Stakeholders urged to strengthen coordination for Antique’s food security

Antique Provincial Agriculturist, Dr. Gina Jordan underscored the importance of collective efforts in ensuring food security in the province and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders during the Monthly Provincial Stakeholders Forum in Antique on March 19.

“Agriculture is not the job of one person or one sector. Each stakeholder has a role to play in uplifting the agri-fishery sector,” she stressed.

She acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change and urged the operationalization of existing programs and to maximize their impact.

“We are here every day to implement these services and face challenges to benefit our farming communities,” she added.

Jordan assured stakeholders of the Provincial Government’s commitment to fostering better coordination to harmonize DA programs in Antique.

“We can work together, but we need proper coordination among stakeholders,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, DA-Western Visayas Field Operations Chief and Rice Program Focal Person Ryan V. Rasgo highlighted the increased budget allocation for Region 6 through the leadership of Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia, urging stakeholders to expand project areas to reach more farmers with DA interventions.

Rasgo also reported that rice production in the fourth quarter of 2024 was higher compared to the same period in 2023. He expressed optimism for a better yield in early 2025, following the mainstreaming of the Masagana Rice Program.

The DA-WC called for continued partnership and broader stakeholder engagement, urging the inclusion of state universities and colleges (SUCs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and farmers’ associations (FAs) in future meetings to mainstream DA activities and expand program implementation.

The meeting was attended by DA-attached agencies and bureaus, including PhilRice, NIA, PhilMech, NFA, BFAR, PAFC Antique and DA banner programs, along with the Provincial Agriculture Office staff and Municipal Agriculturists. 

Participants had the opportunity to raise concerns and discuss updates on agricultural programs.

The monthly gathering is organized by the DA-WV Agricultural Programs Coordinating Office (APCO) Antique led by APCO Sonie Guanco to strengthen coordination and program implementation in the province.### Text by Myleen S. Subang and Photos by Khrysma Dei C. Caldina / DA-RAFIS 6