DA-CAR hosts 1st Quarter RDC SECOM Meeting on Economic Development
The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) hosted the 1st Quarter Meeting of the Regional Development Council Sectoral Committee (RDC SECOM) on Economic Development on February 13, 2018 at the DA Conference Hall.
The meeting was presided by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -CAR Regional Director Myrna Pablo who is the current Chairman of the SECOM. Other members include Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional director Victor Mariano, DA-CAR regional executive director (RED) Narciso Edillo, representatives from the regional line agencies that such as the Agricultural Training Institute(ATI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Irrigation Administration(NIA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Baguio Water District (BWD), Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Cordillera Regional Coffee Council Chairman Oliver Oliem and Dr. Carlito Laurean representing Benguet State University and Cordillera Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD).
The meeting, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), secretariat of the SECOM, was very productive as the members of the body passed a number of resolutions.
First, the Economic and Development SECOM passed a Resolution for the Establishment of the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) as a support committee under the RDC.
The body also agreed to include DTI as a member of the RRDIC and all Research and Development (R&D) concerns should be aligned and integrated in the R& D policy.
The Cordillera Regional Research and Development Agenda 2018-2022 was also endorsed by the SECOM particularly the economic development concerns because it is understood that it has to be presented to other SECOM.
The Economic and Development SECOM was also updated on the approval of the 2017-2022 Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap by DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, and witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on March 7, 2017.
An Executive Order creating the Philippine Coffee Council was also endorsed by DA Sec. Piñol and DTI Sec. Lopez to Pres. Duterte for approval. Also, they were informed on the upcoming 3rd Philippine Coffee Conference at the Hotel Supreme on March 20-21, 2018.
The other agenda includes updates on the 2nd Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resources Management Project (CHARMP 2) and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of DA.
Moreover, Dr. Laurean also gave an update regarding the CorCAARD. He hope that the government agencies will cooperate for the 100 million budget to be pushed for this year.
Before the meeting adjourned, the SECOM gave DOST RD Mariano a token of appreciation for his upcoming graduation from government service.
