𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐃 𝐗𝐈𝐈, 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2026 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬
The Department of Agriculture – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED) Region XII, in collaboration with the Provincial, City, and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato Provinces, initiated coordination meetings to lay the groundwork for the DA-FY 2026 Plan and Budget Proposals (PBP) for Agricultural Machinery, Equipment, Irrigation, and Facilities Support Services.
These activities were conducted at Agua Frio Garden Resort in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, for South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Provinces on January 14, Venue 88 Resorts and Hotel, General Santos City, for Sarangani Province and General Santos City on January 16, and Ace Resto Function Hall, Midsayap, Cotabato, for Cotabato Province on January 17.
To ensure proper planning and efficient implementation of projects, the initiative aimed to coordinate with LGUs across Region XII to review and prioritize target beneficiaries based on the “shovel-readiness” of their proposals.
Furthermore, the activities highlighted the importance of assessing the completeness and feasibility of the proposals, particularly their compliance with enabling documents to ensure the clarity, accountability, and the effective delivery of integrated support services for all project proposals.
The preparation of plans and budget proposals for FY 2026 was aligned with the mandated guidelines under DA Memorandum Circular No. 41, Series of 2024, which outlined the policy framework, qualifications for project recipients, documentary requirements, and implementation mechanics for the provision of agricultural machinery, equipment, irrigation, and facilities.
Among the key officials present during the coordination meetings were Director Roberto T. Perales, Regional Executive Director of DA-RFO XII; Dr. Jocelyn F. Torres, Chief of DA-RAED XII; Rey M. Domingo, Chief of the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) of Cotabato Province; and Jocelyn S. Misterio, Chief of the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO) of Sarangani Province.
The meetings were also attended by the Provincial, City, and Municipal Agriculturists, along with the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer representatives from the city, municipal, and provincial LGUs within the region.