BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) through the Agriculture Sub-Sectoral Committee (Sub-SeCom) of the Economic Development Sectoral Committee (EconDev SeCom) converged for its 3rd quarter meeting to endorse and update programs and projects dedicated to agricultural development on August 13, 2024, in Guisad, Baguio City.
The meeting, chaired by Department of Agriculture-Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council–CAR Chairperson Ryan Palunan, focused on endorsing various agricultural programs to the EconDev SeCom for approval. Key proposals included upgrading the Bunot-Bacarri farm-to-market road (FMR) in Mt. Province, funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. This project aims to improve access to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where most rebel returnees from the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army are from, boost local agri-fishery productivity and resilience, improve the access of primary producers to production requirements to enhance the efficiency of agriculture; and facilitate the efficient movement of goods through improved infrastructure.
DA-CAR Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Chief Engr. Filemon Salvador also presented the agency’s proposed endorsement of verified FMRs. As of August 12, 2024, 44 FMRs are verified feasible, which cover the provinces of Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mt. Province. The FMRs are estimated to cost PhP1.323 billion, translating to a total of 88.26KM, which will benefit 5,187 farmers with a service area of 4,841 hectares.
The discussion emphasized that all FMRs must undergo technical review and validation according to the FMR Development Plan guidelines, with prioritization based on projects listed in the GeoAgri System. Additionally, there are plans to revive the FMR Regional Implementation and Management Committee, chaired by DA and the Department of Public Works and Highways, alongside the Departments of Trade and Industry, Tourism, and Interior and Local Government, to ensure the rationalization of proposed FMRs.
On the other hand, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provided an update on the Fisheries Management Area 1 (FMA1) Management Framework Plan, aligned with Fisheries Administrative Order No. 263 series of 2019. The plan aims to establish FMAs and implement a science-based governance framework for sustainable fisheries management, focusing on food security and poverty alleviation. In CAR, the FMA is being implemented in Apayao province, covering the Apayao river system. A resolution is requested from the RDC-CAR to endorse the FMA1 Management Framework Plan to all local government units in the region, encouraging its inclusion in their Annual Investment Plans.
Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority–CAR (NEDA-CAR) presented the priority agriculture projects included in the Regional-National Investment Programming Dialogue. The projects include eight priorities: five river irrigation projects by the National Irrigation Administration–CAR (NIA-CAR) and three DA-CAR projects. DA-CAR’s projects focus on improving production facilities, enhancing laboratory services (Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Regional Fed Chemical Analysis Laboratory, Regional Crop Protection Center, and Regional Soils Laboratory; and Sustaining Heritage and Advancing Rice Economy in the Cordillera through Unified and Holistic Interventions in Irrigated Heirloom Rice Areas. These projects were selected based on three criteria: readiness, responsiveness, and scope.
NIA-CAR also updated the committee on the 2023-2030 Regional Irrigation Master Plan, which was accepted in June 2024 and is awaiting a Certificate of Completion. A suggestion was made to include support for fisheries production areas in the plan.
OPAPRU Consultant and representative Dr. Cameron P. Odsey highlighted the challenges the Cordillera region faces with project proposals, as national guidelines typically cater to lowland agriculture, which doesn’t align with the region’s unique topography. Hence, he suggested that the RNIP can be used as an entry point for proposed projects that do not fall under the guidelines of the national level.
He also underscored the critical role of watersheds in sustaining irrigation projects and recommended integrating them into irrigation plans rather than treating them as separate initiatives.
The discussion also highlighted the economic distribution of the agriculture sector in terms of regional economic status, which may undervalue agriculture and could complicate budget proposals for the agency. Additionally, he said that the statistics may not reflect reality, hence, he emphasized the need to harmonize with the Philippine Statistics Authority to review how the agriculture sector is being measured and to have more concretized data. This concern will be raised to the Regional Statistics Committee, where DA is also a member. By Cy-j E. Waytan
