tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70755409286054044192024-03-27T02:34:09.028-07:00Philippine Council for Agriculture and FisheriesPhilippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-9171497723532751132016-11-15T21:37:00.000-08:002016-11-15T21:37:14.840-08:00Luzon A moves to extend the rice QR<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Luzon A cluster moved to extend the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice for
another two years subject to the impending expiration of the waiver on the
special treatment on rice in 2017.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Key
rice industry players from the government, private sector, and other concerned
organizations formulated unified inputs that can help the government in coming
up with its position on the expiration of the waiver during the first leg of cluster-wide
consultation on rice QR on September 22, 2016 at Hotel Stotsenberg, Angeles
City, Pampanga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Representatives
from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices (DA RFOs), local
government units, rice farmer organizations, business sector (including
traders/millers, seed growers, and input suppliers), Regional and Provincial
Agriculture and Fishery Councils (RAFCs/ PAFCs), and civil society
organizations engaged in rice industry development participated in the said
event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cluster-wide consultation was undertaken by the DA through Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Policy Research Program (PRS) and National Rice Program to present the policy options that the government has on the expiration of the waiver on the special treatment on rice and to discuss the possible consequences that may arise from the government’s policy choices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:rect id="_x0000_s1027"
style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:-3.3pt;
margin-top:67.6pt;width:462.1pt;height:168.1pt;z-index:-1'/><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChN7x4z00bLVNJFfusnmKnGK0sl3SNyoGYL0kOrTli2kFhBSQidVI6sf-J7s1C_oqk4RFSlYtjScLhRLLno8WKjncCiMjy7CvNipoLWduHFAWSE5Wp_8Waok-HDZOPhiHC6k1x2hLj5M/s1600/qr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChN7x4z00bLVNJFfusnmKnGK0sl3SNyoGYL0kOrTli2kFhBSQidVI6sf-J7s1C_oqk4RFSlYtjScLhRLLno8WKjncCiMjy7CvNipoLWduHFAWSE5Wp_8Waok-HDZOPhiHC6k1x2hLj5M/s640/qr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Participants</i><i> listen
attentively as Mr. Marlito Cabuños of Policy Research Service presents the
government’s policy options </i>(Photos
courtesy of PDCD)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
first option is to secure another waiver while the second option is to tariffy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should
the government wished to take the first option, it will provide concessions in
exchange for another QR extension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“If
tariffication will be the chosen option, the tariffs that will be collected
from the imports should be earmarked to serve as additional funding support to
the programs of the government to help the rice farmers to increase their
competitiveness,” one of the panelists suggested during the open forum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According
to Cabuños, if tariffication will be selected, there are three more choices
that the government need to consider. First, tariffy based on the formula:
higher internal price, lower external price = high tariff equivalent; second, tariffication
plus upward adjustment of tariff equivalent; and third, tariffy plus negotiate
with ASEAN member states.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The discussions were also focused on how our country can
produce products with the same quality as the competitors but less expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the recommendations were increase rice yield by using
hybrid rice, reduce production cost especially labor by increasing
mechanization level, reduce marketing cost and margin, increase efficiency of
rice mills by increasing capacity utilization, reduce transport cost by
improving transport networks and reduce marketing layers to minimize margins by
having wholesale markets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
second leg of the cluster-wide consultation will be held on Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon
City on September 28, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-90210930747950928302016-11-07T00:22:00.001-08:002016-11-07T00:22:07.184-08:00Signed and sealed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LrcjD3GCUfPOtEg9TgU58fffVZ4a3TEfgVGZghsAcvPTurGZkVX7KpD0T5BaaRnn9PVq7P1RQMpsf1mTpisaMGcTjEtjqL4ObLVKruATnPJfe0luGjK7MWusQMY3Ys80Fl2RKdMs63I/s1600/Edited_CNA+Signing.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LrcjD3GCUfPOtEg9TgU58fffVZ4a3TEfgVGZghsAcvPTurGZkVX7KpD0T5BaaRnn9PVq7P1RQMpsf1mTpisaMGcTjEtjqL4ObLVKruATnPJfe0luGjK7MWusQMY3Ys80Fl2RKdMs63I/s1600/Edited_CNA+Signing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Signed and sealed. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Philippine Council for Agriculture and
Fisheries (PCAF) OIC Sarah Gutierrez-Cayona signed the Collective Negotiation
Agreement (CNA) during the PCAF Employees Association’s (PCAFEA) first
anniversary celebration on October 28, 2016. The CNA encapsulated collective
negotiations between PCAF and PCAFEA, the duly organized employee’s association
of the agency. Among the provisions
included in the agreement consist of the shared responsibility and account and
decision making on promotion and career advancement; acknowledgment of the
right of the association to check-off from the salaries of the employees or
members’ loan, union dues and other contributions; grievance machinery and
dispute resolution; employee’s benefits program; safety, health and work
environment; professional growth development; and CNA incentive, sources and
cost-cutting measures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Photo
shows PCAFEA President Benjamin Donor (3<sup>rd</sup> from left) shakes hand
with OIC Cayona (4<sup>th</sup> from right) during the CNA signing ceremony.
Also present in the event were PCAF OIC Deputy Executive Director Alexander
Daroya (back, 4<sup>th</sup> from left) with PCAF Operating Unit Chiefs, PCAF
Auditor Andrew Garcia (back, utmost left) and officers of PCAFEA. <i>###</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-23345530495292069552016-10-27T02:55:00.004-07:002016-10-27T02:57:23.407-07:00Luzon B requests for extension of rice QR<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVP9uXX9DJh9nKGTY32sQSqUiWrS1TLsiifFbsiT__ExGL-ZdBXZN535zUuvGD6qmm7i_bvqrGUhF84E8Lq0eInz7ykRcM81wEMW7a4dl3F2VnCynfGKVecXJGnbedqmHEDAdba66QcE/s1600/luzonB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVP9uXX9DJh9nKGTY32sQSqUiWrS1TLsiifFbsiT__ExGL-ZdBXZN535zUuvGD6qmm7i_bvqrGUhF84E8Lq0eInz7ykRcM81wEMW7a4dl3F2VnCynfGKVecXJGnbedqmHEDAdba66QcE/s640/luzonB.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Representatives from the concerned Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices (RFOs), LGUs, rice farmers’ organizations, traders/millers, seed growers, input suppliers, Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), National Sectoral Committees (NSCs), and civil society organizations during the panel discussion.</span></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Extend waiver on QR and no to NFA abolition.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;">
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the stand of vice chairperson of National Sectoral Committee - Committee on Food Staples Romeo Royandoyan during the second leg of the cluster-wide consultation on rice QR on September 28, 2016 at Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon City.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA), through Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), the series of cluster-wide consultations aimed to gather inputs from rice stakeholders all over the country to help the government on what policy option they may take in relation to the impending expiration of the waiver on the special treatment on rice in 2017.<br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first option is securing another waiver while the second option is to tariffy.</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to Marlito Cabuños of Policy Research Service (PRS), if the second option is chosen, there are three more choices to be considered. First, tariffy based on the formula of tariff equivalent; second,tariffication plus upward adjustment of the tariff equivalent; lastly, tariffy and negotiate with ASEAN member states.</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Kung ako po ay kagaya nung kay Sec. Piñol na bigyan ng 2 taon pa para patunayan na kaya nating makipag-compete. Ang pwede nating gawin ay gumamit ng mechanization to improve yield.<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PHILMECH ay nagtuturo kung paano gumamit ng rice transplanter,” a panelist from PHILMECH said.</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The undertaking also primarily aims to discuss the possible consequences that may arise from the government’s policy choices.</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“This is a critical event for us because as a developing country, we also need to counterbalance the advantages and disadvantages of the decision that we will pursue,” PCAF Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Sarah Gutierrez-Cayona said on her opening message.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
The discussions were also focused on different factors such as seeds, credit, irrigation, marketing, land conversion, crop insurance, funding, and subsidy on fertilizer.</div>
</span></span><div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preceding the Luzon B cluster consultation is the Luzon A-wide which was held in Angeles City, Pampanga on September 22, 2016. The Visayas consultation will be held on October 5, 2016 at Iloilo City.</span></div>
</span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-51183522858949529602016-10-23T23:17:00.000-07:002016-10-23T23:17:04.081-07:00PCAF joins World Food Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJeLAZ7iIJFR_qmn0tGEBb0qmx-ZqqEfZ21y_VMaMUY5UKj4_WBFQTyzSmTKNdH9GUmnfhDeHM1pcDWmPzHVx9cVE-qWkTI7rv-IyDcQOnOvo_vza6x7miUx4-FXAfenzALJnEJ9a3qU/s1600/wfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJeLAZ7iIJFR_qmn0tGEBb0qmx-ZqqEfZ21y_VMaMUY5UKj4_WBFQTyzSmTKNdH9GUmnfhDeHM1pcDWmPzHVx9cVE-qWkTI7rv-IyDcQOnOvo_vza6x7miUx4-FXAfenzALJnEJ9a3qU/s640/wfd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo shows PCAF
OIC Director Sarah Gutierrez- Cayona, together with PCAF staff as they take
part in the 2016 World Food Day Celebration. Second photo shows PCAF’s flag
bearer (3<sup>rd</sup> from right) lining up with other flag bearers of the bureaus
and agencies of the Department of Agriculture during the opening program. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Philippine Council for
Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) reiterated its commitment to eradicate hunger
and poverty worldwide as it joined the World Food Day (WFD) Culminating Program
in Liwasang Aurora in Quezon City on October 14, 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Led by PCAF OIC Director Sarah
Gutierrez-Cayona, almost 90 employees participated in the event with the theme
“Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too”, a global call to strengthen
climate action plans and invest in rural development to address the adverse
effects of climate change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Established by the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) member countries, WFD is observed annually
in more than 150 countries across the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also part of the
celebration was the awarding of Outstanding Rural Women and Young Artists for
the on-the-spot poster-making contest. Present in the awarding were Quezon City
Mayor Herbert Bautista, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for
Administration and Finance Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, other officials from DA, and
executives from the United Nations and FAO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PCAF and the entire family
of DA also joined the candle-lighting ceremony while reading the 2016 WFD
