DA-10 installs RAFC NorMin chair as Farmer Regional Executive Director

 

EL SALVADOR CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) welcomed Nilda B. Salas as its Farmer Regional Executive Director (FRED) in a turnover ceremony held on May 5, here.

As the incumbent chairperson of Northern Mindanao’s Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Salas is installed as DA-10’s FRED for the entire month of May in celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.

Her installation aligns with the Farmer-Director Program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), an initiative requiring the DA Regional Field Offices to designate the RAFC chairperson as temporary head of office annually in May, since 2017.

  

During her post, Salas will represent farmers and fishers in policy discussions, assist in the implementation of DA programs, and foster inter-agency and intersectoral collaboration.

“I will prioritize strengthening the participation of local AFCs – the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC), City Agricultural and Fishery Council (CAFC), Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) in decision-making and their recognition by the LGUs,” Salas said in an interview sharing her priority agenda.

“I urge the private sector to engage with the government initiatives with commitment, dedication, and a strong spirit of volunteerism to contribute to our progress,” she emphasized.

The FRED program promotes participatory governance by providing farmer-leaders with firsthand insight into government operations. The FREDs can make recommendations on policy and non-policy-related matters, while the authority to sign policy-related documents remains with the DA’s Regional Executive Director (RED).

The RAFCs serve as advisory and consultative bodies within the DA, representing the private sector in agriculture and fisheries-related concerns at the regional level.

DA-10 RED Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan presided over the ceremony. Also present were DA-10 Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, and other DA-10 and RAFC officials. # (BJCE)