In a strategic move to bolster collaboration, the Philippine Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) has pioneered an innovative approach to agency engagement through courtesy meetings, showcasing its commitment to a responsive and inclusive agriculture and fisheries sector.
PCAF spearheaded two significant courtesy visits: First, the National Sectoral Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSC-FA), led by Chairperson Ms. Dinna L. Umengan and PCAF OIC Deputy Executive Director Mr. Cyril L. Soliaban, engaged with newly appointed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Elizer S. Salilig on February 11, 2025. A key innovation highlighted during the PCAF’s visit was the Committee’s plan to conduct separate, targeted consultations for capture fisheries, aquaculture, and the salt industry. This addresses the need for focused discussions on industry-specific concerns, a departure from traditional broad multistakeholder consultations. Furthermore, the committee presented a proposed collaborative/dialogue with the Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) and key stakeholders of Region V, specifically targeting tuna hardliners. Director Salilig’s support underscored the value of this regional approach, utilizing a collaborative effort to address grassroots challenges.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both PCAF and BFAR reaffirming their commitment to collaboration. Key areas for future cooperation include multistakeholder consultations, knowledge sharing, and joint advocacy initiatives. Hence, the strengthened partnership is expected to enhance stakeholder engagement, leading to more inclusive and well-informed policies that will benefit the Philippine fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Similarly, on March 6, 2025, PCAF OIC Executive Director Julieta E. Opulencia led a courtesy meeting with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), headed by Director Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban. This meeting centered on the newly established National Sub-Committee on Onion under the National Sectoral Committee on Fruits and Vegetables. The creation of the Sub-Committee was a response to pressing industry challenges identified during the PCAF National Onion Stakeholders’ Consultation held in Dagupan in 2024.
Acknowledging that some industry concerns extend beyond the existing BPI’s Monthly Allium Stakeholders’ Consultation, the PCAF NSC-Onion is crucial in facilitating interagency and multi-stakeholder consultations at the national level and crafting well-informed policy resolutions and recommendations that benefit the sector. This strategic partnership aims to ensure that unresolved issues from monthly meetings are escalated to NSC-Onion discussions, facilitating effective policy resolutions. In discussing industry concerns and committee operations, Director Panganiban affirmed BPI’s openness to collaboration with PCAF and its stakeholders.
With these collaborative efforts, the Philippine onion industry is set to benefit from a more coordinated and inclusive approach, ensuring sustainability and resilience for all stakeholders involved.
This innovative approach promotes a more open environment for both agencies and relevant committees, resulting in streamlined coordination, enhanced accessibility and communication, and more transparent and collaborative policy development within the agriculture and fisheries sectors. | PCAF-PDCD
