In a significant step towards strengthening local development policies and programs for agriculture and fishery sectors, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Legal Service and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct a write shop on June 14, 2023, at the Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.

The event’s main objective was to finalize the DA-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular, which seeks to provide comprehensive support to local Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as essential volunteer-private sector partners.

“The significance of this joint circular cannot be overstated. It focuses on extending full support to the local Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) as valuable volunteer-private sector partners in implementing local development policies, plans, and programs,” said PCAF Executive Director Nestor D. Domenden.

During the event, AFC Cluster Representatives – Engr. Francisco Hernandez, Bernadette Delos Santos, Stephen Santillan, and Christopher Lindo – had the opportunity to address challenges, share best practices, and discuss the support provided by their respective LGUs to the AFCs.

Participants were presented with the draft DA-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular, actively contributing their inputs and suggestions to refine the draft circular and encourage support for its implementation.

Also in attendance were League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Executive Vice President for Operations and Caoayan Mayor Germelina Singson-Goulart; Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) National Chairman and Malabon Vice Mayor Bernard Dela Cruz; Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) National President and Councilor Handy Vertext Lao; and representatives from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), and League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).

 

 

 

 

“We encourage you to carry the momentum generated here back to your respective organizations. Through your collective efforts, we can translate the vision outlined in the Joint Memorandum Circular into impactful actions on the ground,” said Domenden in his closing remarks.

By promoting effective partnerships between AFCs and LGUs, this initiative aims to foster sustainable agricultural and fishery practices for the benefit of communities across the Philippines. | MQ