NAGA CITY – Consistent with the Budget Call for FY 2025, the Department of Agriculture recently completed the 5-day Internal Budget Hearing (IBH) on the Department’s FY 2025 Plan and Budget Proposals in this city on March 18-22, 2024. This is a preparatory stage on the finalization of the FY 2025 Plan and Budget Proposal of the department.
In attendance were undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, directors of DA bureaus, attached agencies and corporations; heads of banner program directorates and project directors of locally funded and foreign assisted projects.
Also present were the Regional Executive Directors of all the DA regional offices in the country accompanied by their Regional Technical Directors and Planning Officers or Budget Officers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. also participated in the IBH via online platform. He urged all operating units to make proposals aimed at increasing agricultural production, supported by postharvest facilities.
Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations Atty. Asis G. Perez presided over the budget hearing. He was joined by Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro and Atty. Alvin John F. Balagbag, Undersecretary for DA Inspectorate and Enforcement and Chief of Staff.
Undersecretary Perez said that one of the key aspects of updated planning process is the increased involvement of the stakeholders in the preparation stage as emphasized in the National Budget Call or the adoption of the Open Government Partnership to ensure sustainability of budget and national reforms. He also underscored the strong participation of the Agri-Fishery Councils (AFCs) and CSOs in the successful operationalization of the DA’s plans and budget.
Also present were Engr. Christopher V. Morales, Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development; Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate; Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, Undersecretary for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); Undersecretary for DA Bureaus Mercedita A. Sombilla; Undersecretary for Attached Agencies and Corporations Agnes Catherine T. Miranda; Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor B. Savellano; Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for Official Development Assistance Jerome V. Oliveros; Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad – Caballero; and Atty. Roland A. Tulay, OIC Office of Undersecretary for Administration.
DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla welcomed the whole DA family. He showcased the status of agriculture in Bicol.
According to the DBM, the budgeting for the national government involves four (4) distinct processes or phases: budget preparation, budget authorization, budget execution and accountability. While distinctly separate, these processes overlap in the implementation during a budget year. Budget preparation for the next budget year proceeds while government agencies are executing the budget for the current year and at the same time engaged in budget accountability and review of the past year’s budget (www.dbm.gov.ph).
The DA’s FY 2025 budget is aligned with the department’s thrusts and priorities to attain the twin goals of Masaganang Agrikultura at Maunlad na Ekonomiya tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas. ( Lovella P. Guarin – RAFIS 5) (Photo credits: Eduardo Collantes, Jr and Hermito Antonio Privaldos – RAFIS 5)