In Focus: Centralian Agriculturist among the new breed of Agricultural Development Officers of Iloilo

The Weekly Centralian Link continues to feature many Centralian achievers, winners, movers, industrialists and entrepreneurs who are successful in their own careers both in public and private enterprises, institutions and industries. These alumni attributed their success to Central Philippine University.

One of those achievers is Elias V. Sandig, Jr. from Bitadton Sur, Culasi, Antique. He is Assistant Provincial Agriculturist, Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, and former Agricultural Development Officer since 2011 at ANIAD Foundation Program Management Office. Elias V. Sandig, Jr. is a CPU Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Agronomy in 1978 and his Master of Science in Extension Education, University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna in 1989. He served CPU as instructor and farm research coordinator for the College of Agriculture in 1978-1980.

Other notable posts he has occupied include: CFMT-Agricultural Extension Coordinator, Philippine Cotton Corporation in 1980-1981; Agricultural Extension Specialist I at the Rainfed Agriculture Development (Iloilo) Project, Ministry of Agriculture and Food in 1981-1984; Graduate/Research Assistant, International Programme Management Office International Rice Research Institute in 1987-1991; Agricultural Development Officer, Antique Integrated Area Development Foundation, Inc. in 1991-1995;  Supervising Agriculturist Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office in 1996-2011.

Sandig cultivated faith and dedication since his student days at the CPU College of Agriculture. He believes that there is money in agriculture if one is patient and industrious. His overarching desire to share the “bounty” of technical knowledge and operations he learned from CPU is what has made him a “cut above the rest.” He is admired by everyone in his department. The trust of his employer and co-workers is something he attributes to his training and education from Central Philippine University.

Mr. Sandig is married to Teresita Demafiles Baliguat of Bitadton sur, Culasi, Antique and they have seven children.

We appreciate Mr. Sandig as a Centralian for his outstanding performance in his field; we thank him for his help and support to the Agrifair 2017 program of CPU through their involvement at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.