By IME SORNITO
“Sa nagahambal nga, ‘mangungoma ka lang,’ wala sila kabalo nga ara sa panguma ang kwarta. Kon wala ang mangungoma, tanan indi makakaon.”
This was emphasized by Police Staff Sergeant Romy Espadon Aligante, a resident of Barangay Pughanan, Lambunao, Iloilo. He was an investigator of the Badiangan police station as well as a proud vegetable farmer.
Who would have thought Aligante’s passion in planting vegetables would give him and his family a comfortable life?
Aligante, 33, who has been a policeman for almost 12 years, is now being praised by Ilonggos and his fellow personnel for his love of farming.
In 2010, Aligante said the salary of a police officer was not that high so he looked for an alternative source of income.
He thought of taking care of his father’s farm.
“Tested ko nga masobra pa sa lima ka pilo ang farming kon i-kumparar sa humay,” said Aligante.
Using his police salary, Aligante grew various vegetables such as tomatoes, papaya, pepper, bitter gourd or ampalaya, okra, string beans, cucumbers, and corn.
In the first year, it was difficult for Aligante because he needed to juggle between being a police officer and a farmer.
But because of his diligence, he was able to adjust until he was blessed with a bountiful harvest. Aligante, whose crops are supplied to malls in Iloilo City, said he could gain P150,000 per month.
His income became the way for him to renovate their house and purchase a car.
“Daku gid ang pagbag-o sa kabuhi namon kay ti kon ano ang gusto ta nga baklon para sa pamilya kag asawa ta mabakal naton, daw medyo ara ‘na sa aspeto sang kabuhi nga financially stable,” Aligante added.
Aligante then decided to expand farming, from one hectare to more than four hectares now planted with vegetables. He also hired workers to oversee his farm.
Where did he learn farming?
Aligante said he came from a less fortunate family.
He was only 10 years old when he started working at a sugarcane plantation to support his family.
This inspired Aligante to take a Bachelor of Science in Criminology course hoping it would alleviate their poverty.
“Siling ko sang una ma-eskwela ko maayo kay indi ko gusto magbalik sa obra sa uma pero sang nag-police na ako, nagbalik gihapon ako sa pagpanguma kay ti nakita ko nga daku gid katama ang mahatag sa aton,” said Aligante.
He also attributed his success to watching farming videos on social media. He got an idea there.
Aligante also emphasized the importance of time management.
“Kon magtanum kaw nga pabaya-an mo, indi magbunga pero kon magtanum kaw kag saguron mo sang maayo, tagaan ka sang maayo nga harvest,” he added.
Aligante said nothing is impossible for people who work hard to achieve their dreams in life.
He stressed that people should not be ashamed of farming and honor farmers for putting food on the Filipino table. Salute to all farmers!/PN
