SEARCA, UPLBFI conduct National and Regional Consultation Workshops for DA AMIA-Project 1

  • 10 July 2015

Workshop participants at the AMIA-Project 1 Regional Consultation Workshop composed of Agriculturists, Planning Officers, Science Research Specialists, and Information Officers from 15 Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices (RFOs); AMIA-Project 1 Consultants; and representatives from SEARCA and UPLBFI.

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Representatives of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Regional Field Offices (RFOs) from 15 regions participated in a two-day Regional Consultation Workshop on 6-7 July 2015 while key officials from 17 offices at the DA Central Office and its attached agencies attended a National Consultation Workshop on 8 July 2015 at Torre Venezia Suites in Quezon City. The National and Regional Consultation Workshops served as key components of the project entitled Strengthening Implementation of Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA)-Project 1, which is being implemented by SEARCA and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI) for DA.

During the workshops, participants had the opportunity to learn more about AMIA-Project 1, the terms of reference and work plans of each component, the overall project management, and AMIA program development framework. They were also given the chance to sit down with each Component Leader to discuss working arrangements in the field, contact persons, work plans, and event schedules, as well as administrative and logistical arrangements for workshops and interviews that will be conducted in the field.

Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, DA Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Research and Regulation, stressed the importance of integrating climate science in development projects.Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, DA Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Research and Regulation, in his speech during the National Consultation Workshop, stressed the importance of integrating climate science in development projects. While it is important to identify the issues to better determine the solutions, Undersecretary Serrano mentioned that it is equally necessary to integrate every effort on the ground. Undersecretary Serrano stated that surviving is not enough and there is a need to make most of the resources at hand to better achieve national goals and ensure sustainability of the current efforts.

Key officials who attended the National Consultation Workshop were from the following DA Central Office departments and attached agencies: Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), Field Operations Services (FOS), Financial and Management Service (FMS), Information Technology Center for Agriculture and Fisheries (ITCAF), National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Policy Research Service (PRS), and Project Development Service (PDS).

SEARCA was represented by Ms. Nancy M. Landicho-de Leon, Program Specialist; Ms. Imelda L. Batangantang, Program Associate; Mr. Alvin G. Tallada, Project Coordinator; and Mr. Jerrel Edric B. Mallari, Project Support Staff, all of the Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS). The delegation from UPLBFI included Ms. Dorcas V. Trinidad, Senior Project Coordinator; Ms. Marilou Atanante, Accounting Supervisor; Ms. Josephine Laserna, Account Specialist; Ms. Pattricia Legaspi, Research Assistant; Ms. Jonalyn Sandro, Research Assistant; and Mr. Ariene P. Gregorio, Research Assistant.

Workshop participants at the AMIA-Project 1 National Consultation Workshop composed of Representatives from 17 Offices at the DA Central Office and its attached agencies; AMIA-Project 1 Consultants; and representatives from SEARCA and UPLBFI.