Center Director Samuel Calonzo talks about the Mandanas rule during the first day of the Provincial Consultation-Workshop on the Development of the National Extension Agenda and Programs (NEAP) for the Fiscal Year 2022-2028 last June 7, 2021.
LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – Stakeholders along with Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) in Agusan del Norte aired out their concerns during the Provincial Consultation-Workshop on the Development of the National Extension Agenda and Programs (NEAP) for the Fiscal Year 2022-2028 on June 7-8, 2021 at ATI-RTC 13.
Among the participants were stakeholders that included representatives from the National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs) of Agusan del Norte, Private Extension Service Providers (P-ESPs), and actors in the value chain such as producers, suppliers, and processors.
During the first day (June 7), the stakeholders expressed their concerns on how the new NEAP will be disseminated to Local Chief Executives (LCEs). It was explained by Nena Lomuntad, Planning Officer II of ATI-Caraga and Project Officer of the activity, that LCEs will be informed once outputs from all regional training centers are consolidated and finalized by the Central Office. It will be compiled in one publication and will be signed as an Administrative Order by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and will be disseminated to stakeholders and actors of A & F.
There were also questions regarding the implementation of the Mandanas rule which will start on 2022. One Agricultural Extension Worker (AEW) was worried on how LGUs be able to cope with the increased workload considering that the current lack of manpower. Director Calonzo responded that he is optimistic that LGUs will follow a standard organizational structure and staffing pattern depending on the income classification of the LGU. One scenario would be that displaced personnel from NGAs may be transferred to LGUs to help carry out the LGU's new tasks and roles. A related question was also raised as to whether LGUs can accommodate all devolved personnel. It was explained that devolved personnel will have other options aside from an LGU transfer. Everybody was also told to remain calm since details on how the Mandanas rule will soon be known once the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law is crafted and approved.
On the second day (June 8), the clients or actors in the AF value chain also raised several concerns. One of which is the loan requirement which they want to be simplified to give farmers the chance to avail of the loan program. They also mentioned the need to monitor the price of rice and other commodities and the importance of encouraging youth to take up agriculture-related courses.