The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) organized an inter-agency workshop to discuss the inputting and updating of data sharing for the farm-to-market roads network.
The workshop held on June 30, 2023 brought together representatives from various government agencies involved in farm-to-market road (FMR) projects, namely the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) to discuss ways to improve data sharing and collaboration.
In his opening remarks, DA-BAFE Director Ariodear Rico emphasized the important role of a National Farm-to-Market Roads Network Plan for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for accelerated growth and employment in the agriculture sector.
The farm-to-market roads network is an essential agricultural infrastructure that provides transportation connectivity between farms and markets. The quality and quantity of these FMRs have a tremendous impact on transport costs for farmers. Good roads built near the farms lower production costs and raise the income that farmers get for their products. Hence, accurate and up-to-date data is necessary for the effective planning and maintenance of this network, said Director Rico.
The DA together with the DPWH, DILG, DTI, and DOT signed Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 01 series of 2023 on the “Formulation, Implementation, and Updating of the National Network of Farm-to-Market Roads” that defines the roles and functions of each government agency involved in FMR projects, Rico added.
The workshop strengthens the coordination and collaboration among NGAs to avoid duplication of initiatives and rationalized efforts, improve decision-making, and maximize complementation of resources. It also allows the visualization of the interconnectivity of interventions among DA, DPWH, DILG, DTI, DOT and other relevant agencies that implement infrastructure and food logistics, according to Engr. Allan Goleng, Interim Chief of Special Engineering Programs and Projects Division (SEPPD).
Representatives from each participating agency presented their projects, activities, and programs related to FMRs. Engr. Mohammed Nabel Noroden presented for DILG, Engr. Ireneo Pangabang for PRDP, Engr. Giselle Salayon for SRA, Engr. Ma. Lourdes Garriga for NIA, Ms. Christina Baldelomar for AMAS, and Mr. Adrian Cruz for DOT.
The establishment and maintenance of FMR common database through the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS) and GeoAgri System is covered in the JAO No. 01 Series of 2023. Engr. Arnel Tenorio presented an introduction on ABEMIS and GeoAgri. The ABEMIS is an in-house developed web-based information system that serves as the central data repository and a monitoring tool of all Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery and Infrastructure projects of the DA.
The workshop was a productive step towards improving data sharing for the farm-to-market roads network. By working together, agencies can ensure that this vital infrastructure is well-maintained and able to support the needs of Filipino farmers and markets. By DA-BAFE ICTST
