La Union – In order to identify clear-cut issues and concerns in the agriculture sector and provide feedback on the effectiveness of government interventions to farmers and fisherfolk, members of the Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) Sectoral Committee convened on October 7, 2022 at the Ariana Hotel, Bauang, La Union.

Regional AFC Chair Benjamin Campañano led the meeting along with Mr. Roosevelt Peralta, OIC-Chief of the DA RFO 1’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division and RAFC Executive Officer, and participated in by around 30 sectoral committee members.

Issues discussed, among others, include the implementation of intensified border control of provinces to arrest the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) and avian influenza.

In a report by the DA RFO 1 Regulatory Division, only the municipalities of Burgos and Solsona in Ilocos Norte are currently under the Red Zone due to the positive cases of ASF reported recently.

During the meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon by the members that the AFC will craft a resolution of their recommendations to the DA, including, among others, the proposal for stringent measures in order to safeguard hog and poultry raisers against the aforementioned poultry and livestock diseases.

Members of the committee likewise took note of the increasing price of pork and other commodities in some markets of the region.

Meanwhile, Mr. Peralta recognized the dedication and contributions of the AFC especially in implementation and monitoring of DA activities.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 and Philippine Carabao Center Region 1, represented by Ms. Mea Baldonado and Ms. Vilma Gagni, respectively, also presented latest updates on their programs, projects and activities for 2022 and 2023.

Also present and provided updates were Ms. Maricar Bongais (High Value Crops Development Program), Ms. Maybelyn Libong (Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture), and Ms. Nicolene Fines (Regulatory Division). ###