Firming up the LGUs commitments and providing them updates in the implementation of agricultural programs in Ilocos Region, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I through the Corn Banner Program convened the municipal corn coordinators for a quarterly review and strategic planning workshop in the four provinces started on May 3, 2021 at the DA-Pangasinan Research and Experiment Center (DA-PREC), Poblacion, Sual Pangasinan.
Attended by the Municipal Corn Coordinators of Districts 1-3, followed by the Districts 4-6 held at the DA-PREC in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, the review and planning workshop was facilitated by the Corn Banner Program led by its Focal Person, Ms. Loida Pacursa.
In his message delivered virtually during the first day of the activity, DA-RFO I’s OIC-Regional Executive Director Nestor Domenden conveyed his appreciation on the dynamic involvement of the LGU partners in the implementation of DA’s programs, projects and activities under the Corn Program especially during this time of pandemic.
Emphasizing on the need for a synchronized actions by the LGU extension workers with that of the DA following the guidelines of the Corn Banner Program, Director Domenden saw the need for timely reporting while making use of available communication platforms.
Finding the clustering and consolidation programs as a vital strategies to address production and marketing problems of agricultural commodities, he stressed the relevant role of the LGU-partners in crafting doable and strategic plans to address these concerns.
Relative to the crafting of the strategic plans for each municipalities and cities, Regional Technical Director, Erlinda Manipon in her discussion about the Provincial Led Agricultural and Fishery Extension Delivery System as spelled out in the second strategies of the OneDA Pillars that forms part of the Mandanas Ruling for a total devolution of agri-fishery extension programs in CY 2022, she reminded all LGU partners to look on their Local Development Investment Plans for agri-fishery with emphasis on the development of Human Resources and their capabilities as well as institutional capacities in the delivery of agri-fishery extension services.
With the state colleges and universities tasked to conduct a rapid appraisal starting this May, Director Manipon reminded the participants to get ready and upgrade their plans in anticipation of the increase on LGU’s Internal Revenue Allotment come CY 2022.
Meanwhile, Ms. Loida Pacursa, Regional Corn Focal Person provided updates on the CY 2021 programs, projects, activities and interventions of the Corn Banner Program such as but not limited to Production Assistance, buffer stocking program, extension and education support, agricultural and fishery machineries and equipment, and irrigation support.
The quarterly review and planning workshop is a regular activity of the DA, in partnership with the LGUs to assess strategies on project implementation thereby maximizing support and interventions for the farmers and fisherfolk in the region.###
