Engr. Cayanan lays out thrusts as NAFC’s new leader

Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala extends a congratulatory handshake to Engr. Ariel Cayanan who gladly accepted NAFC’s flag from then OIC Executive Director Noel Juliano during the formal handover of the agency’s leadership last March 8 at the BSWM Convention Hall. Looking on is DA Assistant Secretary and Supervising Officer of the Secretary to NAFC Salvador Salacup.

In a symbolic ceremony held on March 8 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall, newly appointed Acting Executive Director of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) Engr. Ariel T. Cayanan gratefully accepted the duties and responsibilities that came along with his appointment as the leader of the agency.

High officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) family, NAFC’s partners from the private and government sectors and Engr. Cayanan’s family and friends bore witness as DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, together with DA Assistant Secretary and Supervising Officer of the Secretary to NAFC Salvador S. Salacup and NAFC Acting Deputy Executive Director Noel A. Juliano, ceremoniously passed on to Engr. Cayanan the flag of the NAFC during the handover ceremony of the agency leadership.

Engr. Cayanan’s appointment as NAFC’s Acting Executive Director was signed by His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III on February 20 through the auspices of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture. On February 29, Engr. Cayanan took his oath of office to the Agriculture Secretary.

In his message during the handover ceremony, Sec. Alcala expressed high hopes for NAFC under the new stewardship.
“Under the leadership of Engr. Cayanan, I expect NAFC to be an active mediator of the DA with the farmers, fishermen and local officials through the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils (RAFCs), Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Councils (PAFCs) and Municipal Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils (MAFCs),”
Sec. Alcala said. Sec. Alcala also emphasized the integral part that NAFC plays in the overall mandate of the Department, particularly in the effective implementation of its programs and services under the Agri-Pinoy framework.
“NAFC is our institutional linkage to the different groups that the Department works with in fulfilling its duties. It is the channel where information, technology and assistance to DA partners, especially the local government units, RAFC, PAFC and MAFC, flow,” Sec. Alcala stated.

Sec. Alcala also underscored NAFC’s task of ensuring speedier delivery of services to the stakeholders through the US-PL480 and 2KR funds.

He further stressed his thrust to bring in NAFC on the government’s campaign for good governance especially as it serves as the face of the DA to its regional partners.

“Malaki na ang naisulong natin sa tuwid na daan. Mahalaga ang papel ng DA-NAFC na ituwid ang lahat ng mga pamamaraan mula budget, project implementation, at monitoring. Ang ating pananagutan sa matuwid na pamamalakad ay dapat maipamalas sa loob at labas ng kagawaran,” he added.

In his acceptance speech, 39-year-old Engr. Cayanan expressed his gratefulness for the opportunity that’s been given to him to serve and be part of the DA family.

He also laid out his thrusts in carrying out his role as NAFC’s new head, giving focus on strengthening partnerships with the consultation bodies, the Agriculture and Fishery Councils (AFCs) and the National Sectoral Committees, and the private sector.

“For our partners in the AFCs, we will continue working on ensuring the sustainability of your operations. We will also work to strengthen and enhance the membership and image of the AFCs. In return, we hope for your unrelenting cooperation and support in addressing the needs of our clientele especially the farmers and fishermen in the countryside,” he said.

He also appealed for their cooperation and support to ensure that NAFC’s mandated tasks are carried out both effectively and efficiently.

“For our private sector partners, we will carry on our duty of providing you technical and administrative assistance in our meetings and other undertakings. We may not be able to provide you everything but rest assured that we will always be there with you up to the best we can,” he added.

Meanwhile, ASec. Salacup, who served as the agency’s Officer-in-Charge Executive Director for about two weeks before Engr. Cayanan’s appointment, shared his advice to the latter after learning of his designation.
“I told Engr. Cayanan that we just have to look at the Agri-Pinoy Framework that Sec. Alcala and PNoy crafted and we surely won’t lose our way,” he said.

He added that under his and Engr. Cayanan’s partnership, the needs and grievances of the private sectors will be heard and acted upon.

“To our private sector bosses, our champions, rest assured that we will always abide by the dictates of what NAFC is all about—that being as the sounding board of the private sector,” he said.

see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2012/newleader.html

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