TACLOBAN CITY -- The Department of Agriculture in Region 8 (DA-8) conducted on March 1 an orientation-briefing on the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) for Eastern Visayas provinces.

The activity was conducted through combined virtual and in-person platforms participated in by the Provincial Agriculturists, Provincial Veterinarians, Provincial Planning and Development Officers, including officials from the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

Said event was spearheaded by DA-8 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, the  two Regional Technical Directors Larry U. Sultan and Elvira C. Torres, with the support of Dr. Rex Navarro and Dr. Jojo Lapitan, both pillars and advocates of PAFES.

Dr. Navarro virtually shared some important experiences in the establishment of PAFES in Ilocos Norte which could be of  help to the 40 participants from the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte and Biliran.

Dr. Navarro and Dr. Lapitan are both in the field of agricultural extension, social marketing, development communication and rural development, who played  key roles in setting up the first-ever PAFES Pilot province in Ilocos Region. Both are actively involved in voluntary works to enhance and improve Philippine Agriculture.

Enriquez challenged the participants to be active and ensure complete staff work, so as to create their respective provincial management committees, and convince their governors to forge a Memorandum of Agreement between participating agencies.

Dr. Navarro underscored the importance of PAFES as a tool for reform and transformation of the Philippine agriculture from conventional to full digitization, and be at par with ASEAN neighbors, and at the same time, prepare all PLGUs for the transition to full devolution.

Enriquez, in her message, also stressed that PAFES is being pushed strongly by no less than Secretary William Dar as a precursor to the impending implementation of Mandanas Ruling.

She reminded everyone not to be passive, but rather take this opportunity to scale up or raise the level of extension delivery services in the provinces.

The DA-8 APCOs and other technical staff from different operating units were among the attendees who played their vital roles in the implementation of PAFES in the six provinces of Region 8.

Other DA-8 senior staff who acted as resource persons during the whole-day event include Dr. Andrew T. Orais, FOD Chief; PMED Asst. Chief Mr. Rodel Macapanas; and Engr. Jecela Demegillo, PMED Chief. (GTT/DA-8)