Secretary-General Ernesto “Boy” Herrera of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Secretary Marianito D. Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz, proprietor of the ELR Family Trading Co., Inc. for the establishment of Organic Fertilizer Factories at Murcia, Negros Occidental and Cebu City, Philippines. The MOA signing was held in a simple, but fitting ceremony held at Bagong Sikat, Science City of Muñoz, last April 1, 2009.

TUCP Secretary-General Ernesto “Boy” Herrera and DOLE Secretary Roque both remarked in their respective messages that the establishment of organic fertilizer factories initiated by Dr. Ruiz will help solve the twin problems of unemployment and rice production. They said that while the technology is labor intensive, it can create jobs in the community and the organic product on the other hand, can be efficient substitute for the costly fertilizers in the production of rice and other agricultural crops.

Present during the signing ceremony were; Dr. Nestor L. Alvarez, Mayor, Science City of Muñoz; Mr. Presciliano Evangelista, PIA General Manager; CLSU Vice President Dr. Raul D. Divina; PhilsCAT Director, Dr. Romeo Gavino; CLSUAAI President, Dr. Romeo S. Cabanilla, Dr. Onofre F. Ringor; Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino;Dr. Firma C. Viray: ARO Director Carlos C. Abon. Jr; Engr. Alexander Coloma, CASECNAN Project Manager; and Engr. Teofilo Vergara, VP AGROMAN Biosystem Co.

Also present were city councilors from Science City of Muñoz and farmer leaders from Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan and Pangasinan.