SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – After pilot-testing the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) in Agusan del Norte, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 13 (DA-Caraga) is now taking initial steps in introducing the said initiative in the province.

On February 10, 2022, DA-Caraga conducted an Orientation and Briefing on PAFES and the 18 Key Strategies of the department at the Provincial Agriculture Office. The purpose was to brief and give updates on the implementation of PAFES and the timeline of activities within the year.

The PAFES is an initiative of DA in preparation for the full implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling to fully capacitate the LGUs in the delivery of agricultural programs and services in the provinces. It is one of the key strategies of the OneDA approach. The shift will be undertaken in partnership with LGUs, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the private sector, and farmers’ organizations.
According to Edelmira Luminarias, PAFES Focal Person, the role of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is to act as a secretariat and to fund training activities, scholarships, and preparatory undertakings of PAFES.

Among those present during the orientation-briefing were Hon. Melva P. Garcia (Provincial Board Member/Committee Chair on Agriculture; Ruby Ann S. Lagahit (Provincial Agriculturist); Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. (DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director); Rebecca O. Atega (Regional Technical Director); staff from DA-Caraga and PLGU of Surigao del Norte; representatives from ATI, other DA attached agencies, and Surigao State College of Technology (SSTC).