“This is our first infinity year. We look forward to the double infinity.”
Acting Executive Director Liza Battad expressed her optimism on the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries’ (PCAF) viability to uplift the agri-fishery sector towards and beyond its double infinity year or 8th anniversary in her welcoming message on the agency’s exhibit opening on June 21, 2021.
She shared the eight things that distinguish PCAF’s public service, and these are:
- Participatory Mechanism – unique process of participatory governance
- People – involvement of key stakeholders and technical experts in consultation
- Consultation – adaptation of new ways for consultations
- Policy Development – legislative and sectoral policy agenda
- Policy Recommendations – guide/basis/reference for the department’s decision
- Empowerment – capacitating PCAF employees and key stakeholders
- Partnership Development – involvement of public and private stakeholders
- Network of Stakeholders – far-reaching stakeholders from national to municipal levels and various organizations and representations
The opening of the exhibit, highlighting the theme “It is great to collabor8, elev8, and innov8 A&F sector partner’s participation through PCAF iCARE”, was part of PCAF’s eighth anniversary month-long celebration.
The program was attended by Agriculture Secretary William Dar, former PCAF Executive Director and now Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Ariel Cayanan, and Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications and Department Spokesperson Noel Reyes, and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) CALABARZON Chairperson Pedrito Kalaw.
Other key government officials also sent their warmest greetings through video messages.
In the afternoon program, special awards were presented to the staff and divisions in recognition of their valuable contributions, especially in this time of the pandemic.
Plaques of appreciation were also awarded to retirees with 20 or more years in service. The list included: Magdalena C. Go, Elgie L. Namia, Arsenia A. Perez, Soledad B. Bernardo, Marilyn A. Gonzales, Lyn E. Oguis, Josie C. Riego, Alexander S. Daroya, Diana M. Delos Santos, Endri L. Songcuya, Mario C. Mendoza, Freido I. Prado, and Abraham B. Dollente.
Loyalty award was also given to Juanito Chan, Jr. while posthumous award was dedicated to Raychelle Ayllon.
For the month of June, the agency’s Operating Units organized activities revolving around the terms “Celebr8”, “Collabor8”, “Innov8” and “Elev8” in line with the anniversary theme.
On June 8, the Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division (PMKMD) kickstarted the anniversary activities with its designated category Celebr8. It organized a virtual program to commemorate the World Ocean Day by showing videos related to the theme “The Oceans: Life and Livelihood”.
Desiree Eve Maaño, Chief of the Coastal Marine Ecosystems Management Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was also invited as resource speaker to talk about ocean conservation and the potential role of PCAF in crafting policy recommendations for the sustainability of ocean resources.
The Partnership Development Division (PDD), with the word Collabor8, hosted a stakeholder engagement forum on June 15.
The online forum aimed to showcase the concept of collaboration through the sharing of NGO and LGU stakeholders of their agricultural and fishery programs and projects. The participants were expected to learn from the said sharing and hopefully, mobilize them to advocate in their respective areas.
A midyear major final output (MFO) validation party was held on June 16-17 to review and celebrate the accomplishments of each division.
Mini-games were also conducted as part of the activity’s Fiesta theme. | JCL
