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Archives
April 1-15, 2000
2001 budget proposals for R&D
reviewed
by Rita T. dela Cruz
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the National
Budget Memorandum No. 90 of the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM), the Bureau of Agricultural Research
(BAR) will review the FY 2001 budget proposals for agriculture
and fisheries R&D of the NaRDSAF member agencies.
A technical budget hearing was held on 5-7 April 2000
at Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon City.
BAR will check these proposals for compliance
with the goals and thrusts of AFMA, and determine whether
they are in line with the Integrated RDE programs at
the national and regional levels. This, to avoid duplication
or overlapping of R&D activities as well as to maximize
the use of resources.
The three-day event was conducted by BAR
in collaboration with PCARRD and PCAMRD. Convened during
this activity were participants from the Regional Integrated
Agricultural Research Centers (RIARCs) and the Regional
Integrated Fisheries Research Centers (RIFRCs); DA Staff
Bureaus and attached agencies; and state colleges and
universities (SCUs) to submit their respective R&D
programs with the corresponding budget proposals. The
activity was officiated by BAR Director Eliseo R. Ponce.
Procedure
The review and approval of R&D program
and budget proposal is split into two phases. The first
phase is the budget proposal preparation and review
process of the agency involved. The proponents of the
project must submit a capsule proposal for initial review
and prioritization by their respective agencies for
inclusion to the 2001 funding. The preparation of their
R&D program and budget proposal must be based on
the institution's mandate and included in the Integrated
RDE Agenda and Program.
The proposal must also be endorsed by
the agency head. BAR will then review these proposals
with the help of RDE Networks. After issuance of certification,
BAR will endorse the program and budget to the DA Secretary
and thereafter the DBM.
The second phase will cover the R&D
project review and funding process, which will start
in July. During this stage, the proponents prepare a
detailed proposal of their R&D projects included
in the agency's approved R&D budget. A Technical
Review Group will review these proposals for its technical
acceptability and appropriateness of methods used. If
the proposal passes the review, the agency will prepare
the final detailed proposal and then proceed with implementation.
BAR will be responsible for monitoring the status and
output of these agency-funded projects.
Issues and Concerns
Several issues and concerns regarding
the problems encountered by different agencies in the
submission of their R&D program and budget proposal
were raised during the budget hearing. In the regional
level, it was stressed that ongoing projects should
be continued and be given corresponding budget allocation.
In the same manner, participants questioned the need
for other potential funding sources for their research
cost in case their agency budget is inadequate.
DA Staff Bureaus and Attached Agencies
addressed the issue of allocating the appropriate core
funds for each agency as well as the different types
of cost needed to establish their core budget. It was
also suggested that a separate budget hearing for attached
agency and bureau be conducted with the DBM to address
related problems. For SCUs, their main concern focused
on how to qualify for other grants and funding provided
by the DA-BAR i.e., Institutional Development Grant,
MakaMASA fund, etc. Other concerns include the problem
on overspending resources to PS rather than the activities
conducted inside research; issue of plantilla item of
researchers inside the universities; allocation of funds
to non-agricultural projects; and budget limitations
set by DBM. 
April 1-15 2000 Articles: ::
2001 budget proposals for R&D reviewed
::
Corn sector: strategies towards global competitiveness
::
Fishermen empowerment through coops development
::
Pest management info database now accessible
::
Public info campaign on GMOs launched
::
The call to improve fertility of acidic soil
::: More April 2000 articles :::
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