The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) through its Partnership Development Division (PDD) convenes more than 200 Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) Chairpersons and Secretariat-Coordinators nationwide for the AFC Operational Meeting/Knowledge Unloading on December 6, 2017 at Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City.

The gathering was a tidbit for the National Volunteers’ Day celebration honoring the exemplary performance of PCAF partner stakeholders in the government and private sectors. The event also served as the general assembly of PCAF volunteer-partners in formulating sound policies for the agriculture and fisheries sector.

PDD Assistant Division Chief Soledad Bernardo presented the objectives of the meeting while PDD Chief Elgie Namia highlighted the AFC accomplishment reports. Ms. Namia applauded the body for a significant improvement in crafting comprehensive policy resolutions and resolving local issues/concerns. She also gave recognition to the regional, provincial, city and municipal AFCs for surpassing their 2017 targets and encouraged other AFCs with under accomplishment to work harder.

Section chiefs also presented their corresponding targets for the year 2018. Floreliz Avellana, Chief of Social Mobilization Section for the AFC consultations; Arsenia Perez, Chief of Capability Development Section for the AFC trainings and Marilyn Gonzales, Staff of Volunteer Management Section for the AFC support activities.   

Photo above shows (left) Gerard Neri Arañas of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Office of Undersecretary for Special Concerns conducting orientation on the DA’s take on federalism and (right) Dr. Nerlita Manalili of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) presenting the DAP’s result of the study on the Review on Laws and Regulations to Enhance Policy Environment towards Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization. – JD