NTA Vigan had a blessing of the newly constructed Tobacco Farmers’ Training Center in Bannuar, San Juan, Ilocos Sur on December 14.
The blessing, led by Rev. Fr. George Tabangcura, was attended by Acting Deputy Administrator for Operations Engr. Cesario G. Sambrana, NTA Vigan Manager Minerva P. Mizal, San Juan LGU Officials headed by Mayor Ma. Elaine A. Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Benjamin V. Sarmiento, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, tobacco farmer-leaders headed by the NAFTAC National President Bernard Vicente and National Secretary Arlyn Vega.
Manager Mizal expressed her profound gratitude to the LGU of San Juan, Ilocos Sur, for providing the space for the construction of the two-story training center, and for their unwavering support to the tobacco farmers and to the programs and projects of NTA.
The training center will be used by tobacco farmers for various tobacco production seminars and livelihood trainings and will also serve as a venue for the launching programs and events of the Vigan Branch Office and the continuing capability enhancement programs of its personnel. Its location is strategically situated at the center of the First District of Ilocos Sur, guaranteeing easy accessibility to all tobacco farmers within the district.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the training center was conducted January 2020, but construction was suspended during the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
[Text/Photo credit: Tom Taloza / NTA Vigan]