MANILA – The consultative council composed of representatives of the Department of Agriculture (DA), farmers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector will be operationalized in January, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced Thursday.
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the annual membership meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI), Tiu Laurel said having a consultative council would help address pressing issues and concerns across all sectors of agriculture.
“Ang utos ko kahapon, dapat by January 15, mag-start na ng mga meetings, monthly iyan (My order yesterday was that by January 15, the monthly meetings should start),” he said.
“Ang major task ng council is para mapag-usapan every single major crop natin every month (The major task of the council is to discuss every single major crop every month).“
The monthly consultation is also expected to help the DA advance policy reforms through streamlined decision-making and feedback gathering, and eventually help modernize agriculture, boost local production, and ensure food accessibility.
“The more we talk, the more ideas come out on how to make things better. Kung may regular schedule, everybody, magkakaroon sila ng set schedule a month na para ibato nila lahat ng tanong, ideas, at mga issues para every month, madesisyonan lahat yan (A regular monthly schedule would be a forum to air questions, share ideas, address issues, and make decisions),” Tiu Laurel said.
The council will consist of 10 representatives of the DA, PCAFI, Federation of Free Farmers, processors, exporters, and farmers. (PNA)