Pledge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">###</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-25471707532734233472016-10-11T22:43:00.000-07:002016-10-11T22:43:42.521-07:00Bridging Linkages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhImsohfZO7NArc2jzqYcRPjkoxh90UeyJ4Ju-8nye8UX59W-Ue35EhoinBS6vt-lVm0_3PYI-95eoVKKojscK8HzYjI9-NduvjwW8H2RZlfspQoEdfDKUAQlxL_-yycEaXFLZZfdlno/s1600/linkages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhImsohfZO7NArc2jzqYcRPjkoxh90UeyJ4Ju-8nye8UX59W-Ue35EhoinBS6vt-lVm0_3PYI-95eoVKKojscK8HzYjI9-NduvjwW8H2RZlfspQoEdfDKUAQlxL_-yycEaXFLZZfdlno/s1600/linkages.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bridging Linkages.</b> Along with more than 400 exhibitors from the agriculture and fisheries sector, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) joined anew in the 2016 AgriLink/FoodLink/AquaLink on October 6 to 8, 2016 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The three-day event gathered more than 25 thousand visitors and focused on the resiliency of agriculture sector, especially in agribusiness and livestock production of the newly formed Negros Island Region.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The exhibit provided an opportunity for PCAF to showcase its mandate where it establishes a nationwide network of agricultural and fishery councils to serve as the forum for consultative and continuing discussions with the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Photo 1 shows AgriLink’s Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development president and PCAF’s National Sectoral Committees and Strategic Concerns Committees member Antonio Roces (left) explains to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (2nd left) the importance of PCAF in ensuring the success of DA’s programs and projects. Also, photo 2 shows a PCAF employee talks to a group of farmer-entrepreneurs from Batangas City about PCAF and its Advisory Special Bodies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/linkages.html">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/linkages.html</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-28925679233410488302016-09-15T23:17:00.002-07:002016-09-22T23:33:50.195-07:00PCAF joined the 18th National Tuna Congress exhibit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YyaexgL4Ra-nEJ4dEiou9ha4sc_ZE5uiyXnFb3c7_rsfPd-p-dQkOB3YvKySVbhB0Zk_oRLvzbExz7LZK3aK1cLE-4FZvJqQxnC-g9VrSlaw5yw1ExT1Zk9XnSg-rDULZtzne5M-Ey0/s1600/exhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YyaexgL4Ra-nEJ4dEiou9ha4sc_ZE5uiyXnFb3c7_rsfPd-p-dQkOB3YvKySVbhB0Zk_oRLvzbExz7LZK3aK1cLE-4FZvJqQxnC-g9VrSlaw5yw1ExT1Zk9XnSg-rDULZtzne5M-Ey0/s640/exhibit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; line-height: 19.992px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; line-height: 19.992px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To strengthen partnerships and linkages with the stakeholders, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) supported the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) through its participation in the 18th National Tuna Congress Trade Exhibit on August 31 to September 2, 2016 at the SM Trade Halls in General Santos City. SFFAII is an active member of National Sectoral Committee - Committee on Fishery and Aquaculture (NSC - CFA) since 2005. The PCAF exhibit highlighted the NSC - CFA and its 2015 achievements through resolutions which organized and strengthened the fishery and aquaculture industry. For the three-day exhibit, more than 70 guests visited the booth and composed of students from Mindanao State University – College of Fisheries, local government units of General Santos, DA Regional bureaus and attached agencies, private sectors and academicians from neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Thailand. Organized by SFFAII, this year’s exhibit with the theme “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up for the Future” provided a venue and allowed more time to almost 80 local and international exhibitors featuring their several product lines and services of tuna and allied industries. Photo shows (1) a part of the PCAF exhibit area, (2) General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, SFFAII President and Congress Chairperson Joaquin Lu, and DTI Region 12 Director Ibrahim Guimadel cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the trade exhibit and (3) PCAF staff orienting their guests about the agency and its consultative bodies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.992px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; line-height: 19.992px;">Source: </span><span style="line-height: 19.992px;">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/tuna.html</span></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-74565694891270534332016-08-30T00:04:00.000-07:002016-08-30T00:04:12.043-07:00NSC- CIT appeals for Ambassador Conejos’ retention<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For continuity in handling the forthcoming discussions on the Philippine’s rice quantitative restriction (QR) in World Trade Organization (WTO), National Sectoral Committee – Committee on International Trade (NSC-CIT) members appealed for Ambassador Esteban Conejos, Jr.’s retention as the permanent representative of the Philippines to the WTO.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amb. Conejos was appointed as the permanent representative of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the WTO by the former President Benigno S. Aquino III on July 2012 and has been reappointed two years further after his first term expires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the new administration comes, Amb. Conejos has been recalled to the Philippines from its base in Geneva, Switzerland effective June 30, 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recall of Amb. Conejos crippled the operations of the Philippine Mission to the WTO in Geneva because of the absence of our country’s representative in significant meetings and negotiations with other parties particularly to the rice QR.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">QR is a trade restriction placed on the amount of goods that can be imported into a country and this protects the price of domestically produced goods or to decrease or eliminate a trade deficit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Philippines has secured a waiver on its WTO obligation to tariffy rice in 2014. Currently, it was allowed to retain the rice QR until June 30, 2017.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To address the issue of country’s rice QR and absence of representative to WTO, series of meetings have been conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) - CIT.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WftukdVIVEeQEhHfaj57mg1wtL0ckXXp2O_jsbcDQCvabsypQrFfeebMG-SCJdfmRwn793OWDHy1m0rKKO-uSE2evJLsmGZoLqtth2fB1PoGkcN6Gcw0j9R-wNsJjDWUdzIg9domBRI/s1600/ambassador1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WftukdVIVEeQEhHfaj57mg1wtL0ckXXp2O_jsbcDQCvabsypQrFfeebMG-SCJdfmRwn793OWDHy1m0rKKO-uSE2evJLsmGZoLqtth2fB1PoGkcN6Gcw0j9R-wNsJjDWUdzIg9domBRI/s400/ambassador1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;">Ambassador Esteban Conejos, Jr. tackles the matter on the country’s rice QR in one of the meetings of NSC – CIT at PCAF Conference Room in Quezon City. In photo, from left, Former DA – Chief of Staff Atty. Dennis Guerrero and NSC-CIT Chairperson Raul Montemayor.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from Amb. Conejos, present in the meetings were Charge d’ Affaires to the WTO, Geneva, Switzerland Consul Ryan Gener; Philippine Agricultural Attaché to Geneva, Switzerland Jerome Bunyi; Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano; former DA Chief of Staff Atty. Dennis Guerrero; NSC-CIT Chairperson Raul Montemayor; PCAF employees; members of the CIT and chairpersons of each NSCs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After thorough discussions, the CIT members passed a resolution requesting the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to endorse to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. and President Rodrigo Duterte to retain Amb. Conejos as the country’s permanent representative to the WTO.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the resolution signed by NSC-CIT chairperson Raul Montemayor, Amb. Conejos is in the best position to handle the upcoming discussions on the rice QR because he has been consistently involved in various activities in the WTO and proficiently developed effective working relationships with WTO member.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Philippine Mission, headed by Amb. Conejos, is already doing the groundwork for the negotiations involving either the lifting of the QR by 2017 or extension of the waiver,” the CIT members added in the resolution.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also stated that it may take a while before a new ambassador can be appointed to the WTO and it would even take more time for the newly appointed ambassador to understand the complexity of the issues being discussed in the WTO.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Source: h<a href="ttp://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/ambassador.html">ttp://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/ambassador.html</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-4724994303822182132016-08-30T00:00:00.002-07:002016-08-30T00:04:47.937-07:00NAF Council endorses DA’s proposed 2017 budget<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4637YPyfa8Pw4P7SZCg96dJHvMTtt_Ou4WujfRbpyKSmPp7VchBIlHZ8eqWt47K2DDeVqGVrrsfwAaRzjETyx1FIjaVEnJKN7MkJARJHU3eNLcfczBMOn8GQ1AKCnpd5uaq_7uyx57s0/s1600/endorses-da-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4637YPyfa8Pw4P7SZCg96dJHvMTtt_Ou4WujfRbpyKSmPp7VchBIlHZ8eqWt47K2DDeVqGVrrsfwAaRzjETyx1FIjaVEnJKN7MkJARJHU3eNLcfczBMOn8GQ1AKCnpd5uaq_7uyx57s0/s640/endorses-da-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;">Representatives from different concerned government agencies and private sector assemble to discuss </span><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.992px;">the 2017 DA’s proposed budget towards to a more competitive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After comprehensive discussions at the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAF Council) meeting on the finalization of DA’s Plan and Budget proposal on April 19, 2016, the council unanimously agreed to endorse the proposed Php83.67B budget of Department of Agriculture (DA) for fiscal year 2017.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The meeting, presided by Usec. Segfredo Serrano on behalf of DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, was attended by the members from National Sectoral Committees (NSC), Agricultural Fishery Councils (AFCs), civil society organizations, non-government organizations, national government agencies, and farmers and fisherfolk groups.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The NAF Council promotes consensus on and support for national agency and LGU budgets to finance programs and projects for agricultural and fisheries modernization.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The meeting, held at DA/NAFC/LDC Conference Room in Quezon City, was undertaken primarily to finalize the proposal of the agriculture department for 2017’s more productive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Director Carlos Magnaye of DA Planning and Monitoring Service presented the proposal to the members for their feedback and recommendations for its favorable outcome.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The proposed budget, which will be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), is 55.01% higher than the 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part of the DA’s thrusts and priorities for 2017 include increasing investments in rural infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads (FMR), bridges, irrigation and postharvest facilities.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Php19.2B budget will be allocated to FMR which is Php11.8B or 160.23% higher than the allotted for this year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To establish a modern, climate-resilient, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector, DA is also increasing its funds for Philippine Rural Development Program to P9.6B.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The department is also looking to increase the budget for rice program to Php9B in anticipation of the possibility of trade liberalization. The proposed budget for livestock is Php2.5B, Php2.8B for corn, Php3.7B for high value crops, Php6.1B for fisheries and Php852 thousand for organic agriculture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2017 DA target includes the provision of technical support and improved regulatory services to Food Safety Act of 2013, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and management, and enhanced access to agricultural insurance, guarantee and credit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the meeting, some issues and concerns were raised by the members of the NAF Council.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The members stated that there is a need to examine previous projects/plans/policies (drawbacks and gains) as basis for determining future plans and programs for a more effective use of resources. Also, in relation to trade, there is a need to identify policy reforms for agriculture and fisheries, particularly on how the DA measures success.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Committee on Climate Change recommended that the budget of the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) for 2017 be restored to its original level as proposed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Committee on Food Staples and International Trade chairperson, Raul Montemayor reiterated that, “the DA must introduce programs, approaches and innovations for a more effective use of resources for 2017. Likewise, necessary steps should be undertaken in the preparation for rice liberalization or removal of the quantitative restrictions (QR) for rice in 2017.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from rice QR, some matters were also brought up namely: labor displacement due to mechanization, identification of suitable areas for planting rice; irrigation subsidy for rice farmers; promoting of sorghum as alternative sources of animal feed; establishment of service centers; and harmonization of roadmaps.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These concerns were ably noted by PCAF as the NAF Council’s secretariat, to be forwarded to the concerned DA offices and agencies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/proposedbudget.html">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/proposedbudget.html</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-68744486678325803922016-08-16T01:16:00.001-07:002016-08-16T01:16:48.204-07:00RAFC 6 Sectoral Committees identify clear-cut issues and concerns<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbog2_dUZpH9214p2i2c_6WR5J8Sf9WTBx5tuMlWsmTckLhrv4eaYu9aew3sWOlJsqFFDsPDoDL4qfqMZqfZxcY4ltyakliws7oxe-TXUZ83LhJJuX0Z052W7TAjT-OkzJmDg_rMxoxU/s1600/rafc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbog2_dUZpH9214p2i2c_6WR5J8Sf9WTBx5tuMlWsmTckLhrv4eaYu9aew3sWOlJsqFFDsPDoDL4qfqMZqfZxcY4ltyakliws7oxe-TXUZ83LhJJuX0Z052W7TAjT-OkzJmDg_rMxoxU/s1600/rafc6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">One of the groups of chairpersons and members of RAFC and PAFC Region 6 Sectoral Committee roll out thier agenda for the Sectoral Consultation-Workshop.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 30 Regional and Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAF and PAFC) sectoral committee chairpersons and members gathered at the RAFC Sectoral Consulatation-Workshop of Region 6 on May 12 to 13, 2016 at the Nature Trails in Sibunag, Guimaras.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two-day workshop was intended to identify the sectoral policy issues and concerns challenging the implementers and stakeholders in Region 6.