NSC members join PCAF teams in project monitoring in Bicol

Driven by its commitment to foster greater participation of the private sector in agri-fishery development, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) continues to make possible the involvement of the members of the National Sectoral Committees (NSCs) in the monitoring of local agri-fishery programs and projects.

NSC officers Raul Montemayor and Hazel Tanchuling visit the site of the Abuyog Small Water Impounding Project in Sorsogon City.

In line with this PCAF, representatives and NSC members jointly conducted monitoring activities in the Bicol region on August 24-30, 2015.

Held in cooperation with the Agricultural and Fishery Councils, Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices and local government units, the monitoring activities covered a total of 51 agricultural and fishery programs and projects in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon, most of which are programs and projects funded under the Bottom-Up Budgeting program of the government in 2014 and 2015.

PCAF-CFA Chairperson Arsenio Tanchuling visits a rain shelter project in Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

In a report submitted to PCAF for proper endorsement to the concerned agencies, NSC representatives tackled issues that affect the overall implementation of agri-fishery initiatives in the concerned sites and proposed measures to address them.

NSC members Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez, Aurora Regalado and Evangeline Palacio, together with a PCAF representative, conduct interviews about a crablet nursery project located in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

Some of the issues are on the dissemination of information, delineation of roles and functions of concerned parties, availability of funds, proper documentation, site selection, market access and compliance to standards, among others.

The joint PCAF and NSC monitoring teams also reported on their findings on the funding, completion and management of programs and projects related to various agri-fishery industries such as farm-to-market roads, flatbed dryers, diversion dams, irrigation facilities, small water impounding projects, fishery facilities, trading centers, food terminals, rice processing centers, rain shelters, seed banks, farm machinery and organic farming.

Towards food sufficiency

PCAF Committee on Livestock, Poultry and Feed Crops Chairperson Rufina Salas and PCAF-CFA member Marita Rodriguez during their field monitoring in Albay.

NSC representatives who took part in the said undertaking are PCAF Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (CFA) Chairperson Arsenio Tanchuling, PCAF-CFA members Evangeline Palacio and Marita Rodriguez, PCAF Committee on Food Staples (CFS) and Committee on International Trade Chairperson Raul Montemayor, CFS members Aurora Regalado, PCAF Committee on Livestock, Poultry and Feed Crops Chairperson Rufina Salas, PCAF Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Vice Chairperson Hazel Tanchuling and PCAF-CCC member Ernesto Ordoñez.

The NSCs are private sector-led consultative bodies which provide venue for government agencies, civil society organizations and other groups to discuss sector- or industry-specific issues and concerns.

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/nscBicol.php