Taiwan’s representative in the Philippines, Wallace Chow, has offered a full scholarship program for 50 students in Cagayan province.
Chow, representing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO), offered the scholarship when he spoke before a group of student interns, farmers, barangay officials and other guests and visitors on Wednesday at the Cagayan Farm School and Agri-Tourism Center in Barangay Anquiray, Amulung town.
The scholarship grant is under the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIPT) implemented under a partnership of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and TECO through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
Chow said he was “happy to see the students” who have an interest in farming.
He said that through the youth’s trip and study in Taiwan, the student-farmers will learn modern farming technologies that they could use in their home province.
Taiwan offers an 11-month and four-year full-term scholarships. Those interested to apply may do so through the governor’s office.
“This is a trip of learning, a trip of sharing and a trip to agriculture. We have students train with salaries for 11 months there in Taiwan. They learn modern skills for agriculture so that they can have their own or grow their own farm and help their fellow here,” Chow told the audience.
He also told the Cagayanons that Taiwan and the Philippines are so close “with each other” that they should be partners.
“Taiwan and the Philippines are naturally close. They can hear the Taiwanese song in the upper part. See how close we are. So, we should not only be relatives but should be the best partner in the world,” Chow added.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba expressed happiness about the Taiwanese ambassador’s visit to the province and for granting his request for 50 scholarship slots.
“We have a lot of big dreams. I’m so glad you came here and showed your interest in us to promote exchanges. That is why I always say, we don’t have enemies, we only have friends because we believe that we have a community of nations; we could be part of international trade,” he said.
Mamba’s wife, lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, Provincial Agriculturist Pearlita Mabasa, Ambassador Chow and his wife, Madame Tai Yu Shan, Taiwanese trader Irene Wang and Taiwan agriculture expert Yuan-Ching Peng, took time in the fields and harvested sweet potatoes.
The visitors later observed the activities of farmers from the Rural Improvement Club (RIC)-Amulung and student interns from Baggao National Agriculture and Trade School, Felipe Tuzon National High School and Cordova National High School at the Cagayan Farm School. (PNA)
