Benguet Farmers doing well in Taebaek City exchange program
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
Reports from the Baguio City Information Office confirm that the 11 farmers who joined the Taebaek City Seasonal Worker Program (SWP)on June 10, 2025 are doing well after a month in the Korean City.
Gabby Keith said that City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) head Dr. Silardo Bested said the 11 local farmers deployed by the city government are “fine and doing good in Korea and are getting positive responses from their employers”.
He said the initiative is part of the sisterhood ties agreement between the cities of Baguio and Taebaek.
Modern information technology which allows the farmers to regularly get in touch with their families back home has greatly helped in assuaging any feelings of homesickness, he disclosed to Keith.
In the SWP, the farmers were carefully selected through a stringent screening and selection process led by the Baguio City’s SWP Working Committee, conducted by key members of the included offices of CVAO, City Administrator’s Office (CADMO), City Mayor’s Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Health Services Office.
Bested said they will stay in Taebaek for five months more immersed in highland vegetable cultivation, gaining hands-on experience in farming crops such as celery, bell pepper, cabbage, and even apple farming, an opportunity to grow their skills in agriculture.
CVAO chief agriculturist Marcelina Tabelin said the City Social Welfare and Development Office will take charge in providing psychosocial interventions and other support programs to their families as they cope with the unique emotional, social, and psychological challenges associated with having a loved one working abroad, according to Keith.
A pre-departure orientation activity was conducted by the CVAO, CADMO and other concerned offices for the 11 agricultural workers, last June 9, at the City Hall multipurpose hall.
Bested was quoted as saying, “This milestone not only strengthens the partnership between our cities but also creates new doors for our farmers to learn, thrive, and bring back valuable knowledge to our local agricultural community. We wish our farmers all the best as they begin this journey of growth, cultural exchange, and opportunity.”
