On its 126th founding anniversary, DA, including its regional field office in NorMin, through RED Pacamalan reaffirms the agency’s commitment to strengthen its delivery of service to farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) will continue to strengthen its services delivery to stakeholders from the region’s agriculture and fisheries sector.

This, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan reaffirmed, during a special ceremony held on June 24, at the agency compound here, in line with the national celebration of DA’s 126th founding anniversary.

In his opening message, RED Pacamalan said that the anniversary celebration is an opportune time for the DA-10 management and workforce to revisit the reforms, refinements, and innovations it has implemented in its delivery of agri-fishery services to stakeholders in the region during the past years.

“We will make this anniversary as a [time to look back] on the changes that we have done, the things we need to improve, and the things we need to know better [for the benefit] of our farmers and fisherfolk in the region,” the agri exec said.

Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Yvy B. Emano, who spoke as the event’s guest of honor, extended her congratulations for the agency’s extensive years in service and underscored the Department’s interventions as largely beneficial to local farmers and fisherfolk, particularly in remote areas of the city where interventions for agriculture are well needed.

Founded as the Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing, DA became one of the first government agencies created just eleven days after the proclamation of the Philippine Independence in 1898.

As the lead government instrumentality for advancing the interests of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and the agri-fishery sector, DA’s engagement with its partners and stakeholders is guided by the policy thrusts of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., particularly through the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ brand of governance.

In a message addressed to the agency’s workforce, Sec. Laurel, Jr. recognized the men and women behind the agency’s strides in bolstering the country’s agri-fishery development.

“Sa selebrasyong ito, mahalaga na tandaan natin ang malaki nating papel sa pagbuo ng isang matatag at maunlad na bansa. Nais ko pong bigyang pugay ang bawat isa sa inyo sa DA family na nagsilbi at patuloy na nagsisilbi para sa magsasaka, mangingisda, at iba pang stakeholders ng agriculture sector,” the agriculture secretary said.

“Malaking bahagi po kayo kaya patuloy tayong nakakapaghatid ng sapat na pagkain sa bawat hapag ng pamilyang Pilipino. You are the unsung heroes behind the achievements of this Department,” the agri chief also said.

Acting through the same spirit, DA-10, through its Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), has also recognized outstanding individuals from its workforce for their display of exemplary qualities and performance throughout their years in public service.

In support of said event, the DA Employees Association – Region 10 (DAEA-10) also staged its KADIWA Bazaar, through which agency employees and the public may purchase various agri-fishery commodities and products at economical prices.

Supporting the regional participation of the Department’s 126th founding anniversary is Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, members of the Management Committee (ManCom), and personnel and support staff of the DA-10.# (GDA; Photo credits to JLPC, JCSO, JRBT)