Written and Photos, Taken by Radel Llagas
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV CALABARZON conducted a consultation with the local government units of Batangas and some farmers’ groups for the crafting of Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) for 2018 – 2023 on June 13 – 14, 2018 at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Cavite.
Among the attached agencies for Region IV-A present and represented were the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Out of 34 cities and municipalities in Batangas, 27 were present and represented.
According to Maria Ella Cecilia B. Obligado, Chief of DA CALABARZON Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PMED), the consultation aims to solicit among the stakeholders’ inputs to harmonize planning and budgeting processes; determine issues on input supply, production, postharvest, processing, and marketing of several commodities; and formulate strategies and identify appropriate interventions to address identified issues.
Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Batangas Fidel L. Libao welcomed the participants of the event. Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Operations and Extension Milo D. delos Reyes gave an inspiring message on the importance of planning. Regulatory Division Chief Rufina S. Sanidad discussed the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ). And Supervising Science Research Specialist from Research Division Rosemarie B. Olfato explained the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and TOWS analysis.
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