Visayas-wide AFC stakeholders confab  crafts policy solutions to sectoral concerns 

 Agriculture-Fishery Council (AFC) stakeholders from Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas convened in the cluster-wide conference in Iloilo City on August 14-15 to tackle the prevailing issues and concerns in the agri-fishery sector and to generate well-thought-out policy recommendations to endorse to the Department of Agriculture (DA) implementers.

Anchored on the theme “Re-live AFCs: Energizing and Empowering AFC Leaders in Valuable Agri-Fishery Interventions amidst Climate Crisis,” the confab resulted in the approval of 51 Visayas AFC resolutions concerning the adaptation and mitigation initiatives for agriculture, the National Convergence Initiative, DA-Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation, the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program, and other sectoral challenges. 

DA Assistant Secretary for Logistics, Daniel Alfonso Atayde, lauded the commitment of the AFC volunteers and stakeholders in the project management and policy development, which guarantees accountability and transparency in the budget allocation and expenditures. He also emphasized how the  DA’s goal of supporting sustainable development and climate crisis are closely related, and that to improve the agri-fisheries, the department is dedicated to guiding the farmers and fisherfolk. 

“The climate crisis resonates deeply with the DA’s mission of promoting sustainable agricultural development. With the weather monitoring system that we are making, we hope to study and change our planting to improve our productivity. The fluctuations affect the prices and resources and the limitations that strain our production,” said Asst. Secretary Atayde. 

DA Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia recognized the roles and support of the AFCs as partners in the project monitoring and in providing policy recommendations to improve the sector.

“Kayo po ang konkretong tulay na kailangan po namin lagi para titingin sa ating pagbalanse. We are trying to devise a monitoring and improvement system to help the AFCs and make sure that they are being involved. They are not only in the monitoring but are also part of the implementation of the agri-fishery projects. Hindi mo ma-iimprove ang mga bagay na hindi mo nasusukat. We always need to know where we are now.Maging bahagi po tayo ng mas matuwid, mas maganda at mas maunlad na pagbabago,” said Director Arpia.

Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) OIC-Executive Director Julieta Opulencia said that the conduct of the stakeholders’ conference has been significant in passing policy recommendations that support the sector’s development, including provisions in food safety practices and updating the Philippine National Standards, among other resolutions. 

Over 200 AFC stakeholders, particularly from the Offices of the Provincial, City, and Municipal Agriculturists, farmers, and fisherfolk leaders, shared and exchanged insights meant to address sectoral issues and concerns.  

DA officials, Asst. Secretary Atayde, PCAF OIC-Executive Director Julieta Opulencia, Director Arpia, and Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council chairperson Buen Mondejar, vowed to strengthen their support to AFCs by providing them the necessary resources and training in response to the rising problems and demands in the sector through the ceremonial signing of the commitment wall. They also signified their support to local communities, preserve the environment, and uphold ethical standards by involving AFCs at all levels.

Climate Change Commission Policy Research and Development Deputy Chief Arnold Grant Belver delved into adaptation and mitigation initiatives for the resilient agri-fishery sector. At the same time, Justine Devela, Project Development Officer IV and Deputy Head, presented the roles and programs of the National Convergence Initiative – Sustainable Rural Development. 

In addition, PCAF OIC-Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban discussed the DA’s guidelines for CSO accreditation, which work alongside the government in promoting and implementing rural development initiatives. 

On the other hand, Iloilo City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao shared with the participants how the ‘Rise-A-Farm’ project won as one of the national finalists in the Walang Gutom Awards of the Galing Pook. One of the project components is the establishment of the JPT Ediscapes with 71 barangays in the city, which are currently maintaining communal gardens that provide sustainable, affordable, and accessible food sources to urban residents.

Three national YFC Program winners from Western Visayas – Reynro Herrera, Seth Luigi Borbon, and Harry Luces, shared their innovative agri-enterprises that significantly contribute to food security and boost agricultural economic growth in the region. 

Another highlight of the conference was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the “Making Idle Lands Productive” Project by Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Buen Mondejar.

The project is a collaborative initiative of DA Western Visayas, Iloilo Provincial Government, RAFC Western Visayas, West Visayas State University  College of Agriculture and Forestry (WVSU-CAF), and Panay Organization for Progressive Agriculture (POPA). This undertaking intends to cultivate suited crops on idle lands at the WVSU-CAF campus in Lambunao, Iloilo, prioritizing cacao intercropped with coconut. The university will use the proceeds for research and future project expansion.

PCAF will set to hold the next stakeholders conference this year in Cotabato City. ###

Texts by: SMHToreno and JESCEsmao & Photos by: ELGregorio, VNOQuimpo and KDCCaldina