OISCA: JAPANESE ASSISTED FARM IN CANLAON CITY

This is the OISCA Center at Canlaon City.  This Center is also an administrative office of the project.  The Demonstration Farms are located around this compound. 

This is how the website of Canlaon City describes OISCA Farm:

"Privately owned man-made lakes with the prime purpose of irrigating hundreds of hectares of rice lands, it serves as a demonstration farm of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) of Japan in Southern Philippines which is concerned with the environmental conservation of the area.  It is located nine kilometers from the city proper and southwest of the verdant mountain chain of Mt. Kanlaon in Brgy.  Lumapao, approximately 400 meters above sea level with the advantage of year-round coolness.  

The farm has turned the rocky slopes into three manmade lakes which are ideal for swimming with added gardens of sun canopy covered with vine roses or climbing ornamental flowering plants that corridors the landscape of lush green vegetation and refreshing the park for picnic and camping.  OISCA garden has cottages and training center for workshops of students and workers preparatory for fieldwork courses in Japan.

The site, with its bridge shed in the north lagoon and garden seats, is ideal for vacationers and sightseers who can view from the hilltop of hardwood line trees the eye-catching vistas of the valley - Canlaon City Southwest and in San Carlos City, Sipaway Island of the Tañon Strait to the east."
(Source: Canlaon City Website)

The first time I heard about OISCA was in the middle part of 1980's when a Japanese OISCA Volunteer was introduced to me.  His name was Fumio Mizuno.  I was then connected with the Governor's Office of the Province of Negros Occidental.  From Mizuno, I learned so many things about OISCA, the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International of Japan.

I had the chance to visit the OISCA in Canlaon City with my friends Jo and Ligut.  We talked to one of the personnel of OISCA during this visit and we learned how OISCA helped the community of farmers improve the yield of their rice production through scientific method introduced by OISCA rice technicians.  

OISCA have so many project areas in the Philippines, where I came from.  For example, the Children's Forest Program in Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province, Benguet, Palawan, Davao, and others. OISCA has projects in Bago City and Canlaon in the island of Negros.  It is the OISCA Canlaon that I recently visited this year.

What is OISCA Canlaon? It is a training center that specifically provides the following:

• short and long-term training in the organic production of Japanese rice among the youth of Negros Island. This is made possible under the guidance and supervision of the OTTAA (OISCA Technical Trainees Alumni Association) members who learned how to plant rice in Japan.
• The center also runs a silkworm production facility for sericulture and its staff is providing technical assistance to the sericulture farmers. (Source: OISCA Website)

Ostrich on the farm. 

My visit to OISCA was upon the invitation of a friend who hailed from Canlaon.  From Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, we traveled that early morning and it took us about three hours to reach the heartland of Negros Island.  Canlaon City is also the jump-off point to Kanla-on Volcano. Mountaineers from all over the world traveled to Canlaon City, before doing a trek to the fabled volcano, the highest mountain in the Visayas.

Canlaon is a bustling city being the service center and link to all towns and cities in the oriental and Occidental Negros.

After we had coffee, our team went to OISCA.  But, it was to my surprise that the famous century tree of Canlaon has located just a little distance from OISCA.  We exchanged notes or had a little conversation with the locals and the project staff of OISCA.

Most of the farming communities around OISCA are their members.  The farmers produced rice and vegetables as well as engaged in tree planting activities and conservation activities.  I learned that most of the rice produced at OISCA are sold to Japan and the rest are sold locally.

We were having a grand time at OISCA and concocted this idea that probably the site is where the treasure of Yamashita have been buried.  Later, we just laughed at our craziness.

After moving around the OISCA Compound, we proceeded to the next destination, the Inland Resort of Canlaon, located at Malaiba.

I felt the urge to try and swim at the Inland Resort but we have to go back to Canlaon to visit my friend's rice land and then have lunch and travel to San Carlos City, where we have to catch the barge for Toledo, Cebu.

I never grow tired of traveling and seeing new places and meeting people.  Canlaon City is just one of these destinations that I promised to come back.

That time, probably, I will explore Maput Trail to Kanla-on Volcano.  When that happens, it will be my third time to climb Kanla-on.  Just hoping.

Canlaon City is accessible by public transport from Dumaguete, Bacolod City and all towns and cities in Negros Island.  From other islands in the Visayas and Mindanao, the ports of entry to Canlaon City are Bacolod City, San Carlos, Sibulan, Dumaguete City and other smaller ports surrounding Negros Island.

*There are Ceres Buses that service Canlaon City from any points in Negros Island.

*There are several inns and hotels in Canlaon that offers affordable rates.  Most of these hotels and inn are located on the main road of Canlaon City such as in the Midtown, Uptown, and Downtown.

*Finally, if you like this story, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this with your friends.

*Photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre.

*Updated on June 14, 2020 

*Reviewed on September 18, 2021.