By Connie B. Destura
LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) — The Department of Agriculture Bicol regional office is leading a multi-agency group in formulating a regional plan for agriculture in anticipation of the observed and projected disaster and climate risk impacts on the agriculture sector in Region 5.
The move was the result of a Consultation and Planning Workshop for the Preparation of the Regional Action Plan for Agriculture conducted at the Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, on Oct. 31.
Aside from the DA, the planning group consists of other government agencies such as the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture; Bicol University; Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; and provincial and municipal governments of Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon.
The Office of Civil Defense Bicol region or OCD5 under director Bernardo R. Alejandro IV will provide technical support and assistance to this very significant regional activity, aimed at ensuring food security in the region, among others.
The OCD5 is the over-all responsible agency in disaster risk reduction and management in the Bicolandia.
The inter-agency planning group will use DRR mandatory policies as guide in the formulation of a DRR-CCA sensitive regional agriculture action plan.
The mapping out of this plan is part of the program on “Enhancing Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Agriculture in Cambodia and the Philippines” with international UN agencies — Food and Agriculture Organization and Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection — as partner agencies.
The planning group decided to have the semi-final draft of the plan reviewed by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Region 5 through the RDRRMC5 Technical Working Group to ensure that the same is in conformity with the Regional DRRM Plan, Section 9(b), RA10121.