The Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) was in Bicol recently to lead the Provincial/Municipal/ City Local Government Unit (P/M/CLGU) Workshop on the Localization of the National Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan 2023-2028. The workshop was in collaboration with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) led by Engr. Jerry Eboña and was held at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City last August 13-15, 2024

The three-day workshop was attended by representatives of Local Government Units. More than 100 LGU Officials and Agricultural Extension Worker (AEW) participated from the Province of Camarines Sur and 30 from Province of Camarines Norte.

Kevin R. Remorosa, presented the GeoAgri System. GeoAgri, is an interactive mapping application that displays information on Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) projects. This could include information on Agri-Fisheries Machinery and Rural Infrastructure Projects, such as irrigation, post-harvest facilities, fisheries facilities, livestock facilities, renewable energy in Bicol.

Engr. Rustom G. Villegas shared the criteria for processing proposals for FMRs and the Digitalization of DILG Local and other Road Networks. Hands-on Activities were also conducted to input data and update network maps by province/district/city and municipality in agricultural production areas, fisheries, coastal areas, facilities and markets. Some selected municipalities in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur also made a presentation of their output. Meanwhile, Engr. Michaelangelo Severa of DILG discussed the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan (CLUP).

Engr. Juana T. Tapel, Assistant Director of DA-BAFE discussed the policy and directives on the creation of the positions of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABE) in the provinces, cities and municipalities. Some mayors shared their ABE Appointees, such as Libmanan in Camarines Sur, Labo and Vinzons in Camarines Norte. The workshop culminated with the signing of the Commitment Wall participated by DA-BAFE and members of the Regional Management Councils (RMC) such as Department of Agriculture

(DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and mayors. (Angela Mae Lafuente – RAFIS 5)