To assess the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) implementation in the region, Inter-Agency Meeting and Implementation Workshop for RCEF-RESP was conducted last November 23, 2021 via Zoom wherein a total of 55 partner agencies, and Learning Site for Agriculture/Farm School Representatives joined the said meeting.
Furthermore, the activity aimed to formulate plans to sustain, improve, and harmonize the activities of the program amidst COVID 19 pandemic. Engr. Jordan G. Gabur, ATI-RTC 1 RCEF Focal Person presented the agenda of the meeting, to wit:
1. Minutes of the previous meeting;
2. Consolidated RCEF-RESP activities conducted/implemented by FS/LS;
3. Issues and concerns in the implementation;
4. Best Practices of the implementation;
5. Agency accomplishments (ATI, PhilRice, PhilMech);
6. CY 2022 Updates and Targets; and
7. Other matters that involved RCEF-RESP implementation.
In his opening message, Dr. Rogelio C. Evangelista, ATI-RTC 1 Center Director stressed out that the ultimate goal of the meeting was to raise and resolve the issues and concerns of each partner agencies specially on knowing the guidelines and requirements in the implementation of Farmer Field School and other activities under RCEF. Aside from ATI-RTC 1, partner agencies such as PhilRice Batac and TESDA Region I also presented their their best practices, accomplishments and targets for the conduct of training programs under RCEF during the said meeting.
Dir. Vincent A. Cifra, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region I Regional Director was also present during the meeting and delivered an inspiring message to which he quoted, “Ang TESDA po at ang ATI-Department of Agriculture ay nagtutulongan para ma-implement natin ng maayos yong ating mga pograma under the RCEF. Sa mga interesado na maging training provider ng TESDA under the RCEF in collaboration with ATI, the first step really is to coordinate with ATI. The more training providers we have the better, kasi the more farm schools we have, means the more funds we could request, and the more funds we could request means the more people we could help.’’
The success of a project or program starts with a good plan followed by smooth implementation with constant monitoring and evaluation. Hence, RCEF-RESP under the region will continue to assess its best practices and evaluate its shortcomings for better application and practice.