THE Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (Oisca) Training Center in Barangay Tabunan in Bago City celebrated its 30th anniversary on Sunday, September 9.
The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Lou-Ann Torrefranca followed by a program attended by Oisca members from the different chapters in Negros Island and other guests.
The Oisca Bago Training Center (OBTC) is headed by its Director, Shigemi Watanabe and wife, Thelma Watanabe who is the overall coordinator.
OBTC is a 26-hectare farmland that plays a major role in the country's silk industry, it is known for its silk reeling plant and sericulture facility.
Silkworm rearing, also known as sericulture or silk farming, is the process of cultivating silkworms to produce raw silk; most quality silk yarns are produced from the facility and the training center is supporting the livelihood of many local farmers.
The training center is funded by Oisca International, a Japan-based non-government organization.
According to Thelma Watanabe, they are supplying 83 percent of silk in the country, with data coming from by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
Vice Mayor Ramon Torres of Bago City lauded Oisca for its 30 fruitful and successful years that contributed a lot to the development of the local community.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., immediate past president of Oisca-Philippines chapter, recalled that OBTC is very different 30 years ago.
He said that what it is now is a typical example of labor of love – love of God, love of country, and love of the environment.
"The advocacy of Oisca which is, 'Food First, Love Green,' has never been relevant than it is today," he added.
Marañon also said that he foresees that more people and more communities will benefit from the training center in the next 30 years.
He thanked the Watanabe couple for their sacrifices and determination in managing the OBTC.
Oisca's main activities include community and human resource development through capacity building, agriculture and environmental conservation and restoration. (PR)