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To provide more focus on specifi commodities, the AFC sectoral members were divided into four groups based on their areas of concerns. These include Food Staples and Climate Change; Poultry and Livestock/Rural Women; Commercial Crops/Organic Agriculture; and Mechanization / Fisheries and Aquaculture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the sectoral representatives of the AFC, the participants embody the sectoral committees in their respective regions and provinces. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the sectoral representatives of the AFC, the participants embody the sectoral committees in their respective regions and provinces. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries - Policy Development and Coordination Division (PCAF-PDCD) Chief Julieta Opulencia upadated the AFC members on the NAF Council and National Sectoral and Strategic Concerns Committees' (NSCs) policy recommendations and resolutions adopted and endorsed for the first Quarter of 2016. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from this, Opulencia also discussed the proper identification of priority policy agenda at the AFC level during the workshop.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Policy agenda refers to the issues, lists of subjects or problems of a specific policy domain, which are agri and fishery related, that will be discussed in a NSC or AFC meeting.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The AFC of Region 6 can use NSCs' identified priority policy agenda as reference in setting the council's agenda for the meetings. They can also identify current and emerging issues at the local level which can be resolved either through a project or policy agenda," the PDCD Chief added.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the resolution, the issues and concerns which require the crafting or updating of a policy, the council has to recommend through a policy resolution in order to address the gaps that hamper the growth and development of the respective sectors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the workshop that ensued, one of the issues and concerns emphasized was insufficient number of technical personnel and expertise in the Local Government Units (LGUs) to oversee a smooth and expeditious implementation of programs and projects related to mechanization to complement with the concerned agencies. The group recommended the creation of Agricultural Engineering Division at the LGUs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The need to have good quality planting materials of high value crops like coffe and cacao, and lack of testing laboratories for water, soil, organic fertilizer and pesticide residue were also identified. One of the committees moved for the adoption of a resolution to fast track the accreditation of Alaguisoc Farmers and Producers Association, Inc., as a source of quality planting materials. They have also recommended requesting DA to provide tissue culture laboratories in Region 6.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The workshop outputs will be presented in a RAFC meeting for further discussion and finalization . After the meeting, appropriate policy recommendations on resolutions can be adopted for endorsement to concerned agencies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sectoral meeting coincided with the Farmer's and Fisherfolk's Day celebrated during the 23rd Manggahan Festival of the Province of Guimaras.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/rafc6.html">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/rafc6.html</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-73164378660443727712016-08-08T02:01:00.002-07:002016-08-08T02:01:20.147-07:00NSC, AFC, and PCAF thank Sec. Alcala for six-year Outstanding support<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1KFk4qpUxwFZpfnDlrAo8rR6WrXWBBWUI0lZo0uHchs8y-n85aQdLsshNyIyPX3qaO-YsHkaUK4sgmXPOnKE8qhz2cr_QBgCBzDYoo5D2WQBdW7MYcX0ukrg8yI3v96ScuZWjYai4rc/s1600/outstandingSupport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1KFk4qpUxwFZpfnDlrAo8rR6WrXWBBWUI0lZo0uHchs8y-n85aQdLsshNyIyPX3qaO-YsHkaUK4sgmXPOnKE8qhz2cr_QBgCBzDYoo5D2WQBdW7MYcX0ukrg8yI3v96ScuZWjYai4rc/s640/outstandingSupport.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sec. Alcala receives a plaque of appreciation from the PCAF Executive Director Engr. Ariel T. Cayanan. With them is Atty. Christian Monsod of NSC-Committee on Climate Change.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the joint meeting of the National Sectoral Committees (NSC) officers and Regional Agricultural Fishery Councils (RAFC) chairpersons on June 06, 2016, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala was given a commendation for his invaluable support and recognition for participatory governance in the DA development processes at the Apacible Hall, DA Compound, in Quezon City.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 50 NSC members, RAFC chairpersons and PCAF employees gathered to acknowledge Sec. Alcala’s outstanding support to the initiatives and policy recommendations of PCAF’s consultative bodies in six years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atty. Christian Monsod, NSC on Climate Change chairperson, who led the meeting with PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan, gave every member and chairperson the opportunity to speak and give their notable experiences with the secretary’s leadership.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We are very happy with the “Proceso” and with the results because you have been very supportive of these councils,” Atty. Monsod said. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the approval of Farm Mechanization during Sec. Alcala’s term, it became easier in Isabela, Cagayan Valley in harvesting their crops according to the Region 2 AFC chairperson, Mr. Isidro Acosta Sr.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PCAF’s partners also commended Sec. Alcala who fought for a higher Department of Agriculture budget during his term.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yun pong budget na ibinigay ni Pangulong Noynoy for the past 6 years, (kapag) ikinumpara po namin sa budget ng buong kagawaran buhat (noong) 1975 hanggang 2010, lamang pa po ang (ibinigay) ni PNoy na budget (nang halos) 45 bilyong piso,” Sec. Alcala said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to an article by Pia Ronda of Rappler, the budget of Agriculture Department during the Aquino administration was approximately PhP67.8 billion a year, a total of PhP339 billion from 2011 to 2015. This is PhP28.1 billion higher compared to the 2009 DA budget of the Arroyo administration according to ABS-CBN News Online. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sec. Alcala also praised PCAF for its significant contribution and efforts to meet the needs of the Filipino farmers and fisherfolks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Ang pinakamalaking ambag po ng PCAF sa Department of Agriculture… ay hindi lang po (pagiging) watchdog, ‘kundi talagang totoong nagbibigay (ng) guidelines and guidance sa mga programang kailangan para itaas ang antas ng pangangailangan ng bawat komunidad.” Secretary added.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sec. Alcala, whose term ended on June 30, 2016, further thanked the NSCs and AFCs for their support and cooperation during his six-year term and wished the next administration to have a genuine love with farmers and fisherfolks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/outstanding.html">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/outstanding.html</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-27156539082143414212016-08-01T01:04:00.001-07:002016-08-03T17:46:52.302-07:00PCAF builds Strategic Framework for Medium Term AFMP<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldeRhg1JK7wPERZNZmzeTVuGNMKIwp6qXR1i_-y2TEfjuuZlsqzLG8HCJvQRId-WS6qJ5oesx-glSXqDFy6kQd3Up1oQCwsBJp8wBbe1PCFtWZ8iCHCRgrR0ePZH5CKCR0uyEIeC5va8/s1600/framework.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldeRhg1JK7wPERZNZmzeTVuGNMKIwp6qXR1i_-y2TEfjuuZlsqzLG8HCJvQRId-WS6qJ5oesx-glSXqDFy6kQd3Up1oQCwsBJp8wBbe1PCFtWZ8iCHCRgrR0ePZH5CKCR0uyEIeC5va8/s640/framework.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan shares a light moment with RAFC Region 10 Chairperson Edgardo Layug; RAFC Region 5 Chairperson Jose Cordero, Jr.; NSC Committee on Commercial Crops Head David Santos, and RAFC Region 1 Chairperson Vincent Adorna, during his opening remarks.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> In today’s challenging agriculture and fishery industry, strategic planning is everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“This strengthens the team by defining a clearer focus and direction of an agency,” Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries- Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division (PCAF-PMKMD) Chief Estrella Tulay shared on the first day of the agency’s Strategic Planning Workshop for 2017-2022 in View Park Hotel in Tagaytay City.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">More than 30 selected employees from PCAF’s four Operating Units (OUs) participated in the workshop on July 11 to 15, 2016 to draw up a strategy framework.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">P<span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;">CAF’s OUs, which are led by the office of Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, are composed of Administrative, Financial and Management Division (AFMD), PMKMD, Policy Development and Coordination Division (PDCD), and Partnership Development Division (PDD).</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50nuDvH7lkSRcjy8dbqKXyoe4_BST5TFDV0IV0HWu43U3vaYL-PUV1ZGbEUkM1cEkunIdtphSkoGNyGlFqpAHdUDUckcxbDhfYZFbgNyH8StkPSM5SHJvY4VAlp3hrrjM9AjRJEgZMSw/s1600/afmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50nuDvH7lkSRcjy8dbqKXyoe4_BST5TFDV0IV0HWu43U3vaYL-PUV1ZGbEUkM1cEkunIdtphSkoGNyGlFqpAHdUDUckcxbDhfYZFbgNyH8StkPSM5SHJvY4VAlp3hrrjM9AjRJEgZMSw/s400/afmp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.992px;">PMKMD Chief Estrella Tulay explains the importance of Strategic Planning in one organization like PCAF</span><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 19.992px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PCAF’s strategic framework will be the agency’s guide for the formulation of its Strategic Plan and the crafting of its Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) for the next 6 years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">During the five-day workshop, PCAF employees revisited the agency’s mission, vision and strategic objectives. Each division carefully reviewed and settled issues relative to the functions of other OUs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Angelo Ramon Tanchoco, Development Academy of the Philippines consultant and team leader of the evaluative study on PCAF’s consultative bodies presented the result, findings and recommendations of the study titled “Participatory Governance in Agriculture and Fisheries Development: An Evaluative Study on PCAF’s Consultative Bodies (CBs)”. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Based on the study, Tanchoco and his team recommended the strengthening of Sectoral Committees at all levels as the main consultative agent. It also proposed to redefine Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as inter-sectoral and private-government coordinating body.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the other hand, international consultant-trainer Carmen “Mench” Auste helped PCAF employees to attain clearer perspective in the reevaluation and identification of PCAF’s strengths, setbacks and best practices.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1kCbgH29GKTe0V0UlI7FYeZw_ic0bT_uzgfITh09PzGQqm1AnwisnMXaDFBdKqoqNJgEenTOEwRANvCEtLUiV366UYFVMq1o6ZOYsRgkzKwthpUzy-H7_oZTec9RVFy0NG2Xn8WR0kM/s1600/PCAF_Strat+Plan_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1kCbgH29GKTe0V0UlI7FYeZw_ic0bT_uzgfITh09PzGQqm1AnwisnMXaDFBdKqoqNJgEenTOEwRANvCEtLUiV366UYFVMq1o6ZOYsRgkzKwthpUzy-H7_oZTec9RVFy0NG2Xn8WR0kM/s400/PCAF_Strat+Plan_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">PCAF employees actively participate in various activities pursued to elicit feedback and actions toward the crafting of strategic framework.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As part of the workshop, the participants recalled and highlighted the agency’s accomplishments for the past years. Auste prepared questions for each team to answer and presented it in a creative way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the activities, strategic planning concepts and principles were also discussed. The outputs of the discussion were considered in the crafting of the agency’s midterm plan. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Auste organized activities like Strategic Café where participants expressed their opinions and ideas about PCAF’s functions. Some of the significant outputs were competency building for the existing staff and hiring of proficient people that matches PCAF’s job requirements; the issuance of Executive Order or Administrative Order to include AFCs in the Department of Agriculture (DA) key processes and budget support, and set-up of information system and knowledge database.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Other suggestions encompassed scaling up effective PCAF programs, projects and initiatives like increase the numbers of Municipal AFCs; monitor emerging concerns; establish NAF Council café, and creation of regional PCAF offices as well as Agriculture and Fishery Mechanization Committee division in PCAF.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The findings of each activity identified the gaps, inadequacies and accomplishments of the 3-year-old agency that became the basis of the strategic directions of PCAF.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Among the issues that were discussed during the review of OU functions were the interlocks between and among sections and divisions. Several interlocking functions were identified and clarified but some needs further merging and delineation in the processes of each OU’s tasks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIebd6_I9P9XNQDIxi470On9vBOu20aNymlmYexSQW6iSrsYQ70IBfafZIXSzuuvaAhYvgY3mAfUFnRozdV7HGq8ac-I0EcYOBArxwyjNwk8KFj08zrQ0Fh4kS_n8Sh8p8iLIuPNQixKQ/s1600/afmp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIebd6_I9P9XNQDIxi470On9vBOu20aNymlmYexSQW6iSrsYQ70IBfafZIXSzuuvaAhYvgY3mAfUFnRozdV7HGq8ac-I0EcYOBArxwyjNwk8KFj08zrQ0Fh4kS_n8Sh8p8iLIuPNQixKQ/s400/afmp3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">“Interlocks are not overlap. They are all of strategic value. The purpose of interlock is when the task is complex, it is expected that you will have each other to help out. Let us go out from the old frame na pag ibang division, ibang section lang ang gagawa, sila lang dapat ang gumawa. They are supposed to lighten our load,” Auste explained the importance of interlocks.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Framework of 2017-2022 Strategic Plan</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
