“When we strengthen our Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), we build an agri-fishery sector that truly answers to its people.”
Anchoring in the principle of participatory governance, 黑料网 OIC Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban set the tone for regional accountability during the FY 2026 Visayas Participatory Performance Review and Planning Workshop on October 6 to 8, 2026.
The activity brought together over 60 AFC leaders, regional and provincial coordinators, finance officers, and provincial agriculturists from across the Visayas island cluster. The planning workshop aimed to align regional operations, evaluate physical and financial performance, enforce financial structures, and elevate field accountability across all four regions of the Visayas.
The performance review and workshop also highlighted the participation of the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR), which joined Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
The regional clusters presented their notable accomplishments alongside the corresponding budget utilization of their committed FY 2026 programs, activities, and projects (PAPs). The accomplishments were presented by Regional AFC (RAFC) Chairpersons Stephen Santillan (NIR), Engr. Buen Mondejar (Western Visayas), Grace Cenas (Central Visayas), and Jorge Alvero, Jr. (Eastern Visayas), who shared localized milestones, fund utilization trajectories, and inspiring impact stories.
Turning challenges into actionable regional strategies
Aside from assessing past accomplishments, private sector-partners discussed operational bottlenecks, governance gaps, and potential hurdles impacting grassroots PAP delivery. These insights directly shaped mitigation strategies and priority interventions intended to operationalize the upcoming FY 2027 Plan and Budget Proposal in harmony with the FY 2026鈥�2031 PCAF Strategic Plan.
The workshop generated policy resolutions tailored to regional growth:
- Youth in agriculture: The AFCs are urged to pass resolutions empowering youth participation, while Department of Agriculture (DA) agencies are pushed to expand scholarship grants, educational assistance, and access to productive agricultural lands.
- Personnel support: PCAF committed to consulting the DA Legal Service, Department of Budget and Management, and Commission on Audit to design proper remuneration, capacity development, and incentives for Agricultural Extension Workers.
- Budget enhancements: To ensure equitable distribution, PCAF will review Provincial AFC (PAFC) classifications while advocating for a proposed PhP3 million regional budget inclusive of Local Chief Executive dialogues.
- Philippine Rural Development Project integration: The group agreed to endorse the inclusion of PAFC chairpersons in shaping Investment Plans and participating in Regional Project Advisory Boards to boost transparency.
- Strict fund liquidation: RAFCs were reminded to collaborate with regional accountants to clear unliquidated balances and submit early requests for FY 2026 fund utilization extensions.
Tracking progress through participatory monitoring
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Meanwhile, PCAF presented findings from the Visayas Participatory Monitoring and Tracking (PMT), which evaluated 340 DA-funded projects to enhance regional governance.
Out of these projects, 44 were found to be fully functional or had minor issues, while 20 remained underutilized or unutilized and 22 were for utilization.
The PMT team also highlighted several concerns, including some unprovided Memorandum of Agreement documents, livestock biosecurity gaps, mechanical failures, and equipment unsuited to local terrain鈥攕uch as walking tractors that proved unworkable in parts of Bohol.
To resolve these issues, DA Regional Field Offices, through their Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions, have 45 days to address concerns subject to PCAF revalidation. Additionally, they are tasked with coordinating with suppliers like the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization for equipment repairs and strictly enforcing pre-turnover site assessments.
The consolidated outputs and strategic roadmaps generated from the Cebu workshop and PMT findings will be distributed to the regional concerned offices for possible implementation. | Jezebel Campaniel
