Sen. Villar voices support for AFCs at Luzon-wide congress

Sen. Villar keynotes the Luzon-wide AFC Congress held at the One Vittoria Hotel, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. 

(Photo courtesy of DA-RFO 1)

Senator Cynthia Villar expressed strong support to the cause of the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as AFC members from Luzon convened on September 16 and 17, 2015 to tackle possible solutions for some of the pressing concerns that affect the agriculture and fisheries sector.

Sen. Villar, currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, reiterated that the farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders have her full support in dealing with the changes and challenges confronting them and the industry.

With the theme “AFCs: Sumasabay sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon”, the Luzon-wide AFC Congress commemorated the efforts of the AFCs to cope with the dynamic and evolving sectors of agriculture and fisheries through the years.

Held in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office of Region 1 (DA-RFO1) and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council headed by Chairperson Vincent Adorna, the congress also highlighted the AFCs’ contributions as DA’s integral partners in the development of sound and responsive agri-fishery policies and in ensuring the effective implementation of local programs and projects.

In her keynote speech, Sen. Villar encouraged AFC leaders to continue to be resilient and steadfast in their commitment to the development of the agriculture and fisheries sector in the country despite the challenges they face.

She also briefly discussed some priority legislation related to the sector which she passed and co-sponsored, namely, the Sugar Industry Development Act, Amended Fisheries Code, Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Farm Tourism Bill, Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2015, among others.

Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan also graced the event and underscored the contributions of the AFCs in policy-making for agriculture and fisheries in the countryside which include Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas and implementation of stricter regulations for meat importation, among others.

He also assured the AFC members that PCAF will continue strengthening its support mechanisms including the provision of quality, timely and cost-effective capability development activities and of technical leadership and guidance and administrative support to ensure the conduct of the AFCs’ regular meetings and activities.

PCAF Committee on Climate Change Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and DA-RFO 1 Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Paz Mones also talked about climate change and the Philippine Rural Development Project, respectively. Regional Fisheries Office Director Nestor Domenden also discussed the priority thrusts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for 2015-2016 and the agency’s existing interventions.

Sloping Areas and implementation of stricter regulations for meat importation, among others.

He also assured the AFC members that PCAF will continue strengthening its support mechanisms including the provision of quality, timely and cost-effective capability development activities and of technical leadership and guidance and administrative support to ensure the conduct of the AFCs’ regular meetings and activities.

PCAF Committee on Climate Change Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and DA-RFO 1 Regional Technical Director for Operations Dr. Paz Mones also talked about climate change and the Philippine Rural Development Project, respectively. Regional Fisheries Office Director Nestor Domenden also discussed the priority thrusts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for 2015-2016 and the agency’s existing interventions.

Members of the AFCs from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5, together with representatives from DA-RFO 1 and PCAF’s Partnership Development Division, convene at the Luzon-wide AFC Congress. (Photo courtesy of DA-RFO 1)

By the end of the congress, AFC chairpersons from the participating regions endorsed resolutions to address issues in their respective localities.

Among the issues tackled are on the practice of vermi composting and implementation of Solid Waste Management Program in Region 1, allowing Ivatan fishers to use small commercial fishing vessel to fish within the 2-kilometer radius in Batanes and provision of green super rice in Region 3 for farmers to be able to adapt to the effects of climate change.

RAFC 4A called for the creation of a Climate Change Committee in all levels of AFCs in the region while Occidental Mindoro PAFC requested for the extension of the country’s quantitative restriction on rice. Likewise, the Sorsogon PAFC urged the DA to strengthen bottom-up budgeting process through the AFCs.

A resolution requesting for the total ban on the usage and sale of chemicals with glyphosate component was also endorsed, as well as the provision of fuel subsidy for standing crops that will be affected by El Niño.