The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking at establishing consultative councils to create a more inclusive and effective approach to agricultural policy-making.
This will also address various challenges including climate change and resource degradation, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said at the annual membership meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. yesterday.
Tiu Laurel said the councils will bring together representatives from the agency, private sector, farmers and other key stakeholders to collaborate on the development of policies and strategies that respond directly to the sector’s pressing problems.
“Only through strong partnerships and dedicated collaboration can we effectively tackle challenges and transform them into opportunities,” said Tiu Laurel.
According to the DA, the creation of councils is part of its broader vision to foster stronger partnerships and enhance stakeholder participation in decision-making.
The DA said actively involving farmers, fisherfolk, industry leaders and local government units in the policy-making process will create “more effective, targeted solutions that reflect the needs and realities of those on the ground.”
The councils will also help streamline the consultative planning process, ensuring that feedback from all sectors is incorporated into decision-making as well as to develop more science-based and responsive policies, the DA added.
“Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, but the sector faces significant challenges, such as climate change, resource degradation and socio-economic pressures. Food security continues to be an urgent concern, both globally and locally,” Tiu Laurel said.
He pointed to the private sector’s expertise and resources which are essential for achieving a sustainable, resilient agricultural sector that is bankable for the future generation of farmers.
Last June, the DA formed a technical working group (TWG) tasked to conduct a comprehensive review of the agency’s regulatory policies and undertake corrective measures, if needed.
Tiu Laurel designated undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations Asis Perez and undersecretary and chief of staff Alvin John Balagbag, both lawyers, as co-chairmen of the TWG that would review DA regulations.
Tiu Laurel said the TWG will look into the results of the comprehensive review undertaken by DA regulatory agencies earlier and provide comments and inputs as well as recommend changes, including “the repeal and amendment of conflicting and obsolete regulations, to rationalize the regulatory policies being implemented by the Department.”
Draft regulations to repeal or amend existing rules will be endorsed by the TWG to the DA Regulatory Clearinghouse System for further review.
The DA said the TWG also harmonizes regulations of its various attached agencies to promote efficiency, trim red tape and plug loopholes and clarify ambiguities that could be exploited and abused.
