By Cyrus A. Natividad
Patrick Sablas continues to help his barangay.
Cansilayan in Buenavista Guimaras is a 5th class barangay where farm-to-market roads have not yet been cemented or given attention to benefit farmers; at least in their occupation of bringing their goods to the market.
When Mr. Patrick D. Sablas, a civic missionary Centralian, volunteered his way up to help the local government in Buenavista, he saw that a need to reeducate the farmers in terms of food production has to be given importance. He realized that the farmers are struggling to improve their livelihood without much awareness of new farm systems, means of transportation and limited soil production. Furthermore, Sablas pointed out that partnership is very important — owing to the necessary organization and training activities for the farmers and in particular, the out-of-school youth.
Since he came home from abroad, he occupied his time visiting farms, making analyses and drafting projects for the barangays. “It is just a matter of time for farmers and fisherfolks to realize that they have been left behind, and in a sense, local government must come to the rescue,” Sablas said.
Sablas, who spent a period of time, for his Bachelor of Science in Commerce Education major in Finance at CPU (2001-2002), intends to consider Central Philippine University College of Agriculture to be among the support sectors in his proposed progressive program for poor farmers and youth in the farms and communities, respectively.
Among the proposed projects of Sablas is to help improve the Farm to Market roads for farmers in Brgy. Cansilayan.
The compassionate civic missionary is bent on working fully on his project to help alleviate the economic and health situation in the communities. The project includes free education to farmers on technology and production; send poor but deserving students to schools, colleges and eventually to the Universities.
Even if Cansilayan is the understudy of his pilot project, Sablas never stops getting into the roots of reality. He talks to people in the community; he listens to the barangay folks in their concerns. Like most Centralians, his faith results to kindness and generosity.
Patrick D. Sablas was born on March 1, 1982 to Merly Morante Diamante and Patricio Malaki Sablas. When he was two years old, he was brought by his mother in Sitio Crossing Paho, Brgy. Cansilayan, Buenavista, Guimaras to live with her. He worked abroad with a diversified business experience. He travelled widely as a Marketing Executive, Sales and Distribution Consultant of industrial companies, here and abroad.