According to Clearpath, a US-based consulting firm, Strategic Framework is a comprehensive picture of the organization’s strategy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the workshop, PCAF employees clarify how individual efforts, divisions and CBs’ projects, activities and programs can be connected to achieve the best outcome. The team magnified the gaps and setbacks in the workshop to see a clearer picture of PCAF. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Among the gaps and setbacks highlighted were: employee competency building and involvement of information officers and planning officers during consultations at the local level.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The participants saw the need to enhance the awareness of all the CBs about PCAF, its structure, roles and functions.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With the help of Auste, the participants identified and aligned the Outcomes, Strategic Initiatives (SI) and Milestones of PCAF. This resulted into Strategic Framework which will be the guide of PCAF to create the 6-year Strategic Plan.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgX_uxJP1VBtMcBO3ZPo_oLctCyMqzxTPt1PcWK8ifc-5CehifSYJrA9lP9aGJ9tjPYw3Tmc3i7AUl5v6bFBY2HMsED2kM8oLsiW9rLPpvov-kgZMtfA6a6keZPbKCjaEcEfW_9qtYDE/s1600/afmp6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgX_uxJP1VBtMcBO3ZPo_oLctCyMqzxTPt1PcWK8ifc-5CehifSYJrA9lP9aGJ9tjPYw3Tmc3i7AUl5v6bFBY2HMsED2kM8oLsiW9rLPpvov-kgZMtfA6a6keZPbKCjaEcEfW_9qtYDE/s400/afmp6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;">Auste gives instructions to PCAF employees on how to come up with Outcomes, SI and Milestones.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Auste described Outcome as the result of an activity in process, the change or difference in an organization. These could be achieved through learning, action or condition.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While SI are general plans for the entire 6 years which can be attained through Milestones by creating step by step programs, activities and projects.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The initial outputs of the strategic framework are based on the Outcomes per divisions. PDCD have written “responsive and sound policies for agriculture and fisheries development” as their Outcome.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PDD laid out their Outcomes as broad-based and active participation of stakeholders in CBs; dynamic, responsive and sustainable CBs; maximized support and enhanced synergies with key stakeholders; and sound and responsive policies for agriculture and fishery development.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
While PMKMD set in context the improved synergies synchronization and coordination of activities, and enhancement of good governance in PCAF and its CBs” as some of their Outcomes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As part of AFMD Outcomes, they have identified as prudence and judicious use of resources, and high quality and responsive AFM support services.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The final strategic framework which will include the measures, responsibility centers and coordination activities of other OUs will be submitted to PMKMD- PPS on the 1st week of August.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The said section will review and consolidate the submitted framework. Upon consolidation, the final output will be presented to PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan and to the Division Chiefs.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Source:<b> <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/framework.html">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/framework.html</a></b></div>
</span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-30846543924164230862016-05-19T00:07:00.005-07:002016-05-19T00:09:38.565-07:00PCAF conducts 1st G-BEST for employees<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRsGZfEdUH7qDzQq9RNCAoXQRcyIaovUFcKosU00haioIEgf16KK3i_9V6jFDN2xyxpu-7sEMzzVZ1_nSQVz8JTeC98t2MM4yVwFp_57e05P0bUN0L0WlWs9d19uD_Rtv2b7SNF0s8jc/s1600/Gbest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRsGZfEdUH7qDzQq9RNCAoXQRcyIaovUFcKosU00haioIEgf16KK3i_9V6jFDN2xyxpu-7sEMzzVZ1_nSQVz8JTeC98t2MM4yVwFp_57e05P0bUN0L0WlWs9d19uD_Rtv2b7SNF0s8jc/s1600/Gbest.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr. Leo Gallego speaks about Commodification of Women to the second batch of PCAF employees for the Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Training (G-BEST).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Development could only be sustainable if all members of the society are part of the change that involves man, woman and LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex) groups.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr. Leo Gallego, gender focal person stressed this to almost a hundred regular employees of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) during its first-ever Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Training (G-BEST).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The staff were divided into two batches and were scheduled on April 25 to 26 and April 28 to 29 at the Function Hall of the Rural Development Education Center at the Agricultural Training Institute in Quezon City.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PCAF set the training to enhance the cognitive and action learning on gender-based effective skills among its regular employees.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“The equal opportunities between men and women are necessary to create a harmonious environment not only at home but also in work place. This training will bring us closer to the attainment of an equal opportunity for women and men to contribute to national development,” PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzgdjRgJ1SBXHy3xg5OOfrBUy3EmQ38XJ_ucVcIY0a3jodoO4skhOz0V0MGGXxenbVSO1eycmSiVS-W9w8idfTLsIYUTeLsKawKY037SvsjzdjLaQvVdvDj1JNeocwblXoctDNkfXO7M/s1600/g-best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzgdjRgJ1SBXHy3xg5OOfrBUy3EmQ38XJ_ucVcIY0a3jodoO4skhOz0V0MGGXxenbVSO1eycmSiVS-W9w8idfTLsIYUTeLsKawKY037SvsjzdjLaQvVdvDj1JNeocwblXoctDNkfXO7M/s1600/g-best.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The training was designed to create a scope of 20% theory and 80% practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Theoretical inputs and practical application through structured learning exercises like group discussions, role plays, workshops and creative sessions were carried out in the training.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“PCAF employees were provided concept of Gender and Development for them to mainstream gender in their activities, like providing assistance to farmers,” Dr. Gallego added.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He also mentioned that the training defines that man and woman had specific roles to live, out at home, office, community for a continuous development in correlation to the changing times that was brought by modern technology and inventions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recognizing these components, PCAF through G-BEST translated the government’s pledge of commitment to the Republic Act 1710 or Magna Carta for Women that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting the right of the Filipino women.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/G-best.php">http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/G-best.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-36643043858420509052016-05-03T20:50:00.000-07:002016-05-03T23:17:13.370-07:00Coffee Farmers Voice out Challenges at National Coffee Summit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q6KwWpzJNHGtL3Y799kd0Xt8ZiwAWdl0DHKvc-mTHusv2HnP5iWRwqX5zLaKgU0Hr62qTxrfm2crSrFFkRkq6LyMMajGDZsOg-EDxIZBjqnLwrMHJiIezfom2GwbcQmrJrL_PGCTIX0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q6KwWpzJNHGtL3Y799kd0Xt8ZiwAWdl0DHKvc-mTHusv2HnP5iWRwqX5zLaKgU0Hr62qTxrfm2crSrFFkRkq6LyMMajGDZsOg-EDxIZBjqnLwrMHJiIezfom2GwbcQmrJrL_PGCTIX0/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr. Andrea Inocencio of DA-BPI answers interesting questions from the coffee producers about coffee plant nursery accreditation during the open forum of the National Coffee Summit. Listening to her are PCAF-NSC—Committee on Commercial Crops Chairperson David Santos, DA-BAFS Lara Navarro, DA-BPI-HVCDP Evelyn Tan and the summit participants.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The National Coffee Summit has paved the way to discuss the most pressing concerns of coffee farmers, traders and other stakeholders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two-day event, organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) together with its Coffee Industry Development Sub-Committee, gathered about 200 participants on April 14 to 15, 2016 at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Compound in Diliman, Quezon City.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The coffee-concerned parties raised uncertainties on financial assistance, transportation costs, lack of interest to use available land for coffee farming and other topics related to farming, postharvest, marketing, agribusiness, policy, regulations, and research development and extension.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Coffee Industry, Industriya ng Kape sa Pilipinas: Palakasin at Pag-ibayuhin”, PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan encouraged private sectors, farmers and concerned government agencies to protect the coffee industry by participating in the sessions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI7tEzUUA09uEycnXi5SQ08OmrK_ta5Fzt0BID2yDfVjGtNu6qjcyTHyAzfGmT-mdFBboW5tEXnbQ0NiO-2QTOVde3SL9o2oz58dgqfJOY9ULjvNSOzcNtIwbrb2412sy5v7r84U0Dao/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI7tEzUUA09uEycnXi5SQ08OmrK_ta5Fzt0BID2yDfVjGtNu6qjcyTHyAzfGmT-mdFBboW5tEXnbQ0NiO-2QTOVde3SL9o2oz58dgqfJOY9ULjvNSOzcNtIwbrb2412sy5v7r84U0Dao/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Today’s summit encourages us to identify the current situation and gaps that hinder the progress of the industry. Let us all make coffee farmers and key players aware of the available programs and projects not only by the government as well as the private sector,” Dir. Cayanan said.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Where are we now?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before the six plenary workshop sessions started, Danilo Dannug of DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- High Value Crops Development Program (DA-BPI-HVCDP) set the discussion by presenting the Philippine coffee industry situation while Dir. Myrna Pablo of the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Autonomous Region (DTI-CAR) discussed the marketing opportunities on coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X81fAj_QuqdBgdWzZDbDZSKUlLlJBtCsMvAYTSep9oK10X-q3v26gRK-kpz7uagn7nT1bCgmGRZ-wPnPyfiwODIAhFYs2FeqF0kBN8shz_sGbOFwfqnKW6o8rSh8OOZmuXhYPO2LIh4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X81fAj_QuqdBgdWzZDbDZSKUlLlJBtCsMvAYTSep9oK10X-q3v26gRK-kpz7uagn7nT1bCgmGRZ-wPnPyfiwODIAhFYs2FeqF0kBN8shz_sGbOFwfqnKW6o8rSh8OOZmuXhYPO2LIh4/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DTI-CAR Dir. Myrna Pablo and Danilo Dannug of DA-BPI-HVCDP pay attention to the questions about market opportunities on coffee and the Philippine coffee situation right after their respective presentations.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“In the Philippines, coffee farming is dominated by small farmers with an average farm size of one to two hectares,” said Dannug in his presentation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We know that there is a decline in the coffee production by 4.04% in 2014 which totaled to 75,454 metric tons of dried berries. This was attributed to rampant cutting and pruning of old trees. But we know that there are replacements being done and HVCDP is crafting the conservation plan,” Dannug added.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Dannug, a Joint Administrative Circular (JAC) on the National Conservation Plan for Fruit-bearing Trees and Plantation Crops is being crafted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government, and DA. The JAC states that cutting of trees will be prohibited unless the said action passes the necessary protocols set by the authorities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, DTI-CAR Dir. Pablo cited the importance of the coffee industry value chain map. Dubbed as “From Seed to Cup”, she explained the significance of value chain which starts from coffee nursery down to consumption.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a message, the department’s Chief of Staff and Usec. Dennis Guerrero reminded everyone that coffee is one of the Philippine’s champion crops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNElykc8aIdBZHLsUlekCN-s7JDNh_a4yZEt7EtccOWltYOjwbCVLGLVJkeXLn00fH-SYohEO79QNBjY-RGc_zlqJgzBdv6b24a9tdivTLmRRPfhiqt6o8HQ-ZFkDpOCzpws0AaW07lXU/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNElykc8aIdBZHLsUlekCN-s7JDNh_a4yZEt7EtccOWltYOjwbCVLGLVJkeXLn00fH-SYohEO79QNBjY-RGc_zlqJgzBdv6b24a9tdivTLmRRPfhiqt6o8HQ-ZFkDpOCzpws0AaW07lXU/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“In the coffee value chain map, there will always be traders, because most of our farmers are really farmers who just want to produce and don’t even know where the market is,” Dir. Pablo declared.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Nandyan po yung expertise natin at siguro, as one of the messages of the Secretary, if he is here, he would say that, ‘It’s time to move up!’ Ang sabi po ng mga kabataan, ‘Level up!’, from being farmer to farmer entrepreneurs,” USec. Guerrero added.