By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A province long associated with vast agricultural landscapes is now positioning itself as an emerging model of science-driven rural transformation, as Rep. Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” G. Plaza,of the province’s second district, outlined a sweeping development agenda anchored on research, investment confidence, and institutional reform.
Delivering the State of the District Address on June 14, during the third night of the Naliyagan Festival 2026, the lawmaker presented what he described as a deliberate shift away from traditional, intuition-based agriculture toward a data-driven development pathway.
Rather than a routine legislative update, the address was framed as a broader narrative of transformation: one that links science, governance, and agriculture into a single development strategy.
While national politics continues to be marked by division and institutional uncertainty, Plaza said Agusan del Sur has chosen a different trajectory—anchored on local unity and long-term rural development.
“Instead of division, we chose development. Instead of politics, we chose service,” he said, drawing applause from local officials, barangay leaders, and community stakeholders.
At the center of his address was the province’s shift toward scientific agriculture through the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Office (PRDIO) Laboratory, which he described as the province’s emerging agricultural brain center.
Once questioned as a costly investment, the facility now handles soil analysis, crop suitability mapping, climate resilience planning, and technology transfer programs intended to modernize farming decisions across the province.
Plaza said the laboratory represents a fundamental shift in mindset.
“It is where agriculture becomes science,” he said, stressing that decisions on farming are increasingly being guided by data rather than tradition alone.
He also noted that the PRDIO Laboratory is now considered among the most advanced of its kind in the country and potentially in Southeast Asia.
The province’s shift has attracted collaboration from major institutions, including the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, alongside the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
For the first time, these agencies are working with the province under a shared strategic framework rather than isolated project implementation, according to Plaza.
Early initiatives include soil mapping, crop suitability assessments, and climate resilience tools now being introduced to farming communities to improve productivity and reduce risks.
Plaza also cited growing private sector interest as a sign of rising confidence in the province’s direction.
Companies such as DOLE Philippines, Nestlé, and CP Foods have expressed interest or begun exploratory activities, including corn seed trials in selected areas.
“In the end, investment follows confidence. And confidence follows good governance,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture has likewise identified Agusan del Sur as a priority area for major food security initiatives, including a proposed regional food hub, modern grain storage systems, and an agricultural canal and waterways project in Agusan Marsh.
Feasibility studies are underway, with consultations involving engineering experts from Israel and Russia.
Plaza emphasized that education remains central to sustaining development, citing the transformation of Agusan del Sur State University into a full-fledged university.
Starting this academic cycle, it will offer a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Soil Science program, aimed at producing the province’s first locally trained soil scientists.
He also highlighted the successful hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2026, but shifted credit away from officials, saying the achievement belonged to ordinary residents who supported the event behind the scenes.
By the end of his address, Plaza framed Agusan del Sur as an emerging model of integrated rural development anchored on science, education, investment, and community participation.
As he closed, he urged continued unity across sectors.
“Padayon ta. Magtinabangay ta (Let’s move on and help each other),” he said.
In a festival setting known for cultural celebration, this year’s address carried a different tone—one that cast Agusan del Sur not merely as a province in development, but as a testing ground for a quietly emerging rural transformation model.
