Strengthening linkages and network with its provincial and municipal counterparts in the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s programs and projects and also provide them updates on the plans and budgets for CY 2023, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region met with the Provincial Agriculturists and Veterinarians including the Presidents of the League of Municipal/City Agriculturists of the Philippines (LEMCAP) in the four provinces for a Provincial Management Meeting today, October 4, 2022.
An activity initiated by the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED), the meeting was held at the DA-RFO I 5th Floor Conference Room in San Fernando City, La Union.
In a welcome remarks delivered by OIC-RTD Doris Joy Garcia, she called on the provincial officers to focus on the indicative plan and budget proposals presented by the various Banner Programs Focal Person to identify activities where they could complement efforts and resources especially in the identification of project beneficiaries.
On the other hand, OIC-RTD for Research and Regulations, Dr. Evelyn C. Fernando supported RTD Garcia’s remarks of bringing back the outstanding performance of the region as it was in the previous years and reiterated the need to strengthen collaboration of the regional office with the provincial and municipal/city local government units.
Joining the appeal of Dir. Fernando, DA-RFO I OIC-Regional Executive Director Annie Bares encouraged the partner implementers to re-visit the best practices that the region has been doing as a guide in successfully implementing agri-development programs and projects in the region.
Meanwhile, providing the participants the recommended budget and planned activities by the region for CY 2023, the focal persons of the five banner programs of DA-RFO I presented the indicative plans and budget allocated for each of the four provinces.
Ms. Maricar Bongais, focal person for the High Value Crops Development Program presented the P135,000,088.00 total budget allocation of the Program which will be used for the purchase of seeds and planting materials for vegetables, education support and extension and training services, post harvest and production facilities as well as farm machineries and equipment.
In support to onion production in the province of Pangasinan which was not mentioned in the presentation under the HVCDP, Engr. Raul Geronimo, Regional President of LEMCAP requested for the inclusion of the provision of white onion in the programs of DA.
In response, Dr. Bares asked Engr. Geronimo to prepare a project proposal which can be funded from other source.
On the Livestock Program, the region has a total budget of P337,781,000 to fund major livestock-related projects such as multiplier farms, prevention and control of economically important diseases and swine cluster establishments.
The Organic Agriculture Program presented by its Assistant Focal Person, Mr. Rufino Gagni, has a total of P24,664,000.00 fund for organic agriculture-related projects and activities.
The Rice Program, presented by Mr. Erwin Frigillana, the Focal Person, has the biggest fund allocation of Php3.5B for CY 2023.
Among the proposed activities under the program include the repair and rehabilitation of major irrigation systems in the region, provision of production inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, research and development, as well as post harvest facilities and equipment.
To complete the fund allocation for Ilocos region for CY 2023, the Corn Banner Program presented by Mr. Florante Gallebo, the focal person, has a total budget allocation of P333 million with an increase of 390 percent from the Php84.65 million fund this year.
A planning workshop is scheduled to be participated by the municipal and provincial focal persons for each of the five major banner programs to efficiently carry out the various programs and projects presented.###
