Iloilo 4th quarter stakeholders meeting highlights fuel subsidy and EL Nino mitigation guidelines

Gathering together to deliver updates on the concerns of the agricultural sectors, Municipal Agriculturists (MAOs) from the Province of Iloilo convened for a regular quarter stakeholders meeting facilitated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas on October 10, 2023 in Iloilo City. 

The meeting highlighted the presentation of guidelines on Fuel Subsidy, El Niño updates and mitigation interventions, farm and fishery consolidation programs, and School on air on Fisheries. 

Mr. Mark Gamboa, DA-WV Focal Person for fuel subsidy program ascertains MAOs that the team works on the accuracy of the master list of beneficiaries and that their role from the local government units is important to achieve such targets.  

According to Climate and Environment Risk Reduction and Management Section (CERRMS) Head Engr. Jimmy Eledia, it is crucial for MAOs to cascade the information on the historical trends, recorded climate patterns, and the agriculture industry strategies so that farmers will work with its LGU and concerned agencies for strategies on how to maximize production in nonvulnerable areas and saving production in vulnerable areas during the El Niño periods. 

Mr. Andrew Palomar, Focal Person for F2C2 program shared about the direction of the clustering and consolidation interventions of the Department of Agriculture. MAOs are key players in the identification, endorsing, clustering, and capacitating of farmers and fisherfolk groups toward availing DA services.  As of today, there are 49 clustered formed but F2C2 is still working hand in hand with MAOs for more clustering activities. 

Meanwhile, DA Western Visayas Regional Information Officer James Earl Ogatis invited everyone for the enrolment of School on Air on Seaweeds, Shellfish, and Fish Cage Culture and Management in collaboration with the BFAR 6. 

PCIC Representative Glen Carbon informed all MAOs about the advisory of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation on planting cut-off dates for rice and corn insurance for the 2nd and 3rd cropping. For rainfed rice and corn, in all provinces, the cut-off date is October 31, 2023. For irrigated rice land, rice areas effectively irrigated by NIA are qualified for crop insurance after the cut-off date for the rainfed areas. Planting date should be at least 60 days before the scheduled maintenance cut-off date of NIA. Small Water Impounding System (SWIS) and Communal Irrigation System  (CIS) may qualify for crop insurance upon the recommendation of the City/Municipal Agriculture Office and after validation and approval of PCIC that it has the capacity to sustain the source of water for the 2nd and 3rd cropping season. ###(MCMBuala/DA-RAFIS 6)