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DA-SUC-LGU Collaborative Extension Service Planning Workshop for Region 3

Text and Photos by Rita T. dela Cruz

OPENING PROGRAM

Following the national consultation workshop held at the Shangri-La Hotel on 21 May 2008 and the two regional planning workshop on collaborative extension service (CES) in Region I and CAR and Mindanao Cluster, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) National Experts Team and DA-Regional Field Unit III (RFU), organizes the “DA-SUC-LGU Collaborative Extension Service Planning Workshop for Region 3” at the Central Luzon State University (CSLU), Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on 30-31 July 2008.

Dr. Orlino A. Mercado, manager of the Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC) introduces the participants and representatives from the DA regional and national Offices, SUCs, RAFCs, PAFCs, and OPAs who attended the planning workshop.

Guests of honor during the activity are: (L-R) Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) President Delfin O. Magpantay; BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar, BAR Consultant Manuel F. Bonifacio; Dr. Libertad C. Rivera of DA-RFU 3; CLSU President Ruben C. Sevilleja; and CLSU President Emeritus Fortunato A. Battad.

CLSU President Ruben C. Sevilleja welcomes the more than 100 participants who attended the activity. In his remarks, he re-echoes the purpose and significance of the planning workshop not only for Region 3 but in giving solutions to global problem such as food scarcity, particularly, SUC’s role in the Rice Self-Sufficiency Plan of the government. “The activity is vital to roadmap the vision towards the achievement of food security,” he reiterates.

Also welcoming the guests and participants is CLSU President Emeritus Fortunato A. Battad. In his stresses the crucial role of SUC in improving the lives of the farmers, making them a middle class and entrepreneurs. “Our greatest contribution is to see to it that our farmers are raised to a level of a middle class,” he says.

Providing the message in behalf of Dr. Redentor S. Gatus, OIC/regional executive director of RFU III, is Dr. Libertad C. Rivera. In the message she mentions “Technical knowledge is useless unless shared and it’s possible only through our linkage with LGUs who have direct link to our farmers. There is a need to bringing farm technologies at the grassroot where they are needed the most. Thus, enhancing the lives of our farmers is not only our goal but our vision.”

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar provides the keynote address for the activity emphasizing the latest pronouncements of DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap which serve as guidelines for Region 3 in designing their unified extension service. In particular, Dir Eleazar cites four major areas to focus on: 1) SUCs to help DA in the provision of technical assistance based on their fields of specialization; 2) provision of training programs for LGU extension workers and DA in the regions; 3) serve as back-up to the LGU extensionists in the conduct of Collaborative Extension Service (CES) in agriculture and fisheries; and 4) Allot areas for seed production.

BAR Consultant Manuel F. Bonifacio provides the overview and mechanics of the planning workshop.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Ms. Alice Briones-Mataia of the Socioeconomics Division, Philippine Rice Research Institute presents the “Status of Rice Production in Central Luzon”.

Dr. Orlino A. Mercado, CLIARC manager, discusses the “New Directions of Extension Service for Region 3 Rice-based Farming Systems”.

To guide the participants in designing the Unified Regional Action Plan, Dr. Manuel F. Bonifacio lectures on the “Framework for a Unified Extension Service”.

Mr. Wilfredo B. Balatibat of DA-ATI Region III, provides the “Agricultural Extension Situationer for Region 3” focusing on some of the problems that need to be address.

Meanwhile, Dr. Pastora S. Coloma, director for extension of CLSU, provides a situationer of the “Status of Extension in SUCs”

PLANNING WORKSHOP

For the workshop proper, participants were grouped according to the provinces they represent. From then on, they were given an action plan matrix to design their proposed rice production enhancement program plan from September 2008 to August 2009.

The groups of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Aurora discussing their plans and programs.

Bulacan group.

Bataan group.

Pampanga group.

Zambales group.