PCAF Volunteers’ Day: A tribute to outstanding AFC chairpersons and coordinators

Unceasing contribution of valued time, talent, skills and resources.

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.

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.

The event was the highlight of PCAF’s celebration of its inaugural Volunteers’ Day.

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.

The AFC is PCAF’s mechanism for private sector participation in the agriculture and fisheries development processes at the regional, provincial and municipal level.

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.

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.

The Voice and Bridges of Agriculture and Fishery Sector

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.

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.

Last year’s DA-Gawad Saka Outstanding PAFC was awarded to PAFC Quirino Province, under the leadership of Dante Tobias.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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)

Source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/afc-chair.php

2016 National Women's Month Celebration

PCAF sizes up Performance intensifies partnership with NSC and AFC

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. 

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Participatory Planning

As part of the planning and workshop, Exec. Dir. Cayanan also presented the agency’s accomplishment highlights from 2010 to 2014.

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.

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.

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.

PCAF also declared its 2016 Work Plan and Budget, and Key Challenges and Plan of Actions for fiscal year for 2016 and 2017.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

PCAF sets directions for 2016

PCAF employees listen attentively to Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan as the latter gives his instructions during the agency’s 2016 GA.

“We need to work harder and work as a team.”

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.

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).

However, he also stressed that there is a need for necessary improvements.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meanwhile, PMKMD Chief Estrella Tulay also presented the agency’s work plan and budget which will be implemented this 2016.

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.

KRA is the general output or outcome that a department or an agency is expected to be delivered.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

source: http://pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/pcaf-sets-directions.php

A grant to continue the road to natural way of farming.

Ben Gagelonia, chairperson of the Science City of Muñoz-City Agriculture and Fishery Council (CAFC), graciously receives two checks worth Php300,000 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.

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.

PCAF secures agreement to reactivate Olongapo City AFC

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.

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.

   

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.

Source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2016/secures.php

Cooperation is the key

“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.”

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.

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.

source: http://www.pcaf.da.gov.ph/news/2015/gawadsakaPICC2.php