In preparation for the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (RAFMP) updating on 2017, the Regional Project Coordination 1 (RPCO 1) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) assessed the latter’s performance on meeting targets in the RAFMP from 2011 to 2015, and identified lessons learned from previous RAFMP projects in an RAFMP Workshop at Hotel Ariana, Paringao, Bauang, La Union on June 17, 2016.

The RAFMP is the ‘blueprint’ of the Department of Agriculture’s RFO-1 (DA-RFO 1) regular programs. It was last updated in 2010 and was based on the barangay, municipal and provincial agricultural profiles.

RAFMP is significant in the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) as it is a factor considered in commodity prioritization. A commodity cannot be prioritized in PRDP if it is not included in the RAFMP.

During the workshop, each of the Ilocos Provinces composed of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, IPLAN staff members and Representatives of the Banner Programs (Livestock, Corn, Rice and HVCDP) commented on the questionnaires used to generate the agricultural profiles of barangays, municipalities and provinces; and, on the implementation of the AFMP.

For the agriculture sector profile questionnaire, they have included emerging commodities like dragon fruit, cacao and coffee. They are priority commodities in Region 1 under the PRDP. For the fishery sector profile questionnaire, they have added categories in aquaculture to detail the production and area of commodities (e.g. Sea Weeds, Sea Cucumber), and interventions available to fisherfolks.

The workshop also captured the gaps in the agriculture and fishery sectors of Ilocos Region. In general, the production of various agricultural commodities in Region 1 has increased. All participants praised the continuous support programs implemented by the Department of Agriculture.

However, fluctuations in volume of production were also observed in almost all agricultural commodities due to typhoons and pest infestation.  Meanwhile, the fishery sector, particularly of Pangasinan, is affected by the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. According to Ms. Zenaida Ugaban, Provincial Fisheries Coordinator of Pangasinan, the fishing sites for fisher folks in the municipalities of Infanta, Dasol, Burgos and Agno were reduced.

With regards to the implementation of the RAFMP, the workshop revealed that AFMPs are not fully utilized by the LGUs. According to the participants, project priorities of the LGU administration greatly affect the implementation of AFMP.

The updating of the RAFMP will be accomplished through a series of workshops. In August 2016, another workshop will be conducted to update the Provincial/Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plans. (Ilocos InfoACE)