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In a meeting convened on March 27, 2014 at the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Convention Hall in Diliman, Quezon City, representatives of the different government agencies, private entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, farmer associations and women groups that compose the NAF Council supported the 2015 plan and budget proposal for the agriculture and fishery sectors.
The proposed budget is 68% higher than last year’s budget under the General Appropriations Act. With these funds, the DA hopes to achieve its subsector outcomes based on the Philippine Development Plan and DA Performance-Informed Budget Indicators which are increased productivity, forward linkage to the industry and services sector, and sector’s resilience to climate change, especially in light of the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda last year.
The budget was also crafted towards achieving inclusive growth and in line with the country’s preparation for the ASEAN economic integration.
For 2015, the DA has proposed PhP360 Million for agriculture and fishery policy services and PhP20.8 Billion for technical and support services which include production support services, market development services and extension support, education and training services, and research and development.
Funds for irrigation network services under the budget proposal are worth PhP54.3 Billion; farm-to-market road network services, PhP20 Billion; agricultural equipment and facilities, PhP9.2 Billion; agriculture and fishery regulation services, PhP3.2 Billion; and, credit support services, PhP2 Billion.
In line with its goal to attain and sustain rice self-sufficiency by 2015, DA has proposed PhP10.3 Billion for the rice program. The proposed budget for the livestock program is PhP2.9 Billion, corn program PhP3 Billion, high value crops PhP2.7 Billion, and organic program PhP1.4 Billion.
Aside from the crafted interventions, the DA will also consider the recommendations of the NAF Council members during the said meeting which include private sector participation in monitoring agri-fishery projects, the completion of the delineation of municipal waters, insurance for the livestock sector, and speeding up the formulation of vulnerability maps in Yolanda-affected areas to aid the rehabilitation efforts.
NAF Council members also sought for the creation of a task force or a technical working group (TWG) that will formulate guidelines in the implementation of fishery projects to ensure that these projects address the need of the sector and support the goal on inclusive growth.
Coconut industry stakeholders also called on the DA to order the creation of a TWG of experts that will tackle the worsening problem on scale insect infestation.
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The said NAF Council meeting was attended by officials from 13 line agencies, 10 CSOs, eight National Sectoral Committees and five Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala thanked the members of the private sector, CSOs, NGOs and other groups for helping the Department ensure that the funds are spent appropriately.
“We hope that we can continue this partnership to enhance transparency which our President constantly promotes. We are always open to your inputs on other programs that will help increase the income of our farmers and fishermen,” he said.
see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2014/cso.html
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