Sec. Alcala leads harmonization of DA-LGU engagement

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to further improve its partnership with the local government units.

Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala is set to lead the department’s harmonization of systems and procedures as it engages with its partner, the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the delivery of agriculture and fishery services.

The joint meeting of Regional Executive Directors and banner program coordinators from across the country aims to institutionalize a system that promotes a greater transparency in the implementation of DA’s programs and services.

The activity held recently at the Marco Polo in Davao City aimed to lay down strategies to improve delivery of services based on model programs.

The model program seen to achieve such objectives are the process flow and procedures of the department’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

MRDP, the poverty-alleviation initiative of the DA in Mindanao jointly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the local government units, aims to provide agribusiness opportunities and improve incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk and other vulnerable sectors of society.
The department has noted on the improvement of LGU and DA relation in terms of delivery of services and rural development objective in the past years of the programs implementation.

MRDP Program director Lealyn A. Ramos said she is happy that the department has noticed the great impact the Program has done in terms of creating improvements in rural development with strong partnership with the LGUs.

“Incorporating some of the program’s process flow and procedures would greatly enhance the current manner of DA-LGU engagement as partners of development while upholding stronger LGU participation, greater transparency and accountability,” said Ramos who is also the regional executive director of DA – regional field unit in Northern Mindanao (Region X).

In the span of four years since its launch in 2007, MRDP has introduced innovations efficient project and financial documentation, stronger information and advocacy drive, and in gaining broad-based support to rural development.

Part of the discussions during the meeting will be on the proposed Central Philippines Rural Development Program (CPRDP).

The multilateral financing institution World Bank (World Bank) has agreed to set aside $200 million to fund CPRDP that seeks to assist the government in implementing developmental projects in five regions in Southern Tagalog, Bicol and the Visayas.

Sec. Alcala said the CPRDP calls for implementing developmental projects in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas. Sherwin Manual , DA/MRDP