INSPIRED by this year’s theme, “Matatag na Ahensiya at Industriya, Kaagapay ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka,” the National Tobacco Administration celebrated its 35th Founding Anniversary on July 22 two days ahead of its actual anniversary.
The said celebration was hosted by the Batac-based offices, namely, NTA Ilocos Norte Branch Office, Farm Technology and Services Department, and the Product Development Division of the Industrial Research Department.
Sportsfest
This celebration was highlighted by a thanksgiving mass in the morning at the NTA Gallery celebrated by Rev. Fr. Cipriano L. Alnas, Jr., officiating priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church. This was followed by a motorcade of the participants in the Anniversary Sportsfest 2022. Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares, Jr., Acting Deputy Administrator for Operations Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay and members of the Board of Directors joined the motorcade from NTA Building going to MMSU Covered Court.
Four competing teams, represented by their colors, joined volleyball, basketball, table tennis, 400-meter relay, tug-of-war and sack race:
Red Team – Ilocos Norte, FTSD/IRD-Batac, Cagayan; Yellow Team – La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela; Blue Team – Candon, Abra, Vigan, Kadiwa; Green Team – Central Office
The Blue Team copped first places in basketball and volleyball torunaments. Runners-up were Yellow Team and Red Team for basketball and volleyball, respectively. In table tennis doubles, Yellow Team and Green Team won first place and second place respectively.
Program and Fellowship
The anniversary program was held in the evening at the JLP Resort and Hotel in Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The program highlighted the awarding of Certificates of Recognition to employees who had rendered 35 years and above of service to the agency.
Paoay Mayor Shiela A. Galano in her message, cited the partnership of NTA and the partner LGUs in the provision of the needs of our tobacco farmers like soft loans, subsidies and tree seedlings from Synchronized Tree Planting. She thanked the NTA for uplifting the lives of our tobacco farmers.
Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, represented Gov. Matthey Marcos Manotoc and the two Representatives, Sandro Marcos (1st District) and Angelo Marcos Barba (2nd Distict) in the said celebrations. Vice Governor Marcos recognized NTA as home of outstanding public servants catering to the needs of the tobacco farmers and the tobacco industry as a whole
In his speech, Administrator/CEO Seares expressed his heartfelt thanks to the top leaders of Ilocos Norte for their all-out support to all NTA programs and projects.
“I want to continue the Farmers First Policy of my father. I take pride with the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program. I want to make NTA as a promising agency,” he added.
Director Nestor C. Casela also made his piece by mentioning the benefits derived by the LGUs from the tobacco excise taxes.
Highlights of the fellowship night include dance presentations of the Branch Offices and the Central Office and raffle draws.
The dancers of La Union was adjudged winners in the dance presentation, besting nine other groups. Dancers from Ilocos Norte was second best, while the dancers from Cagayan got third place.
