The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) kicked off the National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day (NVD) celebration with a Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) operational meeting on December 12, 2022.
All 16 RAFC Chairpersons, along with the RAFC Executive Officers and Coordinators, participated in the activity with the aim of enhancing their operational activities alongside the PCAF’s Partnership Development Division (PDD).
PCAF Executive Director Nestor Domenden opened the event, hoping that the venue aids the AFCs in expressing their issues and improving their consultation and other participatory processes.
“Sana makatulong ang operational meeting na ito para mas mapaganda natin ang mga proseso at outputs natin para sa ika-aayos ng sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan,” Dir. Domenden said.
Charmine Joy Esta of the PDD presented the 2022 AFC Accomplishments regarding the number of consultations conducted, policy resolutions drafted, and local issues resolved.
The accomplishments per region were not revealed as this will be the basis for the selection in the National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day awarding the next day.
After the presentation, PDD held an open forum where the AFCs shared their operational concerns in their respective regions.
PDD Chief Melinda Quinones assured the AFCs that PCAF is trying its best to continuously help address their issues and coordinate them with the Department of Agriculture and concerned national government agencies.
“Kung ano man ang meron tayo ay pagyayamanin natin. Kung wala, ay hahanap pa rin tayo ng paraan,” Quinones said.
Some participants shared their best practices to help other regions resolve their local issues. These included the conduct of frequent dialogues with the local government units and the suggestion of implementing a planting calendar to manage the under or overproduction of certain commodities.
The PCAF will conduct the National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day on December 13, 2022 to recognize the AFCs and the National Banner Program Committees’ contributions toward the development of Philippine Agriculture. | JCL
