SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla convened all the heads of the DA’s attached agencies, bureaus and corporations in Bicol in the first Regional Management Committee (RMC) Meeting for CY 2023. The meeting was held at the DA compound on February 7, 2023.

All the heads or representatives of the DA family are present in the said meeting and presented brief updates on their respective programs and activities. From the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Center Director Elsa Parot was present. Also present were PhilFIDA OIC Director Mary Anne R. Molina; National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) OIC Dr. Domingo D. Gonzaga; Ariel U. Pioquinto, Regional Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); Danilo L. Doblon, Regional Manager of Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) – National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS);. Mateo B. Zipagan, Regional  Manager of the  Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA); Gabriel Atole, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Regional Officer; Dr. Emmanuel N. Villafuerte, Regional Vet Quarantine Officer of the  Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI); Marites R. Reyes Chief of National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS). For the other attached agencies, the heads were also well represented: Engr. Melanie Aileen Peralta from PhilRICE; Edgar Gadbilao, Assistant Branch Manager of National Food Authority (NFA) Cam. Sur and Cam. Norte representing the new Regional Manager;  Engr. Carlton Samson from Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA); Engr. Eden Cuya from National Irrigation Administration (NIA); Engr. Joseph Corporal from  PhilMEC; Engr. Rommel Dreu  from Bulan Fishport PFDA and Michael Jordan O. Roquid from Agricultural Credit Policy Council Bicol.

Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, Chief of the Field Operations Division presented the FY 2023 DA Plans, Thrusts and Priorities  based on the discussions during the recent DA Management Committee Meeting held in Region 4A on February 1-3, 2023. In her report, the emphasis was on the DA’s 4 thrusts and strategic agenda towards a food and nutrition-secure Philippines, which are: 1) Boosting local production and raising farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income; 2) Developing strong value chains through the delivery of quality services; 3) Ensuring access to affordable, safe and nutritious food that benefit all Filipinos; 4) Institutionalizing policy reforms to enhance efficiency and accelerate the modernization of the sector.

Rice Program focal person Earl Vincent Vegas also presented the 2023 targets for seeds and fertilizer assistance and other interventions to rice farmers.

Meanwhile, Danilo Lucena, Regional Statistical Officer of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) discussed the agriculture sector performance for the year 2021.

Also present during the RMC meeting were chiefs of the DA’s divisions and operating units. (Lovella P. Guarin)