Bicol Agri and Fishery Councils to Tackle Climate Change

SAN AGUSTIN, PILI,  CAMARINES SUR (5 April) - Over 200 farmer and fisherfolk  leaders who are members of the  regional, provincial and municipal   agriculture and fishery councils (AFCs) will  converge for a 3-day  summit on climate change adaptation and disaster risk management at the  Department of Agriculture regional compound here on April 6 to April 8.

Newly installed agriculture secretary Atty. Bernie G. Fondevilla is set to deliver the keynote address and to award livelihood projects and  post-harvest facilities to farmers  and other rural-based organizations.

Newly appointed DA regional executive director, Marilyn V. Sta. Catalina, said the main purpose of the summit is to empower  and enhance the  effectiveness and responsiveness of AFCs  as  partners in agricultural development of Bikol  towards climate change adaptation  and disaster  risk management.

A battery of  resource persons  will  share their knowledge, views and  experiences  on  climate change  adaptation  and risk reduction  management which is the central theme for this year's  summit.   Among them are:  Dr. Ma. Luz A. Enriquez, deputy director of the National Agriculture and Fishery Council; Dr.  Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang,  of PhilRice, Nueva Ecija;  Manuel "Nong" Rangasa of CIRCA; Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola; deputy director of the Agriculture  Credit Policy Council (ACPC); Engr.  Artemio B. Vasallo  of PhilRice; Francisco A. Moog  and  Engr. Raymer G.,  Martinez of the Bureau of Animal Industry;  Atty. Malcolm L. Sarmiento, Jr., director of the Bureau of Fisheries and  Aquatic resources (BFAR) and  Engr. Edwin Andot, RAFC chair of  Region X and president of RAFC Chairs Association of the Philippines.

Information and selling booths for agriculture and fishery products will also be set up during the  summit.  The event will be capped by the drafting and presentation of  position papers, resolutions  and advocacies by the  participants.

The AFCs are private-led volunteer organizations of agriculture and fishery sectors stakeholders assisting in   monitoring  and advocating agricultural programs   being implemented  by the Department of Agriculture. In Bicol region the chairperson of the regional AFC  is David Z. Canet.  Each province has also its PAFC chairperson. (Emily B. Bordado)