Livestock Focal Attends Harmonization and Consultative Planning Workshop of the DA’s NLP

The ATI-RTC-CAR through the Livestock Focal Person from the Partnership and Accreditation Section (PAS) attended the Harmonization and Consultative Planning Workshop of the ATI-NLP and the DA-RFOs for Plans and Activities for FY 2026-2027 held on January 20-24, 2025 at the ATI-ITCPH, Lipa City, Batangas.

The activity aimed to prioritize the harmonization and alignment of targets between the DA-RFOs and ATI-NLP, focal persons from the regional training centers of ATI and regional offices of DA collaborate to ensure understanding of the priorities of their respective offices. Representatives of the attached agencies of the DA such as the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and National Dairy Authority (NDA) were also present.

Atty. Rhaegee Tamaña, from the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar provided directives on the coordination of resources and strategies to ensure a unified approach to livestock development. Joining the discussion are former NLP Director Dr. Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco, ATI Assistant Director Ms. Antonieta J. Arceo, and NLP Deputy Director Mr. Alvin Paul Dirain.

Ms. Maribeth M. Ladu-an, the Center’s Livestock Focal Person said that through this planning workshop, collective efforts in supporting and advancing the livestock sector are optimized. She affirmed that the activity focused on delivering a range of educational support programs and training services, tailored to the needs of regional and local government units. Additionally, she said that the program will empower stakeholders at the grassroots level, strengthen local capacities, and promote sustainable practices within the livestock industry.

Workshop and presentation of the 2026-2027 WFP were done per region to ensure that LEED and other activities were covered. The proposed budget for CAR is 13,000,000.00 for 2026. According to Ms. Ladu-an, the following agreements were made during the said activity:

• ATI to conduct training for the Livestock Opportunities and Viable Enterprise (LOVE) for Agricultural Farming Communities with the following components: Chicken Layer Project with ₱89,000.00/batch for 6 batches (1 batch per province). DA-RFO will provide the modules with 11 modules/recipients per region.
• In compliance with the DA-Memo on the directives for FY 2026 Plans, the ATI will focus the training for RFO recipients on Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED.
• The DA’s Regional Field Offices RFOs to identify the participants of the training activities, particularly the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED), the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the National Livestock Program (NLP) beneficiaries.
• Livestock Congress activity will be funded by ATI while the Gawad Livestock Award will be lodged with the DA-RFO but will be part of the congress.  This will be conducted in celebration of the Livestock and Poultry Week Every October.
• RFO and ATI Focals to sign the WFP to attest that they both concurred
• IEC Materials-Print IEC and success stories will be lodged under ATI
• ATI to talk to NMIS-RTOC for the priority training BMIC-900,000; GHSP-360,000.00 and Retooling will be 600,000/batch

A visit to the Sta. Maria Dairy Farm and Pia’s Bee Farm were done at the fourth day.

The ATI-ITCPH hosted the said activity and was spearheaded by the DA’s National Livestock Program. //with reports from Ms. Maribeth M. Ladu-an, Livestock Focal