DA, sectoral representatives convene for 2026 budget proposal planning in Iloilo City

Program implementers from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas, its attached bureaus and line agencies, along with representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and Agriculture and Fishery Councils (AFCs) in Region VI, convened in Iloilo City on December 11 to thoroughly plan the programs, projects, and activities to be funded for fiscal year 2026.

According to DA Western Visayas’ Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division Chief Atty. Rolin Asuncion, the three-day activity, which will run until December 13, is a response to the memorandum order dated October 18 this year issued by Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr., which directed all concerned government offices to involve the LGUs and other stakeholders in the crafting of a strategic regional agriculture plan to ensure that the DA’s investment programs align with the local budgets.

DA Western Visayas’ Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia emphasized that under the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, the LGUs are empowered to claim their rightful share of national taxes, enhancing resource allocation and effectively addressing pressing local needs. However, challenges persist, such as prioritizing limited budgets and manpower while strategizing operations through a whole-of-government approach.

He stressed that multi-sectoral participation in the planning process is needed to be able to access more funding to boost local agricultural production by implementing structural strategies to support farmers, attain food security, and elevate the living conditions of food producers. In addition, Director Arpia shared that from ninth rank in terms of budget allocation in 2023, DA Western Visayas will be receiving the fourth largest budget among the regions in 2025.

“While we strive to move forward with the different thematic assignments, it is important to consider that sustainable development is anchored not only on food security but also on ensuring that farmers are in a good and stable condition,” he underscored.

Heads and representatives from the DA’s attached bureaus and agencies and other government offices, such as the Department of Agrarian Reform, National Irrigation Administration, and Commission on Higher Education, presented their respective programs and projects to the stakeholders to cascade the opportunities which the local farmers can avail.

DA Western Visayas’ Regional Technical Directors Zarlina Cuello, Maria Teresa Solis, and Regional AFC Chairperson Buen Mondejar led the group in discussing several constraints in the agri-fishery industry. Among the concerns are structural gaps in farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) who struggled with the CSO accreditation process, limiting their access to government interventions. To address this particular problem, they deemed it necessary to intensify the capacity development programs for implementing CSOs.

They also cited the importance of ensuring the suitability of government resources to the specific needs of farmers and their communities to avoid waste and low utilization of support, proper training before project turnover, and organizational strengthening.

LGUs are likewise urged to help monitor and mitigate the entry and emergence of transboundary crop pests and animal diseases and climate-related risks to sustain high agricultural productivity.

Prior to the workshops of the DA Banner Programs, Accounting Office chief Mary Grace Herbolario enumerated the requirements for Fund Transfer to LGUs and Budget Officer Jose Sergio Borja discussed the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management for plan and budget proposal preparations. Banner programs will spearhead the breakout sessions for budget planning, which will serve as the indicative budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026.###Text and Photos by SMHToreno & MSSubang/DA-RAFIS 6