|
Archives
April 1-15, 2001
R&D ManCom tackles major concerns; DA structure reviewed
by Joell H. Lales
The R&D Management Committee (RDMC),
in its third meeting, reviewed the DA organizational
structure and proposed one that integrates the DA agencies/institutions
along key functions. This would also delineate the interrelationship
of agencies within a functional unit.
Attended by R&D heads from the DA
staff bureaus and attached agencies with BAR Director
Eliseo R. Ponce as chair, the RDMC first reviewed Special
Order (S.O.) 123, series of 2001 which mandates the
new DA organizational structure.
The RDMC believes that the SO cannot possibly
supersede Executive Order (E.O.) 338 issued this year
which created the existing DA organizational structure.
Moreover, R&D, which is very important in agricultural
modernization, is not given the appropriate delineation
in relation to the other key functions of the Department.
In line with this, the RDMC proposes a DA Organizational
Structure that integrates the different DA agencies/institutions
along the key functions, and delineates the interrelationship
of agencies within a functional unit.
The structure also provides the opportunity
to correct the errors of EO 338 by improving the delivery
of extension support services by converting the Agricultural
Training Institute (ATI) to the Bureau of Agricultural
Extension (BAEx) and harmonizing quarantine and inspection
activities of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and
the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) through the establishment
of the Bureau of Quarantine and Inspection.
Atty. James Dennis Gumpal, BAR legal expert, was invited
to present the legal mandate of R&D in the DA.
He presented the historical perspective
on how R&D was systematized over the years through
numerous legislative proceedings and policy recasting,
and how all these led to the creation of BAR. Part of
the presentation touched on the existence of PCARRD
and its conversion into the Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAFNRRD).
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Deputy
Administrator Carlos C. Carpio presented the proposal
on the establishment of the Philippine Coconut R&D
Institute (PhilCORDI). Later, the Committee agreed on
renaming it into the Philippine Coconut and Tropical
Oils Research and Development Institute (PhilCoconut).
The Institute shall serve as an autonomous unit under
PCA, giving it more flexibility in its operation. This
is consonant with the provision in the AFMA towards
promoting excellence among R&D institutions through
the exercise of autonomy and academic freedom.
Another issue tackled is the promotion
of Farmers' Produce in all DA activities/functions.
The Committee strongly believes that in order to provide
a sustainable market for our local farmers, the DA should
take the lead in promoting locally-produced farmer products
by serving locally-produced farmer products during DA
activities/functions.
Another major concern brought up during the meeting
was on R&D funding. Allocation for the agency R&D
core budget is inadequate compromising the performance
of the different R&D agencies in the conduct of
R&D activities.
The Committee believes that there is a
need to revise the budget structure of agencies to conform
to AFMA. Likewise, the core budget of agencies must
be increased to enable them to perform their core function
under normal conditions by reallocating MakaMASA funds
for this purpose. 
April 1-15 2001 Articles: ::
BAR takes info tech for interactive R&D community
::
Biocon-based IPM: better control against ACB
::
R&D ManCom tackles major concerns; DA structure reviewed
::
R&D Program readies Muslim MIndanao for global market
::: More April 2001 articles :::
|
