𝐃𝐀-𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐄, 𝐃𝐀, 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆, 𝐃𝐏𝐖𝐇, 𝐍𝐈𝐀, 𝐃𝐀𝐑, 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓, 𝐃𝐎𝐓, 𝐋𝐂𝐄𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏/𝐂/𝐌𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐌𝐑𝐍𝐏 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝟏𝟐
The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII) through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) and in collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), partner government agencies, and Local Chief Executives (LCEs) or their designated representatives from various Provincial, City, and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) within the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, collectively affirmed their commitment to the formulation, implementation, and updating of the Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan (FMRNP) 2023-2028 across the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani during the culmination of the three-day localization of the FMRNP workshop on August 15 at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.
The initiative aimed to enhance road network maps and market connectivity for farmers, aligning with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the improvement of infrastructure connecting rural farms to urban markets, thereby facilitating easy and efficient road access for the delivery of agricultural products.
Among the government officials who pledged their commitment to the formulation, implementation, and updating of the five-year FMRNP were the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) or their representatives from various provinces, cities, and municipalities, along with representatives from the Congressional Districts of General Santos City and Cotabato 1st District, namely Engr. Teddy Dumagan and Nicanor T. Nanlasi, respectively, and Hon. Jonathan Tabara, a board member from the Cotabato Province.
Multi-agency collaboration was also highlighted as key personnel from the various regional offices affirmed their commitment to the formulation of the FMRNP. Among these key personnel were Director Roberto T. Perales and Engr. Abraham M. Onotan, the Regional Executive Director and Regional Technical Director for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture – RFO XII, respectively; Engr. Hermina S. Ontoy, Chief of the PDMU of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII; Engr. Rosie C. Javate, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII; Babai K. Tagittcan, Chief Science Research Specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XII; Engr. Cory Hazel Daasin, Supervising Engineer A of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) XII; and Engr. Charisma D. Valdez from the Program Beneficiary Division of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The Department of Tourism (DOT) was duly represented by Donita Andres, Tourism Operations Officer II, who signified her participation on the first day of the localization of the FMRNP workshop.
Director of DA-BAFE, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico, emphasized the pivotal roles and responsibilities of the Local Government Units (LGUs), along with partnerships with other government agencies, highlighting their essential role in supporting rural development through well-maintained road networks. “With a harmonized collaboration with partner agencies, the adoption of the FMRNP can be pivotal in establishing an efficient road network by improving and interconnecting linkages between key agricultural and fisheries production areas and markets in the Philippines,” Engr. Rico stated.
He further stated that through this workshop, government officials and partner agencies will gain a comprehensive understanding of their commitments and crucial roles in collaborating to establish a strategic framework and an integrated planning and implementation approach to FMR development and management in Region 12.
Engr. Rosie C. Javate, Assistant Regional Director of DPWH XII, asserted, “It is high time for an imperative convergence with other government agencies, particularly to improve existing road fragments through comprehensive planning, such as the Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan.”
Dr. Jocelyn F. Torres, Chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of DA XII, underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts to achieve the objectives of the FMRNP by utilizing digital tools like the GEOAGRI map to streamline the planning and implementation of FMR projects. Dr. Torres further highlighted that the GEOAGRI system includes a comprehensive map layer showing the location and status of agricultural machinery, post harvest facilities, and farm-to-market roads, allowing for region-specific data filtering.
DILG Central Office Undersecretary for Project Development Management, Atty. Odilon Pasaraba, in his virtual message, also underscored the significance of the formulation and updating of the FMRNP and acknowledged the importance of these initiatives for local government units (LGUs) and assured its support, encouraging LGUs to seek assistance through various programs, including the Financial Assistance for Local Government Units (FALGU).
In addition to integrating infrastructure governance and digitizing road networks in the crafting of the FMRNP, policy directives on the creation of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) units were discussed by Director Ariodear Rico to strengthen and devolve key functions and responsibilities of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at the LGU level.
The signing of the commitment wall for the formulation, implementation, and updating of the FMRNP, alongside the discussion of policy directives for the creation of ABE units at LGUs, marked the culmination of the three-day workshop on the crafting of the five-year development plan of the FMRNP at the Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.
On the second day of the workshop, the key roles and responsibilities of LGUs in prioritizing projects for road maintenance and sustainable development of the FMR were discussed by Engr. Hermina S. Ontoy, Chief of the PDMU of DILG XII. This discussion encompassed the comprehensive planning, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of projects from the pre-implementation phase to the completion stage.
Participants engaged in hands-on activities related to the data build-up and updating of network maps by province, district, city, and municipality in agricultural and fisheries production areas, coastal landing sites, post-harvest facilities, and markets on the first day. Selected provincial, city, and municipal LGUs in the SOCCSKSARGEN region presented their output during the workshop.
│ Engr. Bench Mark Corporal
│ RAFIS – DA RFO XII