BAGUIO CITY – As part of the activities during the launching of the distribution of the Intervention Monitoring Cards (IMC) to farmer beneficiaries in the provinces Apayao and Kalinga, the Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) led the meeting with local chief executives (LCEs) on April 24-26,2024 to strengthen the convergence of efforts in implementing agriculture programs and projects in the said areas.
DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan explained the importance of meeting with LCEs with the aim of synergizing the strengths of both agencies, offering beneficiaries operational effectiveness of the program.
“The purpose of our meeting with the local chief executives in the province and municipalities of Apayao and Kalinga seeks to strengthen our alliance with them being co-partners in the development and implementation of agriculture programs and projects in the region, we want to consult with the LCEs for us to harmonize the measures that we will be undertaking based on the strategic direction that the department will follow under the leadership of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.,” Dawayan said.
The discussions covered the priorities of the province and municipalities including of their agricultural development plan, the Heirloom Rice Development Plan; alternative transport system, upland irrigation system, support to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and farmers cooperatives and associations, civil society organization and farmers and fisherfolk enterprises.
The possibility of improving other areas of communication and collaboration, reporting of damages, suggestions to stabilize prices of vegetables and other commodities, and status of requests and proposals for agricultural projects greatly benefiting each municipality, and data gathering from the different agricultural projects for proper analysis of the regional field office that will serve as a basis for the development of future programs and projects of the department among others were also discussed during the meeting with LCEs.
“We are really trying to push for consolidation, marketing, and consultation of heirloom rice, rice, corn, and livestock among others,” Dawayan stated.
The director reiterated to the LCE’s on the process and submission of project proposals having complete detailed information, engineering and design for infrastructure projects, while project proposals should contain the necessary detailed information which will be used by the department as a system of verification, that are both aligned with the municipal agricultural plan supportive of the major production areas the LCE’s wants to support. By JTLlanes