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rise of Specialty Coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Dir. Pablo, the Philippine consumers transcended from the First Wave trend to the Second and Third Wave movement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The First Wave is the era when growing coffee market became affordable and “ready for pot”. Coffee brands like Folgers and Maxwell House instantly became household names.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this movement, the Second Wave is in response to consumers’ desire to know the origin and understand the roasting style of coffee beans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Consumers buy coffee to experience it rather than just a plain beverage. One of the examples of this is Starbucks,” explained Dir. Pablo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the Third Wave, consumers are now becoming health conscious and have established an interest in farming and coffee production. Consumers became interested in the distinct quality of their coffee which caused higher standards in coffee farming and processing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This wave also focused on Specialty Coffee where the coffee beans are grown in special and ideal climates and are recognizable because of its taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dir. Pablo also said that in today’s market niche, Specialty Coffee is the current trend and has created a direct connection between the businessmen and coffee farmers. The government saw this opportunity to elevate the coffee culture amongst coffee growers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Our presentation is focused more on the production, promotion and marketing of Arabica as a Specialty Coffee. We don’t really need a big volume for Arabica, although we would want to because we want to have a more premium quality with a better price for our coffee farmers and to prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community Integration to compete well against the products of our neighboring countries,” Dir. Pablo added.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The DTI has already organized and strengthened the existing regional and provincial development councils by developing marketing programs relative to product’s marketability which enables mechanism and to keep pace with the existing demand of the market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Working on coffee concerns</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To help coffee stakeholders further understand the coffee industry and provide response to queries and clarification, PCAF invited representatives of the concerned agencies and bureaus.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbdEdJLr2V8Nn-acPojfdd-fVUWh-XMpsXt2pWE-BlaILNwJK7hPyOcOqUJd9l8mgE_l47gNa6Uy9k5YCUSxSL0n1jjG2t7L-LEjeNaGt6l_OxSCSvHlmlnQ-qadwY_WeRuQ_teLqfRA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbdEdJLr2V8Nn-acPojfdd-fVUWh-XMpsXt2pWE-BlaILNwJK7hPyOcOqUJd9l8mgE_l47gNa6Uy9k5YCUSxSL0n1jjG2t7L-LEjeNaGt6l_OxSCSvHlmlnQ-qadwY_WeRuQ_teLqfRA/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David Santos, Chairperson of PCAF-NSC—Committee on Commercial Crops takes note on the concerns of Nicomedes Abad of CARAGA about their community’s challenges on coffee production during the National Coffee Summit open forum. Also listening is PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In response to the concern raised about the accessibility of credit assistance to coffee farmers, Edgardo de Guzman of Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) and Jorge Disuanco of MacNut Philippines said that their respective companies can provide a farmer-friendly financial scheme and financial assistance to coffee growers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, DTI’s Negosyo Centers stationed in every region can give assistance to existing, prospective and interested businessmen especially to coffee farmers’ concern with high transportation costs from farm to buying stations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In convincing the farmers to use the available land for coffee farming, Elnora Taleon of the DENR- National Greening Program saw the need to create feasibility studies.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2vAaualEudydkG5ieuvob-Areiz7FhCtA-zxMyUYsMhoU-oHlBTqjwtaBE_ueh0xdpR01ik_Od0VufjLNEp0gRFq9sVuQV1Wirer9qLtouGm2iWNwjCDuKdUV1r7fNzoWhq0yoqcZcY/s1600/4pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2vAaualEudydkG5ieuvob-Areiz7FhCtA-zxMyUYsMhoU-oHlBTqjwtaBE_ueh0xdpR01ik_Od0VufjLNEp0gRFq9sVuQV1Wirer9qLtouGm2iWNwjCDuKdUV1r7fNzoWhq0yoqcZcY/s640/4pictures.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although David Santos, Chairperson of the PCAF-National Sectoral Committee’s (PCAF-NSC) Committee on Commercial Crops and Chief Executive Officer of Ka Tribu Ug Ang Lasang Foundation, agreed to have feasibility study, Santos clarified that a large budget is needed to conduct of such study. While waiting for the creation of feasibility study, Disuanco offered MacNut Philippines’ 10-year Cost Benefit Analysis for coffee which they can share upon request.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from de Guzman of LBP, Disuanco of MacNut and Santos of Ka Tribu and PCAF, Ruth Novales and Aidel Belamide of Nestle Philippines also presented in the summit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were joined by Mario Anicete of Ka Tribu Ug Ang Lasang Foundation, Princess Kumalah Sug Elardo of International Women Coffee Alliance, Dr. Renita dela Cruz of Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechnization (PhilMech), Marites Directo of Universal Robina Corporation, Alvira Reyes of Philippine Coffee Alliance, Bishop Valentin Dimoc of Social Action Development Center, Lara Navarro of DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, Dr. Andrea Inocencio and Evelyn Tan both from DA-BPI-HVCDP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other concerns brought up in the conference where noted by PCAF and will be sent to the concerned National Government Agencies. PCAF-NSC—Committee on Commercial Crops will consolidate all the possible proposals and suggestions to create sound policy recommendations to benefit the coffee farmers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from the plenary sessions, an exhibit participated by Nestle Philippines, PhilMech, Philippine Coffee Alliance and Bote Central showcased coffee processes, latest processing machines and overflowing coffee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47sSvt5pnXKs-1japIzKruSqgTeDRSOdrGxVk-ZLEHDy02Nk7GXpMJywAfAGU4i8TM5mO0s9PYDn1Owhv5NBX8e5pDqHxb3EaquP6bvFMz7igGbaHLo3KmNZ7WP07Vc9hmyMIKVqCLV0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47sSvt5pnXKs-1japIzKruSqgTeDRSOdrGxVk-ZLEHDy02Nk7GXpMJywAfAGU4i8TM5mO0s9PYDn1Owhv5NBX8e5pDqHxb3EaquP6bvFMz7igGbaHLo3KmNZ7WP07Vc9hmyMIKVqCLV0/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Source: h<a href="ttp://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/coffee-farmers.php">ttp://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/coffee-farmers.php</a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-14819646559639178272016-03-21T00:22:00.001-07:002016-05-11T03:12:28.118-07:00PCAF Volunteers’ Day: A tribute to outstanding AFC chairpersons and coordinators<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unceasing contribution of valued time, talent, skills and resources.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are the qualities that are evident to every Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) chairpersons and coordinators that made them a true-blue volunteer of the agriculture and fishery industry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After 29 years since the founding of the AFC, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) marked the first-ever awarding of outstanding AFC chairpersons and coordinators on March 9, 2016 at Hotel H2O in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The event was the highlight of PCAF’s celebration of its inaugural Volunteers’ Day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Out of 1,728 AFCs from 16 regions, 82 provinces, 19 cities and 1,611 municipalities, six individuals were recognized for their significant dedication and selfless services as council chairpersons and coordinators.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The AFC is PCAF’s mechanism for private sector participation in the agriculture and fisheries development processes at the regional, provincial and municipal level.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The search aims to acknowledge the remarkable contributions and effort of deserving incumbent Regional AFC (RAFC) Chairperson, Provincial AFC (PAFC) Chairperson, Municipal AFC (MAFC) Chairperson as well as the RAFC Coordinator, PAFC Coordinator, and MAFC Coordinator.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The search, headed by PCAF Exec. Director Ariel Cayanan, started last August 2015. Aside from plaque, the winners received cash prizes worth PhP60,000 each.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Voice and Bridges of Agriculture and Fishery Sector</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the Outstanding RAFC Chairperson, Vincent Adorna of Region 1 was hailed for his significant contribution and participation as a volunteer in the council for 15 years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of his accomplishments was filing of a resolution for the conduct of an investigation of oil spill along the coastal area of Pangasinan and La Union, which has greatly affected the livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year’s DA-Gawad Saka Outstanding PAFC was awarded to PAFC Quirino Province, under the leadership of Dante Tobias.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year, Tobias bagged the PCAF’s recognition for Outstanding PAFC Chairperson for his dedication in the agriculture and fishery sector. Among these contributions is the passing of a resolution prohibiting the indiscriminate use of Glyphosate in corn areas with 18 degrees slope in Quirino Province, and the implementation of Appropriate Soil Conservation Management for Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas or SCoPSA. Glyphosate is one of the world’s most widely used weed killers in the agriculture industry especially in corn areas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Likewise, Carlito Aquino of Region 5 was awarded as the Outstanding MAFC Chairperson for his pursuit to improve the condition of his fellow farmers in Ocampo, Camarines Sur by spearheading the passing of Municipal Ordinances, through MAFC resolution. Among these resolutions were the Development of Organic Sustainable Agriculture in Ocampo, Creation of Municipal Agriculture Development Plan and Municipal Tourism Development.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the outstanding coordinators, PCAF hailed Milagros Dela Rosa of Region 1 in the regional level, Dominga Cabatu of Cordillera Administrative Region in the provincial level, and Lydia Monda of Region 5 as the outstanding coordinator in the municipal level.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To help PCAF in the selection, the search’s National Technical Committee was composed of Dr. Jaime Lopez of National Dairy Authority; Jimmy Sevalla, Local Government Operation Officer of the Department of Local Government (DILG); Shervit Anne Chan, Local Government Operations Officer of DILG; Kenneth Siruelo of Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency; Josephine Aben of Agricultural Training Institute, and Lorna Villegas of DA-Field Operations Services.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Board of Judges were composed of industry institutions like National Scientist Dr. Gelia Castillo of International Rice Research Institute and Nelia Gonzales of Asia World Properties Philippine Corporation. Along with them were the individuals who are best in their chosen field like former DA Undersecretary Apolonio Bautista, Gomer Tumbali of Food and Agriculture Organization, and Raul Montemayor of Federation of Free Farmers Coop., Inc..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The criteria for evaluation focused on the significant contribution to the agriculture and fishery sector, leadership, performance, sustained commitment and service to the AFC, Agri-fishery undertakings or the livelihood projects, community involvement, efficiency, effectiveness and creativity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aside from the criteria, AFC chairpersons should have rendered the same position for at least three years, while coordinators should also be in their current position for at least five years to be qualified.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala graced the event and said that the AFC is one of the few ways where the government can establish transparency and creates awareness on the department’s various programs and activities.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aside from the secretary, former Agriculture Secretary Carlos Dominguez and DILG Local Government Supervision Director Manuel Gotis were also present in the celebration. (See related story)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/afc-chair.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/afc-chair.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-66626708537921062332016-03-01T01:01:00.000-08:002016-03-01T01:01:05.325-08:002016 National Women's Month Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TiFoD-Y-Vr6pTv5IsgeMptl36fBW4uEil1vIGqGYXmQnIS705tFnx47TcqEZu0Fr9wa9LW61WFraYqJ_yUQPpYhZ53fGzDVGZg39m3m97mAhqu0qdT_ux5yeVBQv-tOuz7nzn6zOdhg/s1600/juan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TiFoD-Y-Vr6pTv5IsgeMptl36fBW4uEil1vIGqGYXmQnIS705tFnx47TcqEZu0Fr9wa9LW61WFraYqJ_yUQPpYhZ53fGzDVGZg39m3m97mAhqu0qdT_ux5yeVBQv-tOuz7nzn6zOdhg/s640/juan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-73846476296351711432016-02-23T00:59:00.000-08:002016-08-21T19:32:35.661-07:00PCAF sizes up Performance intensifies partnership with NSC and AFC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ryhEtYebleYOQuQFNq8G3452SgyanfIaidheVbNWNx4QAMrPxJg3Z4p9-cM1doSsiH4s2XFmIzqTkBF1W9L4_rNTmC0pqa9HqqKUgDsms1kL2zNaHvN1R-LutOBXmneHk8JvuqsPbLQ/s1600/size-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ryhEtYebleYOQuQFNq8G3452SgyanfIaidheVbNWNx4QAMrPxJg3Z4p9-cM1doSsiH4s2XFmIzqTkBF1W9L4_rNTmC0pqa9HqqKUgDsms1kL2zNaHvN1R-LutOBXmneHk8JvuqsPbLQ/s400/size-up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan shares a light moment with
