PCARRD is a sectoral council under the DOST established in 1972. It formulates policies, plans and programs for science and technology development, evaluates and monitors the natural agricultural and forestry research and development programs”.

“Your FITS Center is the 249th in the entire country, the 28th in the entire Central Visayas region and the 17th in the province of Bohol ,” she added. Representing Governor Erico Aumentado, Dr. Jose Quitazol extended his commendation to Mayor Lloren and to the local DA office headed by Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO) Camilo Rizano for adopting and implementing the program. Rizano, in his closing message, said that he expects more farmers to visit their office to have access to reading materials and seek technical assistance from their agricultural technicians (ATs). Capping the afternoon's activity was the Memorandum of Agreement signing and the ribbon cutting of the newly-opened FITS center at the DA office in barangay Pagina.