A two-birds-in-one-stone activity of PAFES Cordillera was Conducted in Paoay Ilocos Norte with 65 participants from the provincial and municipal LGUs of Benguet, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Apayao last March 14-16, 2023. The activity was facilitated by the DA-RFO-CAR, BFAR-CAR, and ATI-RTC-CAR Team.
The objective of the Activity was that the 6 provinces should have enhanced and finalized their CPAFEP and developed a plan for the smooth implementation of their CPAFEPs.
Each province was given a span of time to plan and construct their project proposal according to the guidelines that were given to them, this guideline contains the management and the implementation of the allocated budget for the province-led agriculture and fisheries system (PAFES). Moreover, there is still clarification on the guidelines but the DA-RFO-CAR, BFAR-CAR and ATI-RTC-CAR still encourage the six provinces to focus on their project proposal for them to download the budget that was allocated per province for the year 2023. The training cost standards of ATI were also distributed per province. Ms. Louis June Fermin, BFAR-CAR Asst. Regional Director discussed the ways forward for the group to be reminded regarding the PAFES activities ahead of time.
One of the highlights of the activity was the INAFES benchmarking at the INAFES Center, Laoag Ilocos Norte. Ms. Maria Teresa L. Bacnat, Provincial Agriculturist, discussed the success and the organizational structure of the INAFES, their programs were also highlighted as it shows and gives effect to the farmers in their province. Atty. Juan Alfonso Augustus I. Jose aka Pancho, INAFEC Director stressed that the success of the INAFES implementation was because of the full support from the Local Government to their Centre.
Mr. Aldrin Agbayani, a farmer from the onion cluster of INAFES shared his experience on how the INAFES program helped his farming production. The INAFES provided his needs in his farming by giving them fertilizers and also by sharing and teaching them other technical techniques on farming which is a big help in the production of their products. He added that the program helps them to increase their income, furthermore that the INAFES program helps them to produce their products despite the challenges that they encounter.
Also, Mr. Ernesto Pangona, a farmer leader from the garlic clusters also expressed his gratitude to the INAFES for giving them free seeds and also by supporting them by the government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. He added that, may the government continues to support them.
Meanwhile, the DA-RFO and ATI-RTC got all the proposals that have been submitted for them to evaluate and discuss if there are some revisions on the proposals submitted by the 6 provinces before the due date of the next process in accordance with the ways forwards presented by Ms. Louis June Fermin of BFAR-CAR. Finally, she concluded that “the gist of the visit to the INAFES Center is to know their strategy, and the used strategy is not new to all of us. We are already doing this like the farm and fisheries clustering and consolidation program towards greater inclusive business development. The Center said that the challenge they have encountered is funding and they overcome that through a proposal plan-so you have to know how to make a proposal. One also that leads to their success is dynamic leadership."
