TABUK CITY, Kalinga – To address arising issues and concerns in the implementation of agricultural projects and programs, a provincial implementers meeting was held on June 13, in Tabuk, Kalinga.
Participated by the provincial and municipal local government unit (LGU) key representatives, the activity was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture- Cordillera (DA-CAR) through the Agricultural Programs Coordination Office (APCO) in Kalinga.
The regional programs and projects being implemented in Kalinga were presented by the regional focal persons and division office representatives. Issues and concerns were tackled afterwards looking into the underlying causes to better address the bottlenecks in project implementation. Among the major issues and concerns raised and addressed included the slow accomplishment of required documents by project beneficiaries; unclaimed intervention monitoring cards; rice farmers’ financial assistance identification of beneficiaries, including the proper coordination of programs, projects, and activities in the province down to the lower levels.
APCO J.R. Balag-ey A. Claver noted it is the first time the province is facilitating the project implementers meeting which is intended to be conducted on a quarterly basis. The activity is a platform to also level off understanding of new programs and projects, including strengthening of coordination efforts with the LGUs.
“We want the smooth implementation of projects for efficient and effective implementation for the utmost satisfaction of our clients,” added Assistant Field Operations Chief Engr. Beverly Pekas while encouraging the agri-stakeholders to help each other through partnership.
Meanwhile, guidelines and concepts of new programs and projects such as the farms and fisheries clustering and consolidation (F2C2) program were also dissected to give light and facilitate better its application in the province. Forms and proposal templates were also provided to the municipal governments to facilitate submission of proposals and other documentary requirements in the province.
Crisante Rosario, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Person, on the other hand, conducted an information drive on La Nina which was forecasted to have a 69% chance of occurrence as of May 2024.
Hence, the country is currently under La Nina watch. Advisories on this phenomenon are ongoing in multi-media platforms to guide the implementation of programs and projects, including the conduct of agri-fishery activities in the region as a whole. In terms of typhoons, Rosario reported that about 10-13 tropical cyclones are expected to enter the country between June to November this year, as per the climate outlook of DOST- PAGASA. He then encouraged the participants to include in their local activities the information drive on La Nina.
The next project implementers meeting for Kalinga is set for August 2024. By JBAgrifino