Legazpi, The Philippines, 30 May 2021 -- During the Laudato Si' Week 2021 Fr Ronilo Javines, SDB - former Rector of Don Bosco agricultural TVET Legazpi (Philippines, Bicol region), introduced the wonderful experience of the Bosconian Young Farmers Club, launched in 2017, to the EAO Eco Team. We believe that this may inspire many other Salesian Youth or Bosconians who are living in rural areas of the EAO region (Thailand, Philippines, Maynmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Mongolia or Vietnam).

In the Philippines, the average age of farmers is 57, so young people equipped with a solid agricultural preparation may make a difference. Both Filipino provinces (FIS and FIN) made a preferential option in 2001 to accompany youth in rural areas. And Don Bosco Legazpi in Bicol, one of the poorest regions of the Philippines, is one of them.

Since 2001 a few hundred young people have received good preparation in the TVET in natural farming, so they have the capability to become key players in rural development. The BYFC (Bosco Youth Farm Club) is based on the following program services: Youth-Cooperative (for Agri-Enterpreneurial Initiatives), Family Based Natural Farming Advocacy, Don Bosco Ecological Footprint Program (Laudato Si front-liner) and Youth Farm Tourism (Partnership project with Colle Don Bosco Youth-Farm).

After an initial stage between 2017-2019, the pandemic situation ushered in this starting initiative for the volunteers (informal training on farm mechanization and enterprenual skills) to formalize the BYFC as organization. On July 5, 2020, Mr Jerald Lorilla and Mr. Gilbert Banga gave to 10 farm-volunteer Bosconians at the Colle Don Bosco (Legazpi) Youth Farm an overview orientation on the possible role of the BYFC and the youth farm. Then Mr Alwin Ingua, BYFC animator, discussed with them the possible draft of the BYFC Bylaws and the whole launching day was concluded with the Mass celebrated by their Rector and Training Director, Fr. Ronilo Javines (Javey). There were 3 Bosconians among those present who signed their intention to be part of the group: Philip Robosa, Lorlie Montejo and Alwin Ingua. Other 3 absent Bosconians and Instructors (Daryl Cadag, Alfy Lorenzana and Exequiel Gabriola) also confirmed their commitment. Then the BYFC Facebook page was created on July 16, 2020. Finally in February 2021 was hel an informal face-to-face meeting with a new member of the group, Ms Rheena May Lim (bank manager and agribusiness graduate) and discussed the possibility to submit start-up farm project for financial assistance and to review their Bylaws for modifications.

You can follow the daily development of the BYFC on their Facebook pages, today with 10 members and 5 honorary members, animated by Fr. Javey. We pray that this small but very meaningful seed will bring many fruits and inspire other Salesians SDB and their Bosconians to follow this wonderful path!