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Archives
March 16-31, 2001
A need for an institution -- SSAC
by Mary Charlotte O. Fresco
Irrigation
and Drainage RDE Programs Reviewed
"The DA should create an institution over this."
Thus emphasized by Dr. Fernando Bernardo, chairperson
of the Senior Scientists Advisory Committee (SSAC) during
the review of the Irrigation and Drainage RDE Agenda
and Program held on 23 March 2001.
The SSAC sees the need for an institution
crucial to the development of the network's manpower
complement in order to hasten the integration, planning,
design, and operation activities of the operation activities
of the newly created Irrigation and Drainage RDE Network.
Network Leader Wilfredo David presented
the 10-point program proposal encapsulating the program's
overall goal of identifying and formulating appropriate
solution strategies and measures to address the technical,
economic, environmental, social and political dimensions
of irrigation problems and constraints in the country.
Each program covers specific projects,
corresponding objectives, budget, implementing agencies
and number of target years of implementation. These
programs are designed to address the country's long-standing
problems in irrigation and drainage systems such as
lack of irrigation-related baseline information; poor
performance of irrigation and drainage systems and technologies;
high cost of irrigation and drainage development; and
inadequate institutional capability for effective monitoring,
coordination and management of irrigation and drainage
systems.
Another major point that was raised by
the Committee during the review was the proper presentation
of the program's proposal that will convince the Department
of Budget Management (DBM) and Congress to allocate
more funds to support the projects that have great impact.
Dr. Bernardo recommended that the network should improve
the presentation of data by showing the impact on farm
productivity and how it indirectly affects crop productivity
and profitability.
Likewise, Bernardo suggested that prioritization
among the program's projects should be made since the
Government is in the process of realigning its budget
as it deals with large budget deficit.
In connection with the development of
new irrigation systems, SSAC member Fernando Quebral
pointed out that cheaper sources of energy needed to
run minor irrigation technologies should be considered
since the price of fuel is becoming more expensive.
Also present during the review were BAR
Director Eliseo Ponce, Asst. Irrigation and Drainage
Team Leader Dr. Victor Ella, network technical staff,
BAR National Programs Division staff. 
March 16-31 2001 Articles: ::
COGENT visits BAR
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Understanding genes, their effects & behavior thru molecular bio
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17 NaRDSAF members receive scholarship grants
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A need for an institution -- SSAC
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Philippine Mariculture Industry Regulation Criteria proposed
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BAR launches Plant Genetic Resources Network
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Roles and functions of RIARCS strengthened
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BAR prepares for 22nd SOM-AMAF meeting
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New DOST head speaks in women's seminar
::: More March 2001 articles :::
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