RAFC Region 10 Chairperson Edgardo Layug; RAFC Region 5 Chairperson Jose
Cordero, Jr.; NSC Committee on Commercial Crops Head David Santos, and RAFC
Region 1 Chairperson Vincent Adorna, during his opening remarks. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">To ensure that
there is a shared understanding and collective decision-making among the
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), National Sectoral
Committee (NSC), and Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC), the agency
jumpstart the year with a back to back performance review and planning workshop
at Villa Caceres Hotel in Naga City on January 26 to 28, 2016.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">The three-day
event served as a venue to almost a hundred participants from the NSC, AFC and PCAF
where they identified the gaps and issues that hampered the performance of the entire
agency including its partners.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">PCAF Executive
Director Ariel Cayanan acknowledged the unceasing commitment and dedication of
the AFCs and NSCs in pursuing an optimistic future for the agriculture and
fishery communities.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">“For the past 28
years, you have become our partners in developing sound policies for the
agriculture and fishery sector. I encourage everyone to participate in
identifying the gaps and create a common understanding that will be beneficial
for the agency and to all our stakeholders,” Exec. Dir. Cayanan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">Participatory Planning</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">As part of the planning
and workshop, Exec. Dir. Cayanan also presented the agency’s accomplishment
highlights from 2010 to 2014. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t202" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:203.95pt;margin-top:90.9pt;width:263.5pt;height:55.9pt;z-index:251655680;
mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin'>
<v:textbox style='mso-next-textbox:#_x0000_s1026'>
<![if !mso]>
<table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td><![endif]>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>
Exec. Dir. Cayanan addresses the concerns of the NSC and
AFC members during the open forum of the workshop.</p>
</div>
<![if !mso]></td>
</tr>
</table>
<![endif]></v:textbox>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">Among
the highlighted activities were the creation of Climate Change Committee, AKBay
Program, the formulation of Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP),
enactment of Republic Act 10601 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization
(AFMech) Law, AFMech Summit, and National Rice Summit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">The Policy
Development and Coordination Division (PDCD) Chief Julieta Opulencia;
Partnership Development Division (PDD) Chief Elgie Namia, and Planning, Monitoring
and Knowledge Management Division (PMKMD) - Monitoring and Evaluation Section
Chief Cyril Soliaban also presented the sections’ respective accomplishment
reports for 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">Aside from the presentation
of PCAF’s achievements, the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) reforms
and status of fund transfers and balances were also discussed to update the
participants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">PCAF also
declared its 2016 Work Plan and Budget, and Key Challenges and Plan of Actions
for fiscal year for 2016 and 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">In line with the
accomplishment reports and budget concerns, AFC members and partners from the
NSC provided their recommendations and suggestions that could help the sector
perform well and could be considered in PCAF’s 2017 work and financial plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">Among their suggestions
under the PAP1: Development and Coordination of Agriculture and Fishery
Policies were allocation of fund for sectoral consultation in ARMM and all
regions, and strengthening the participation and involvement of AFC particular
on the grassroots level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">They also
proposed to conduct more policy studies that involve grassroots levels of AFC
like the Barangay Agriculture and Fishery Council and Municipal Agriculture and
Fishery Council levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">For the PAP2: Planning,
Motoring and Knowledge Management they have included the development of local
AFCs through formulation of road map, and the consolidation of resolution and
categorized into PCAF’s strategic legislative and executive agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">The conduct of
entry to exit conference for monitoring and other activities, and expanded
monitoring in the local charters of NSC and newly organized MAFCs were also
raised under PAP 2. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">For the PAP 3:
Partnership Development, the participants suggested comprehensive agri and
fishery planning at the provincial level with participation of MAFC, MOA and
other stakeholders through partnership development with the province. They also
suggested fishing ground planning and capacitating RAFCs to lead or
co-organized congress or forum.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">On the other
hand, a workshop on the shared policy agenda setting was also conducted. The
NSC together with the strategic concern committees, the regional and local AFCs
identified their goals for the entire year. The participants were also able to
recognize the policy gaps, their priority for the 2016, and proposed solutions
or options to the issues that they have identified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="height: 203px; margin-left: -75px; margin-top: 10px; position: absolute; text-align: justify; width: 425px; z-index: 251658752;"><br /></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-57628501068538062272016-02-22T00:32:00.002-08:002016-02-22T00:32:40.578-08:00PCAF sets directions for 2016<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms1vc6DjYptAJ_dQePnOzrNltP5IACQFKWeJVXyAWjunR4-RrsWZgr2U_kqFyibGAVgAMqACb6jkWGyNEHAhK13uEvJmzAYVhQqMusN7GC-9mFWnJWlHnRncznqI2dtYPyHNzx-vZDpE/s1600/sets-direction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgms1vc6DjYptAJ_dQePnOzrNltP5IACQFKWeJVXyAWjunR4-RrsWZgr2U_kqFyibGAVgAMqACb6jkWGyNEHAhK13uEvJmzAYVhQqMusN7GC-9mFWnJWlHnRncznqI2dtYPyHNzx-vZDpE/s640/sets-direction.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PCAF employees listen attentively to Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan as the latter gives his instructions during the agency’s 2016 GA</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We need to work harder and work as a team.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the appeal of Executive Director Ariel Cayanan as he addressed more than 100 employees and Job Orders of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) during the agency’s 2016 General Assembly (GA) on January 06 at the New Conference Room of the Department of Agriculture- National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC) - Livestock Development Council (LDC) Building.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One year after the physical consolidation of NAFC and LDC that has led to the creation of PCAF, Dir. Cayanan lauded the whole agency for working as one and accomplishing the mandated deliverables or the Major Final Output (MFO).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, he also stressed that there is a need for necessary improvements.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Like what we have discussed in our mid-year performance, we have to ensure that the resolutions are really policy resolutions and not just any resolution,” Dir. Cayanan emphasized.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To address this concern, Dir. Cayanan clearly instructed that all Operating Units (OUs): the Administrative, Financial and Management Division (AFMD), Policy Development and Coordination Division (PDCD), Partnership Development Division (PDD) and Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division (PMKMD), should review and analyze their work plan and budget to determine if there are gaps in the plan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of the 2016 directives is the preparation of the 2017 work and financial plan. The director also mentioned that a detailed breakdown of costs per activity and object of expenditures are required.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, as part of the 2016 Work Plan and Budget Implementation, Dir. Cayanan said that all OUs should observe strict adherence on the monthly deliverables as indicated in each respective work plan and monthly disbursement program.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the topics that were discussed were details on the participatory monitoring and tracking; report submission; schedule of meetings and activities, streamlining processes, and filling up for positions and enforcement of the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, PMKMD Chief Estrella Tulay also presented the agency’s work plan and budget which will be implemented this 2016.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She also reminded everyone that PCAF through its mandates primarily, contributes to the Key Result Area (KRA) 1. This is the transparency, accountable and participatory governance of the President Aquino’s Social Contract to the Filipino people. PCAF’s KRA is very different to the KRA of the Department of Agriculture, which is the KRA 3 or the rapid economic growth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KRA is the general output or outcome that a department or an agency is expected to be delivered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The PMKMD chief reiterated that the KRA is essential in determining the MFO of PCAF which is Agriculture and Fishery Policy Services. Under the MFO, PCAF has three Program, Activity and Projects (PAP).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The PAPs of PCAF includes the PAP 1 or the Development and Coordination of Agriculture and Fishery Policies; PAP 2 is the Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management, and PAP 3 is Partnership Development.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the activities prepared for 2016 under the PAP 1 were regular consultation meetings of the AFCs and the NSCs; Areawide Policy Dialogues and National Sectoral Fora, and Policy Studies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, the PAP 2 activities were Agency and Joint PCAF, NSC and AFC planning and performance review workshops; PCAF Monitoring of programs and projects AFMA, Evaluative Study, the preparation of knowledge products and “Kapihan” sessions for exchange and sharing of knowledge and learning within PCAF, between and among its partners and stakeholders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, some of the PAP 3 activities that were stored for PCAF partners and stakeholders were the Search for Outstanding AFC Chairpersons and Coordinators; National Agriculture and Fishery Volunteers’ Day; Gender and Development client focused activities, and Monitoring of AFC operations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">source: <a href="http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/pcaf-sets-directions.php">http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/pcaf-sets-directions.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-23297425988176894752016-02-15T00:19:00.000-08:002016-02-15T16:16:47.658-08:00A grant to continue the road to natural way of farming.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5l6dXO0RdHLnk67ky6CejCavN10pgxC8duycc0Aw4GpB0Wm8glgQdFuXYZilAjoNSPz-2SNW-C2xKaYeuko6Jb4oazp9pnyxg6sauzA4kF0Uyt7zxdCKTn8A85N8yQEhraKbyw4xivY/s1600/CAFC-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5l6dXO0RdHLnk67ky6CejCavN10pgxC8duycc0Aw4GpB0Wm8glgQdFuXYZilAjoNSPz-2SNW-C2xKaYeuko6Jb4oazp9pnyxg6sauzA4kF0Uyt7zxdCKTn8A85N8yQEhraKbyw4xivY/s640/CAFC-chair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben Gagelonia, chairperson of the Science City of Muñoz-City
Agriculture and Fishery Council (CAFC), graciously receives two checks
worth Ph<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">p</span>300,000 from PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan on February 09,
2016 at the Office of the Executive Director in Apacible Hall in
Department of Agriculture in Quezon City.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Aside for the trophy and Presidential Citation, winners of the 2015
Gawad Saka also received cash prizes. The Science City of Muñoz was
awarded PhP300,000 for bagging the Gawad Saka’s Outstanding CAFC award
last December 09, 2015. Gagelonia said that the money will be used to
optimize organic farming through vermi-composting projects that will
benefit the 37 Barangay AFCs in Muñoz. Also present in the photo (L-R)
are PCAF Region 3 Coordinator Rowena Gallemit, representative from
PCAF cashier Celso Mateo and PCAF Volunteer’s Management Section Chief
