SCED 1st Quarter Meeting, held
Written and Photos, Taken by Bryan Arcilla
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV CALABARZON hosted the Sectoral Committee on Economic Development (SCED) first quarter meeting on February 9, 2018 at Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (STIARC), Lipa City, Batangas.
“This sectoral committee is mandated to promote the development of our region particularly in agriculture, trade and industry, technology, environment and natural resources,” Regional Executive Director Arnel V. de Mesa said in his opening remarks.
Director de Mesa reported to the sectoral committee the regional profile of the DA CALABARZON including its champion commodities, programs, and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).
According to him, DA’s role is vital in the realization of the goals of the Regional Development Plan for 2017 โ 2022, particularly on expanding economic opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
DA is envisioning the CALABARZON to be competitive and self-sufficient region, anchored on the wise utilization of its agricultural lands and resources through intensive research and extension strategies, appropriate support services, crop-livestock integration, and public-private partnership.
Other CALABARZON SCED members who also attended the meeting were from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Tourism (DOT), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), National Food Authority (NFA), local government units (LGUs), and private sector representatives who are involved in agriculture, environment, trade and industry, and tourism.