The Department of Agriculture in Ilocos through its Field Operations Division in tandem with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division convened the Provincial/Municipal/City Agriculturists and Veterinarians of the four provinces in the region for a consultation and briefing on DA programs and updates at the Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union.
A two-day activity that gathered around 125 heads of municipalities and cities in the region, the consultation and briefing provided an avenue for the DA management and field operations group to give updates and policy directions in the implementation of agricultural programs and projects for CY 2025.
RTD for Operations, Engr. Dennis Tactac in his welcome remarks noted the importance of conducting this consultation dialogue with the DA’s partners to thresh out the issues and concerns in project implementation while providing an opportunity for sharing good practices and experiences of the LGU-partners which can be adopted by the other local government units in the region for better DA project implementation.
Providing in details what the DA would be working on in CY 2025, Ms. Milagros dela Rosa, in lieu of Ms. Doris Joy Garcia, the Planning Officer of DA in Ilocos presented the DA’s CY 2025 strategic directions aligning with the goals, thrust and objectives of the ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’ plan of the Marcos administration.
Ms. Analiza Ramos, Chief of the Field Operations likewise updated the Municipal and City agriculturists with the various priority plans and programs of the DA in Ilocos this coming 2025 emphasizing more on the five major banner programs of the DA including its special programs for specific sectors in the region.
To provide the participants an avenue to air their issues and concerns, an Open Forum was facilitated with OIC-RED John Pascual back to back with RTD Tactac leading the activity in addressing the issues and concerns raised relative to devolution of AEWs, protocol and guidelines in project implementation, capacity and competency of hired agricultural extension workers, among others.
The consultation and briefing with the LGU heads in agriculture is an annual activity of the DA in Ilocos to strengthen its partnership and collaboration with them necessary to carry out the programs and projects in the agriculture and fishery sector in the region.