Conchita del Rosario. </span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-8904042155786723872016-01-19T22:28:00.001-08:002016-01-19T22:28:28.790-08:00PCAF secures agreement to reactivate Olongapo City AFC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU2elYtmGoarHVSzMj7DgTq4JQAvvKcKxtR8FMmg1NpgRB5zVgeQyyOyhqtTSmmYSJFbhmS6_Hm7PORG96hzbztkMiKUqBFZnkiZAhpgMT99GQteBPUuLadplHjZ0RXlLCkGU0Tbb9jI/s1600/secure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU2elYtmGoarHVSzMj7DgTq4JQAvvKcKxtR8FMmg1NpgRB5zVgeQyyOyhqtTSmmYSJFbhmS6_Hm7PORG96hzbztkMiKUqBFZnkiZAhpgMT99GQteBPUuLadplHjZ0RXlLCkGU0Tbb9jI/s640/secure.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (second from left, seated) and Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan (third from left, seated) seal the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the reactivation of the Olongapo City Highly Urbanized City Agricultural and Fishery Council (HUCAFC) on December 18, 2015 after a cordial meeting at the City Mayor’s office.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The MOA was set to formalize the participation of Olongapo City as the newest addition to PCAF’s Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs). The agreement was also set to recognize the importance of AFCs in highly urbanized cities like Olongapo. This will instigate a brand new level of ardency to the Olongapo City HUCAFC to be a venue for consultation and discussions with the agri and fishery stakeholders from the private and government sectors. The reactivation of Olongapo City HUCAFC will provide a venue where issues and concerns in the city are raised, discussed and resolved by translating them into policy briefs, policy reforms, programs or projects, and will be enacted as local ordinance or laws.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Present during the signing are (from left, seated) San Marcelino, Zambales representative Von Rodriguez, City Agriculturist Victorino Garengo (third from right), RAFC Executive Officer and Coordinator of Region 3 William Valdez (second from right), and PCAF’s Partnership Development Division Chief Elgie Namia (utmost right). Standing (from left) are LGU staff Aileen Reyes, Zambales PAFC Coordinator Romualdo Ramos, PCAF Region 3 Coordinator Rowena Gallemit, AFC Olongapo member Nard Dimandiman, Zambales PAFC Chairperson Alexander Caynon and AFC Olongapo member Jimmy Lamyo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/secures.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/secures.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-15197321262607380282015-12-17T17:38:00.003-08:002015-12-17T17:38:53.727-08:00Cooperation is the key<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemLb-MWZEP-1dEvQA4IWCMeK_7OOGuqujIS0hvIOibhkk-62NDiX9ZefHCFMW1qk8PpaL71N90Lu3JLkLMCvCUgL2xiojUj42bFo0g04JLtQ1J2pK5-bQV9GnpybDqbZ3gYzo48HbGcA/s1600/picc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemLb-MWZEP-1dEvQA4IWCMeK_7OOGuqujIS0hvIOibhkk-62NDiX9ZefHCFMW1qk8PpaL71N90Lu3JLkLMCvCUgL2xiojUj42bFo0g04JLtQ1J2pK5-bQV9GnpybDqbZ3gYzo48HbGcA/s640/picc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Ang nakamit na tagumpay ng PAFC Quirino ay bunga ng isang magandang samahan, pagtutulungan at isahang pagkilos ng bawat kasapi na tinatawag na AFC volunteers sa lalawigan ng Quirino.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) Quirino representative Dante Tobias said that these qualities shepherd the entire AFC volunteers of Quirino to secure the 2015 Gawad Saka Outstanding PACF award.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his speech, Tobias thanked the Department of Agriculture and the local government unit of Quirino in supporting them in their agricultural needs particularly creating measures against the threats of soil degradation in the province.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/gawadsakaPICC2.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/gawadsakaPICC2.php</a></span>Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-46944318310551669762015-12-07T18:46:00.004-08:002015-12-07T18:46:48.342-08:00Former Sen. Lacson lauds 1st Visayas-wide AFC Congress<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslebvj43N402OrE4ufB29BZKEcA2d6xZRRJKwEJBKYBJlNn6DXDm4bWcKjOChsuJ69zGhQOxVcOTHuC1k7Ffxk8lKmfp2VXqlqdiVjNEj-xFtQoPWcKDYxYRikVFNCA4jUK_PhL4WMyc/s1600/sen.lacson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslebvj43N402OrE4ufB29BZKEcA2d6xZRRJKwEJBKYBJlNn6DXDm4bWcKjOChsuJ69zGhQOxVcOTHuC1k7Ffxk8lKmfp2VXqlqdiVjNEj-xFtQoPWcKDYxYRikVFNCA4jUK_PhL4WMyc/s400/sen.lacson1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14.72px; text-align: justify;">Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sr. addresses more than 70 participants from Regions 6,7 and 8 of the first-ever Visayas-wide AFC Congress last October 14, 2015 at Doher Hotel in Mandaue City, Cebu. Listening to the senator are PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan, RTD Marina Hermoso of DA-RFO7, Region 7 RAFC Chairperson Lou Cabalde, Region 8 Chairperson Edgardo Codilla and Region 6 Chairperson Ricardo Povido, Jr. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “Those who provide most of the nation's food remain noticeably poor.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a concern raised by former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sr. at the opening program of the first-ever Visayas-wide Agricultural and Fisheries Council (AFC) Congress last October 14 to 16, 2015 in Mandaue City in Cebu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three-day event aims to provide a proper venue for consultation on regional cross-cutting topics and serve as a support mechanism among AFCs in the Visayas region. The congress was a result of a cooperation with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices and the Regional AFC (RAFC) of Regions 6, 7 and 8.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Addressing more than 70 AFC officers from Regions 6, 7 and 8, the former Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Czar emphasized that one of the reasons why farmers and fisherfolks were experiencing below poverty level is corruption. It is the biggest culprit and stumbling block in alleviating poverty, exemplifying the infamous Fertilizer Fund Scam and pork barrel scam that had once highlighted the department.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He lamented that despite performing well in 1960s and 1970s, the Philippine agriculture faltered in the succeeding years, resulting to sector’s decelerating growth compared to other Asian countries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Undeterred by these challenges, Lacson remains positive with RAFC and lauded initiatives like the Visayas-wide Congress that serves as a vehicle for progress to the agriculture and fishery sector. He also appealed to the AFC officers to fight “tooth and nail” against fraudulent entities that oppress farmers and fisherfolks.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipActkeSexVC92vbKW4ndBrZ_i7PqOalbW7I9uv3yM4Sh95zUxg57WhQLoMGbDt9Aev5szphpOVXplHgvrclNh49qB8kY9PuZq0kLiQZy8UvMeNKf6GFR_WJJcKbjUPLBA7JWaFKS8IYo/s1600/sen.lacson2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipActkeSexVC92vbKW4ndBrZ_i7PqOalbW7I9uv3yM4Sh95zUxg57WhQLoMGbDt9Aev5szphpOVXplHgvrclNh49qB8kY9PuZq0kLiQZy8UvMeNKf6GFR_WJJcKbjUPLBA7JWaFKS8IYo/s400/sen.lacson2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.72px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some of the participants pose for a photo-op during the last day of the Visayas-wide AFC Congress.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secretary Fredelita Guiza, newly appointed secretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistance for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (OPAFSAM), also challenged AFC officers to promote convergence for a closer coordination and linkages with the private sectors especially in the grass roots level.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We, at OPAFSAM aim to strengthen and improve the lives of the farmers. This is why we are here to update you on the programs implemented by the National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority and the National Food Authority that will equip you in these challenges,” Sec. Guiza added.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, to fulfill its duty in creating an avenue for development, RAFC Region 7 Chairman Lou Cabalde presented relevant topics that could promote preparedness during calamities and disasters, as well as competitiveness amidst financial crisis.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of these topics is the role of AFC in livelihood recovery program. The discussion was led by Engr. Edwin Andot, RAFC Chairman of Region 10 who shared how the Ecosystem Worked for Essential Benefits (EcOWEB) have helped the municipalities of Guiuan, Salcedo and Mercedes in Eastern Samar build their livelihoods after the destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the initiatives of RAFC officials in Eastern Samar in Region 8, the beneficiaries were able to produce 160 tons of pork per year from 60 households that have helped them recover their livelihood.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To address the topic of climate change, Engr. Oscar Tabada, Chief of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)- Visayas Regional Services, assured the participants that the agency is enhancing its observing systems and monitoring facilities for early warning system by upgrading surveillance radars and establishment of Doppler Radar. For the benefit of the farmers and fisherfolks, there are plans of enhancement and acquisitions of facilities that will produce accurate weather forecast and conclusive advisories.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Roehlano Briones, Research Fellow II of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies at National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also graced the congress and discussed the impact of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Economic Community Free Trade on agriculture and fishery sector.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier reports raised doubts on the negative effects of reducing tariffs and other barriers which may cause unfair competition among other countries. However, Briones pointed out that with agreement, the Philippine agriculture will have an opportunity to gain access in the ASEAN regional market.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The challenges and opportunities in agriculture preparedness and competitiveness under the “new normal” were discussed by Dr. Esteban Godilano, consultant of DA Systems-Wide Climate Change Office. In his talk, Dr. Godilano introduced the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture (AMIA) to address climate change in agriculture and how it paved the way into achieving multi-hazard maps of every local government unit to conduct tactical and strategic plans for informed decision-making.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, Baltazar Tribulano, Jr., Chief of Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office shared his knowledge on how to heighten the participants’ competencies in disaster readiness and survival planning through relating it to simple home activities.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In spite of the challenges that the agriculture sector is facing, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Executive Director Ariel Cayanan have expressed his admiration to all the private partners who have been a great help towards agricultural progress.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his message, Dir. Cayanan mentioned that this is an excellent place to exchange ideas and formulate effective approach in different issues the sector is facing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also present in the congress were Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, Regional Technical Director Marina Hermoso of DA-RFO7, Region 8 RAFC Chairperson Edgardo Codilla and Region 6 RAFC Chairperson Ricardo Provido, Jr.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/sen.lacson.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/sen.lacson.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-88182203308979685672015-11-22T18:08:00.001-08:002015-11-24T21:22:01.595-08:00Baras MAFC now officially reactivated<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXn4blfmidZjEcZURXnCKIqba3NDFnxNHgU1nn1q04jxSGx_5EDjXnzYBClukvG3T02xvhlWKGRK0ABXP3RL214jSu8NXUSBK7S1p65_kMhpqZJC6qLGjHpTGot9ySx5RP92A4o0TbN0/s1600/baras1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXn4blfmidZjEcZURXnCKIqba3NDFnxNHgU1nn1q04jxSGx_5EDjXnzYBClukvG3T02xvhlWKGRK0ABXP3RL214jSu8NXUSBK7S1p65_kMhpqZJC6qLGjHpTGot9ySx5RP92A4o0TbN0/s640/baras1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sealing the agreement. Baras MAFC Chairperson Manuel Gallo, Mayor Katherine Robles, DA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano and PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan sign the Memorandum of Agreement to formalize the reactivation of the Baras MAFC.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Philippine Council for Agricultural and Fisheries (PCAF), Baras Local Government Unit together with Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 4-A, and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) 4-A inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last October 19 to formalize the reactivation of the Baras Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The MOA summarized the duties and commitments agreed by the Sanguniang Bayan of Baras and the concerned Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFC) members during the oath taking ceremony last May 25, 2015. Present in signing were Mayor Katherine Robles, DA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano, PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan, with the representatives from PCAF, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Baras, DA-RFO 4A, and RAFC–4A.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Also present in the ceremony were other Baras officials, and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Maria Cribe, who represented the Regional Executive Director Vilma Dimaculangan. This landmark event aims to reinstitutionalize the MAFC as a venue for consultative and continuing discussions among partners in the government and stakeholders, particularly in Baras, Rizal.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V7-4_feL9uPvUaGroQKjZnlvdFp8jfaQka3671bDNfzQxHw74Zsh8c0vO2D8zj8ufxA_cCzGz93b_TEtOmVtwDydEV-yCrfaM43y1U6E2S5Ovu3Nfxlw2akW1_NVlkSfWcG1aUIdhds/s1600/baras2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V7-4_feL9uPvUaGroQKjZnlvdFp8jfaQka3671bDNfzQxHw74Zsh8c0vO2D8zj8ufxA_cCzGz93b_TEtOmVtwDydEV-yCrfaM43y1U6E2S5Ovu3Nfxlw2akW1_NVlkSfWcG1aUIdhds/s400/baras2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.992px; text-align: justify;">DA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano and PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan listen to Mayor Katherine Robles as she explains how they are helping their farmers in growing organic production. Also listening were representatives from PCAF, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Baras, DA-RFO 4A and RAFC–4A.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Baras MAFC is the first MAFC to be formally reactivated since the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) was rationalized as PCAF.