BAGUIO CITY – To minimize and avert any inconsistency in implementing the different programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR), a synchronized approach of activities will be instituted in the region starting this 2025.
In the Abra Provincial Implementers Meeting (PIM) attended by the representatives of the provincial veterinarian and municipal agriculturists, DA-CAR Field Operations Division (FOD) Chief Beverly Pekas explained that the department’s strategic policy starting this year would focus on improvements in the delivery of services for the different banner programs and projects to be implemented.
“This Provincial Implementers Meeting is a very important activity especially with the presence of our banner program coordinators and other program representatives. I see young ones and the future of agriculture in Abra is very promising with your presence, since this is a venue for all of us to monitor our progress, where and what the accomplishments of our activities are, the deliveries of interventions to our farmer beneficiaries, including the issues and concerns for us to attain a smooth and successful implementation of programs and projects to the utmost satisfaction of our farmer beneficiaries,” Pekas said.
The FOD Chief reiterated the need for the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and municipal agriculturists, being the program facilitators, to better assist the farmer beneficiaries through a synchronized approach in program and project implementation to attain the targets and objectives identified under the banner programs and other projects.
DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan has instructed all banner programs to come up with enhanced project proposals that should coincide with the 2026-2028 project proposal workshop that the Director is scheduled to attend.
An example of the enhanced project proposal is the possible re-allocation of funds allocated for the region through the banner programs to other programs and projects that has a higher potential for success. The re-allocation would be based on the production targets and performance identified by the banner programs anchored toward poverty reduction.
“When we met with Director Dawayan in December last year, we discussed that the first PIM session for the year will be the presentation of plans, targets, and budgets for the year, it means banners, units will be presenting the projects, activities, programs for Abra, We have to let our municipal agriculturist know what the activities and what interventions will we bring here so that we will have proper coordination because you are our partners in the field,” Pekas added.
Aside from having shovel-ready and enhanced project proposals for the province of Abra, it should also consider the effects of climate change through the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives for Agriculture or AMIA, pest and disease occurrence when planning, inclusivity specially of the Indigenous Peoples, women, marginalized sectors, senior citizens, and the youth who are all involved in agricultural activities, and the efforts toward consolidation and clustering of farmers and fisherfolks in CAR.
The PIM also discussed the current initiatives being undertaken by the Regional Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and georeferencing, Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System, and the Integrated Laboratories Division in Abra and the region. By JTLlanes
