For delivering timely interventions and implementing projects that continue to benefit farmers, ruralfolk and agriculture industry stakeholders during the first semester of 2021, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cagayan Valley and Bicol regional field offices (RFOs) were cited for their good performance.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar conferred the respective plaque of appreciation to DA-RFO2 Director Narciso Edillo and DA-RFO5 Director Rodel Tornilla, during the 123rd DA anniversary, on June 23, at the agency’s main offices in Quezon City.
“On behalf of the ‘OneDA’ family, we salute and congratulate the two regional directors for a job well done. Their strong performance contributed much to the overall accomplishments of the entire agency,” said secretary Dar, citing their performance from January to May 2021, among the 15 DA-RFOs nationwide.
The performance of each of the DA-RFO, during the five-month period was measured, based on the following criteria:
- Financial performance or fund utilization (40%);
- Physical performance or delivery of programs and interventions (40%); and
- Oversight and assessment by the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Field Operations, including pro-active response to emerging major concerns (20%).
The DA-RFO2 got an overall score of 70.61%, attributed to its 73.42% rating for physical accomplishments and 68.12% for its financial accomplishments, while the DA-RFO5 had a 66.93% total rating.
Secretary Dar said that he would soon meet with all the regional directors to discuss gaps in program deliveries and fund utilization, especially in the regions that need improvement.
“We will challenge all of them,” he added.
For his part, Undersecretary for Operations Ariel Cayanan said “the ranking and assessment of the performance of the 15 DA regional offices is a way of elevating our service to our farmers and other clienteles.”
In his message during the DA 123rd anniversary, the agri chief said that “Philippine agriculture is on the path to recovery, citing that the initiatives being undertaken by the ‘OneDA’ family continues to help rebuild the economy amid the pandemic and under the new normal.”
He also challenged all the operating units to improve implementation of the plans and programs, to attain higher outputs in the agri-fishery sector.
True to its 123rd anniversary theme, “OneDA: Patuloy na nagkakaisa, upang iangat ang pambansang agrikultura,” the DA chief recognized the efforts of its frontliners and employees.
As part of the celebration, spotlight was focused on its employees and officials in action during the pandemic, thus making the services of the Department available and accessible to the public in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also paid tribute to the “milestoners” or service loyalty awardees, to those who have passed on due to Covid-19 or other medical issues.
Secretary Dar thanked everyone for being part of the key strategies under “OneDA” to ensure that there is available food for every Filipino family and efficient income for the Filipino food heroes, stressing that the role and commitment of everyone is crucial in achieving food security.
The celebration ended with the launch of the newest jingle of the Deparment, titled “Agrikultura sa Gitna ng Pandemya,” lyrics by Dale Russeth Gabanes and music by Noel Cabangon. ### (KYV/ADR, DA-AFID)