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“There is a great need for the AFC’s involvement in the Local Development Councils (LDC). The role of the AFC, whose members are from the private sector, is vital. The private sector may assist and influence in the agri- fishery sectors and has an essential contribution in generating employment and investment opportunities,” said Undersecretary Serrano during the MOA signing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Executive Director Cayanan briefly explained the roles and responsibilities of the LGU and the Baras MAFC officials.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under the agreement, PCAF will provide financial, logistical and technical support for the activities needed for the reactivation of the Baras MAFC and for the conduct of continuous consultations for the agriculture and fisheries stakeholders.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oqVGQBpuwKUQLYo4Q7D9idx-Pw1brZnqf03xDAk1LFWGIE6r-F4XWMVZ6FLe37lGZzQGw54MZm0TyNhVWAwgH5qyP3TAdNCh88Pbis3CHnVWdYgT5ea_2kKtBXZ0CpagcBeNzkZHhQo/s1600/baras3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oqVGQBpuwKUQLYo4Q7D9idx-Pw1brZnqf03xDAk1LFWGIE6r-F4XWMVZ6FLe37lGZzQGw54MZm0TyNhVWAwgH5qyP3TAdNCh88Pbis3CHnVWdYgT5ea_2kKtBXZ0CpagcBeNzkZHhQo/s1600/baras3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo shows Baras Mayor Katherine Robles, DA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano and PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan with the representatives from Local Government Unit (LGU) of Baras, DA-RFO 4A and RAFC–4A post for a photo-op after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The DA-RFO 4-A will ensure the attainment of the thrusts and mandates of the AFC on consultation, integration, networking and advocacy in the local community. It will also supervise the reactivation activities and operations, and the MAFC project coordination and monitoring activities.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The RAFC 4-A, on the other hand, will provide direct assistance and oversee the activities regarding the reactivation of the Baras MAFC, and ensure the continuous conduct of AFC-related activities in the said town. It will also serve as channel for livelihood assistance and establishment of institutional development projects in the municipality through endorsement of projects proposals of the MAFC.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For its part, the Baras LGU will provide financial and logistical support for the strengthening and continuous conduct of activities of the Baras MAFC on top of the operational funds provided by PCAF. Also, LGU officials will attend Baras MAFC meetings, consultations and other activities, and provide assistance in the conduct of agricultural and fishery programs and projects in Baras and give advice to the MAFC members on matters and issues related to DILG.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPr3bAhKFDyVuaC9HqlP_kxziXl63fHO3HG0bd2Gl4VrySgeSB0ALfJYjeG1FTjiHzPAAIfddH8czxzuQf0mcIOVxH8bJsbRJJne2uyth8K1hfEt65PYbtkAkX3wvGaFPEa7jsVGS6EI/s1600/baras4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPr3bAhKFDyVuaC9HqlP_kxziXl63fHO3HG0bd2Gl4VrySgeSB0ALfJYjeG1FTjiHzPAAIfddH8czxzuQf0mcIOVxH8bJsbRJJne2uyth8K1hfEt65PYbtkAkX3wvGaFPEa7jsVGS6EI/s400/baras4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Katherine Robles with the rest of the local government unit and Baras MAFC representatives, pay attention to PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan as he discusses the major roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />“The Baras local government is committed to support the agricultural development of our municipality. At present, we are aiming to get an Organic Certification in support to the growing organic production here,” said Baras Mayor Robles in her message.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/MAFC-Baras.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/MAFC-Baras.php</a></span>Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-21587170066066141812015-10-27T23:00:00.002-07:002015-11-25T17:40:47.016-08:00PCAF’s GBEST paints clearer picture on gender equality<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT3GARuvvqHBdIvgrNOBnDdo7BT5OBDJxyfFW3zLDnkLY9RdALSa5QlLMlb81SSW47h1ZBw5W2tcrC5Fjsimz9Kuxw1fYxHy2_NDHMKTBiWa659NZNSxDkMS_vRGH0DBUy3znnUt_oAI/s1600/gbest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT3GARuvvqHBdIvgrNOBnDdo7BT5OBDJxyfFW3zLDnkLY9RdALSa5QlLMlb81SSW47h1ZBw5W2tcrC5Fjsimz9Kuxw1fYxHy2_NDHMKTBiWa659NZNSxDkMS_vRGH0DBUy3znnUt_oAI/s640/gbest1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dr. Leo Gallego, Gender Focal
Person of NIA-RAFPEP, welcomes AFC volunteers during one of PCAF’s Gender-Based
Effectiveness Skills Training (GBEST). The GBEST was conducted in a total of
five regions this year.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">To gain adequate understanding on the related concepts of gender and equality, around 200 Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) volunteers joined the series of Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Trainings (GBEST) spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">PCAF, through the Capacity Development Section (CDS), facilitated the training which focused on three aspects: mainstreaming gender; exploring gender and culture, and recognizing gender realities and issues.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">According to PCAF CDS Chief Arsenia Perez, it was the first time for most of the participants to join a gender-based training.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">“It is important that AFCs know that we, at PCAF, are doing this kind of training and that this is in line with the provisions under the Magna Carta for Women,” Perez added.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">The training team explained that the inclusion of the topic on Mainstreaming Gender is so that they could introduce the different gender mainstreaming processes and concepts. The AFC volunteers also learned the evolution of gender paradigms and perspectives from its early initiatives wherein women were viewed as vulnerable, helpless and needing of protection. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">The second module, which was on Exploring Gender and Culture, tackled the different factors that affect how people perceive things depending on the social norms, people and environment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Lastly, the third module focused on Recognizing Gender Realities and Issues wherein the male and female differences are recognized and the various gender issues that need to be addressed and understand were identified.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qGhwdV8AtV-yH5E33ICCKyc-f39anC2IdLlnKmckWRRsh3Y2kR6O0k2DvCJkxIMVX4uR6HWSq_D48IsBYD8h3RWjUVHLfFde9V8Qtq4xJsPGeuyBaO9GVTR3P6yrCyKnpXodtPaHYz4/s1600/gbest3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qGhwdV8AtV-yH5E33ICCKyc-f39anC2IdLlnKmckWRRsh3Y2kR6O0k2DvCJkxIMVX4uR6HWSq_D48IsBYD8h3RWjUVHLfFde9V8Qtq4xJsPGeuyBaO9GVTR3P6yrCyKnpXodtPaHYz4/s640/gbest3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AFC volunteers in Cagayan de Oro each raise a star symbolizing their aspirations
and commitment toward a sustainable and gender equal agri-fishery sector. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Dr. Leo Gallego, Gender Focal Person of the National Irrigation Authority-Rapid Food Production Enhancement Programme (NIA-RAFPEP), shared his expertise and served as the GBEST Learning Facilitator.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">For this year, PCAF was able to facilitate five batches of the GBEST. The training of the first batch was conducted in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last August 25 to 28 and was joined by 27 male and female AFC volunteers. For the second batch, 28 AFCs joined the training which happened at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center in Bula, Camarines Sur from September 8 to 10. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDLC0Te3iz_Dbbj7HiuLdMYnDBGTV3-6bmDswf7Rpu9ygWzZcDk5Cxp1EsbsaQ3T8FKAMgrBqIOSp4Q3WaQVzSmBdUKefYrjJNp4xV1x5EXdytfY7TjzjeZSh4uRpgSUXDT3J2DTJrZA/s1600/gbest4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDLC0Te3iz_Dbbj7HiuLdMYnDBGTV3-6bmDswf7Rpu9ygWzZcDk5Cxp1EsbsaQ3T8FKAMgrBqIOSp4Q3WaQVzSmBdUKefYrjJNp4xV1x5EXdytfY7TjzjeZSh4uRpgSUXDT3J2DTJrZA/s640/gbest4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>All smiles
for fairness and equality.</b> PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan joins the
fourth batch of AFC volunteers from Cagayan de Oro after the three-day workshop
for PCAF’s Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Training. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third batch, which had 24 attendees, was held in Cebu Business Hotel in Cebu City, while the fourth batch was held at the VIP Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City with 33 participants. The final batch was comprised of 25 volunteers and was held at Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the series of GBEST workshops, PCAF CDS Chief Perez believed that AFC volunteers have recognized the right perspective towards sexual preference of individuals which will help them improve their dealings or approaches toward the other members of the AFCs as well as their husbands or wives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the series of GBEST workshops, PCAF CDS Chief Perez believed that AFC volunteers have recognized the right perspective towards sexual preference of individuals which will help them improve their dealings or approaches toward the other members of the AFCs as well as their husbands or wives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Report by: Jez Campaniel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos courtesy of: Capacity Development Section</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more of our latest news, visit http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/</span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-78330455149072281162015-10-26T18:44:00.001-07:002015-11-25T16:58:54.001-08:002015 Gawad Saka national winners named<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L_wu-luBEQaRObN8P2rkb6TV2HdcGYJIz_2oUGYjKThNnXPCdxkiCZBD6mCnl_Gs2G-IYazOEFzVCT5drfQ9ZnshVQmmiu2wDdvMjIuaQzdT1bBxSwleN5nsxEekqjgd8hXrEbr6m4I/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L_wu-luBEQaRObN8P2rkb6TV2HdcGYJIz_2oUGYjKThNnXPCdxkiCZBD6mCnl_Gs2G-IYazOEFzVCT5drfQ9ZnshVQmmiu2wDdvMjIuaQzdT1bBxSwleN5nsxEekqjgd8hXrEbr6m4I/s640/winner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Members of the 2015 Gawad Saka Board of Judges (BOJ)
have recently named the national winners of this year’s Search for Outstanding
Agri-fishery Achievers. Chaired by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and
Fisheries (PCAF), which serves as this year’s National Secretariat, the
deliberation on this year’s national Gawad Saka winners was held at the
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils and Water Management and Bureau of
Agricultural Research Compounds in Diliman, Quezon City. In attendance were representatives
from the private sector, the academe and the media that comprised the BOJ and
the members of the various National Technical Committees (NTCs) for each of the
23 categories. BOJ members came to their decision after careful assessment of
the results of the NTC’s evaluation on the top three finalists under each
category. The 2015 Gawad Saka national winners will receive their respective
awards in a ceremony slated in December. Left photo shows one of the breakout
sessions during the BOJ deliberation. Right photo shows PCAF Executive Director
and 2015 Gawad Saka National Executive Committee Chairperson Ariel Cayanan
receiving the results of the BOJ deliberation as turned over by BOJ member and
radio broadcaster Louie Tabing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Source: </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/deliberation.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/deliberation.php</a></span></span></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075540928605404419.post-52665725994108893112015-10-22T19:30:00.002-07:002015-11-25T17:41:50.710-08:002015 Gawad Saka top 3 finalists picked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85fRaGHL2VX7Icp0QPW1JwkwU0YlbxVef145EiQZGPnWG8mqJwVjVh2aE16VIuMLAAh_XjQvAvqIinpinOWIlhSsE_AA0nKBZsE7P7ZkJnvP-9lL0_aa8fB8AIxKhWakOs1Svsq0wwC0/s1600/agrilink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85fRaGHL2VX7Icp0QPW1JwkwU0YlbxVef145EiQZGPnWG8mqJwVjVh2aE16VIuMLAAh_XjQvAvqIinpinOWIlhSsE_AA0nKBZsE7P7ZkJnvP-9lL0_aa8fB8AIxKhWakOs1Svsq0wwC0/s640/agrilink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a careful selection process, the 2015 Gawad Saka
Search for Outstanding Agriculture and Fisheries Achievers now has its top
three finalists as presented to the National Executive Committee (NEC) last
September 17, 2015 at the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Convention Hall,
Visayas Ave., Quezon City. The top three finalists for the national level of
the Search were selected for each of the 23 Gawad Saka categories following the
field validation and evaluation conducted by the National Technical Committees
(NTCs) which were created for each category. Divided accordingly into three
groups for crops, institutions and research, and livestock and fisheries, the
presentations were rendered by the NTCs during the breakout sessions. Each
group was respectively moderated by Philippine Fiber Industry Development
Authority Dir. Clarito Barron, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Administrative Services Assistant Director Atty. Benjamin Tabios and Dir.
Manuel Jarmin of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).
The final presentation materials on the finalists will be submitted to the
board of judges before their deliberation on October 5. PCAF Executive Director
Ariel Cayanan, who also serves as this year’s Gawad Saka NEC Chairperson, urged
NTC members to continually draw inspiration from one another in ensuring the
success of the Search this year and hoped that everyone’s efforts will help
make Gawad Saka remain a relevant undertaking in the ever-changing
agri-socioeconomic landscape. He also thanked everyone for the support being
given to PCAF which serves as this year’s Gawad Saka National Secretariat.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/finalist.php">http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/finalist.php</a></span></div>
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisherieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774645740561878520noreply@blogger.com0