ATI Region 2

When the Department of Agriculture (DA) was reorganized in January 1987 under the Executive Order No. 116, the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx), the Philippine Agricultural Training Council (PATC) and the Philippine Training Centers for Rural Development (PTC-RD) merged, and paved the way for the establishment of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The ATI started with ten training c

enters from the former PTC-RD when it became operational in 1987. A year after, the number of training centers nationwide rose to 26 when nine Regional Training Centers (RTC) and seven Farmers’ Training Centers (FTC) were set up. In 1989, there was a total of 41 training centers nationwide after seven FTCs, seven Regional Fishermen’s Training Centers (RFTC) and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) were installed. ATI’s role as the DA’s extension and training arm was strengthened with the Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997. But in November 1998, the RFTCs were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. At present, ATI, being the extension and training arm of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, is geographically situated nationwide to be able to reach its target clientele in the agriculture and fisheries sector. It has 16 regional training centers and one international training center, with its Central Office located at Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Mandates

Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) mandates ATI to:

1. To lead in the formulation of the national Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) agenda and budget;
2. To prepare an integrated plan for publicly funded training programs in agriculture and fisheries;
3. To advise the Department of Agriculture in managing financial and logistical support for AFE;
4. To formulate and issue guidelines in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating AFE programs; and
5. To assist the local government units extension system by improving their effectiveness and efficiency through capability building and complementary extension activities such as technical assistance, training of personnel, improvement of physical facilities, extension cm research and information support services in coordination with state universities and colleges.