Agri-line agencies strenghtenMLGUs for PAFES programs

The Agri-line Government Agencies have continued to strengthen the Municipal Local Government Units
(MLGUs) to become ready for the full implementation of devolution for agricultural programs due to the expected
increase of National Tax Collection (NTC) to be received by the Local Government Units (LGUs) based on the
Mandanas Ruling.

The agencies such as Department of Agriculture (DA-7), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA),
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Irrigation
Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Academe (BISU),
Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)
introduced the establishment of Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAPES) in the province
of Bohol.

Cecile Opada from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 during the PAFES Mide-Year Assessment Workshop
last Wednesday held at the Bohol Farm, Dao, Dauis said that the PAFES has been introduced here in Bohol for
almost three years during the time of Former Gov. Art Yap when Former DA Secretary William Dar had chosen the
province as pilot area for PAFES.

Merigine Otara from Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 7 who gave the rationale of the assessment said the
establishment of the PAFES is one of the identified strategies under One DA Agenda which aims to address the long

• standing battle-neck and challenges in agri-fishery extension especially the need to harmonize the institutional
  arrangement to integrate and strengthen extension services at the provincial level.
  She added that in order to operationalize the system, each province is encouraged to establish its Province-led
  Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (PAFEC) and identify multi-disciplinary technical person with the strong
  partnership of different stakeholders who are implementing different agri-fishery programs and projects in their
  respective province.
  Otara emphasized that PAFEC serves as the extension hub and harmonize the different extension agri-fishery
  programs and services in most efficient, effective and responsive to the needs of the farmers and fisherfolks.
  However, she clarified that there is a need to review the implementation process, reflect and recalculate for a better
  and smooth implementation.
  Ramil Rodela, Team Leader Extension Communication presented the PAFEC accomplishment for 1 st  Semester
  FY 2024 in Bohol.
  Rodela said that the province through the agri-line agencies had already conducted the following activities in
  relations to PAFES: Rice Technicians Meeting, Agri-fishery Consultative Meeting, Corn and Cassava Technicians
  Meeting, HVCC Technicians Meeting, Fishery Technicians Meeting, Preparatory Meeting for Benchmarking of
  PAFES Davao, PAFES Project Management Team with MAs/MAOs/CAs Meeting,

Coaching and Critiquing of Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Development Plans of which 47 municipalities
already passed their draft output, Agri-Resiliency Barangay Volunteer Technician Training, Provincial Coordinating
Committee on Agri-Fishery (PCCAF) Meeting, Sandugo Agri-Fair, Kadiwa ng Pangulo and Organic Festival.
Rodela said the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Development Plan is important for consolidation to identify
priorities to form the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Development Plan.

He said that the province has already created the Devolution Transition Plan defining the programs to be retained
or devolved to the Local Government Units (LGUs).

In the devolution, the national programs from DA to be devolved to the LGUs are: Seeds, Fertilizers,
Infrastructure, Farm Machineries, and Agri-business; while the program to be retained to the DA is the Research and
Development.

Dr. Leo S. Pelletero, Regional PAFES Director said that he has a high hope that the implementation of PAFES in
Bohol would be successful.

Pelletero disclosed that Bohol will be the host province for the National Assessment of PAFES this coming
November 25-29, 2024 at the Blue Water Resort in Panglao to be attended by 78 PAFEC Directors all over the
country.

For an in behalf of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Executive Assistant Nunila M. Pinat relayed the
message of the governor that he is elated that Bohol is one of the PAFES provinces.

Pinat said that we need to harmonize our agricultural programs for the development of the countryside.
In this endeavour, the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) would be encouraged to give agriculture the priority in
their developmental plans.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, the PAFEC Director in her closing statement thanked the strong
participation of the agri-line government agencies in the in the Mid-Year Assessment Workshop.

She said that she is looking forward for the very successful implementation of PAFES in Bohol as Assistant
Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas in his welcome message also thanked the participants. By Atoy Cosap