BUTUAN CITY – Sharing the same goal of ensuring the effective implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Extension Program, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 spearheaded the 3rd Inter-Agency Consultative Meeting.

Representatives from various Extension Service Providers and partners convened to provide updates on their agency’s RCEF-related activities and programs. They are from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office, Provincial Officers-Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Agusan Station and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

The activity also served as venue for harmonizing issues and concerns relating to RCEF implementation. Mr. Benjie Villaruben, Agriculturist II of the Provincial Agriculture Office - Agusan del Norte clarified some points on the existing guidelines of TESDA’s scholarship intervention and inquired on ATI’s available training with CPD points. Meanwhile, Ms. Rena Prado of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Surigao del Sur raised a concern to the TESDA regarding proper coordination in all aspects of implementation of its program particularly in the conduct of Farmers Field School within the province.

The activity was conducted last September 24, 2021 via Google Meet (with the report of JAbonitalla)