DA, Prov’l Gov’t inked MOA for PAFES implementation in SurSur
By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- To bring extension services to the grassroots level, the Department of Agriculture (DA) -Caraga headed by Regional Executive Director Ricardo OΓ±ate, Jr. in partnership with the provincial Government of Surigao del Sur headed by Gov Alexander T. Pimentel, signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the adoption and implementation of Provincial-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension Systems (PAFES), in time of the kick-off celebration of the 62nd Araw ng Surigao del Sur held at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex on June 15, 2022.
The agreement tied between the DA-Caraga and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur signaled the official kick-off of the implementation of PAFES in the province, which aims to bring extension services to the grassroots level, as part of the OneDA Reform Agenda that would underscore the province’s role in securing food production.
The activity was also joined by the different partners-stakeholders representatives/officials who have contributed to the development of the Agri-fisheries sectors concerns, witnessed by CWS Representative and 1st District newly-elected Representative Romeo Momo, and some other current and newly elected officials who graced the event.
Governor Pimentel expressed his commitment to make agriculture as the top priority anchored with the OneDA Reform Agenda. He recognized the province as a predominantly agricultural area and commits to preserving and protecting its environment."In my term as governor of this province, I will no longer allow mining to take place in areas where it can affect the rice granaries of the province. Our resolutions would only allow mining in Carrascal which was declared as a mining-reserved area by the President.", Governor Pimentel noted.
Surigao Sur Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) chief Marcos Quico was grateful for the good news declared and emphasized by Gov. Alexander Pimentel in his message, that the municipalities of Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza all in the northern part, are considered rice granaries of the province. The said areas are all recipients of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program and a major producing area for hybrid rice it was learned. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)