The national validation team of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries is at the DA Regional Office this week for the National Field Validation of Shortlisted Nominees for 2024’s Outstanding AFC Achievers.

Aloha Gigi Bañaria, RAFC REO and Chief of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) gladly welcomed the national validating team while Bernadette delos Santos, RAFC Bicol Chairperson presented the various accomplishments of the council.

The National Validating Team for Outstanding AFC Executive Committee category were Emelita V. Danganan; Merlyn R. Galdonez; Alvin D. Racho; Winsor A. Gaudario. For the Outstanding AFC Chairperson: Raymark Maruquez; Conchita S. Del Rosario; Christopher A. Dela Rosa; Fraulein Ronquillo. For the Outstanding REO/Secretariat Coordinator: Carmelo Arce; Nicky Joseph Yagumyum; Alpha Joy Fallesgon. And for the Outstanding Sectoral Committee: Troadio U. Montemayor; Carleen Marie D. Salas; Jairra D. Maala; and Rachel R. Marcaisa.

RAFC Bicol garnered the highest number of national awards (14 awards) during the 9th National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteer’s Day in December 2023.

For this year’s search, RAFC Bicol volunteers were shortlisted on the following categories:

Search for Outstanding Achiever Award (Council) – RAFC 5 / RAFC Bicol

Search for Outstanding Chairperson – Bernadette B. Delos Santos – Chairperson, RAFC 5

Search for Outstanding Sectoral Committees:

• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Sectoral Committee – Rebecca S. Purisima – Chairperson, GESI Sectoral Committee

• Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources Sectoral Committee – Bernadette B. Delos Santos – Chairperson, CCENR Sectoral Committee

Search for Outstanding RAFC Executive Officer – Aloha Gigi I. Bañaria.

(Writer: Angela Mae Lafuente, DA RAFIS V) Some photos courtesy of Irvin Morco – PMED)