SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – Participated by 30 individuals who were key players in agricultural extension in the provinc eof Surigao del Norte, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII led the conduct of the Provincial Consultation Workshop for FY 2026 Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) Needs on March 14, 2023 at JB Nature Farm and Resort, Brgy. Sukailang.

This is to harmonize AFE needs among extension service providers in preparation for the implementation of full devolution by Executive Order No. 28 series of 2008.

The partakers were representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), Municipal Agriculture Offices, Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Region through its Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Cooperators, and farmers’ cooperatives and associations from the province of Surigao del Norte.

Mary Lez Parejo, Senior Agriculturist of PCA-SDN, presented the updates on PCA extension plans and programs among the coconut farmers in the province. Some issues were discussed, answered, and clarified.

Ressell Angelie Fetalsana, Information Officer II, also gave an update about the school-on-the-air program to be implemented by the Center intended for Surigao del Norte this 2024. A briefing on ATI’s UNExSyS AEW Registry System was also done by Teovelita P. Rodriguez, PEO I.

Moreover, Planning Officer Nena Lomuntad explained the Trust and Priorities of the Institute and its Policy Directions and presented the Presentation of FY 2023 Physical Accomplishment Report and the FY 2024 Work and Financial Plan (WFP), followed by the workshop on Training Needs Assessment (TNA).

During the workshop, participants presented their top five priority training needs per commodity program for 2026.