SP approves MOA with DA, NIA, HUCAFC

THROUGH an ordinance, the 20th City Council, in its Monday regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, authorized City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 (DA-10); National Irrigation Administration (NIA); and Highly Urbanized City Agricultural and Fishery Council (HUCAFC) covering the establishment of a City-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (CAFES) in the City of Cagayan de Oro.

In his letter to the City Council, Mayor Uy said that the implementation of CAFES aims to establish a pluralistic extension system which will enhance LGU’s capacities in delivering strategic agri-fishery interventions under a Collaborative City Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CCAFEP).

Under the MOA, the City shall establish and manage a City-led CAFES in collaboration with DA Region 10, HUCAFC, and other partners. It shall also provide a sustained annual co-financing to the CAFES together with DA-10 and other funding sources; lead the development and implementation of CAFEP guided by the Strategic Plan for Agriculture, the City Commodity Investment Plan (CCIP), and the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of priority commodities in the City; identify sites for setting up technology demonstration farms in collaboration with partner agencies, among others.

Meanwhile, the DA-10 shall, on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, and working closely with the City, serve as the Project Convener by bringing all partners together, establishing a City-led CAFES and mapping out its strategy and program in the City; assisting the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center 10 (ATI RTC X) in the conduct of a Rapid Appraisal on the City-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System; actively participating in identifying agricultural fisheries extension program priorities; and mapping out and implementing CCAFEP guided by the City Commodity Investment Plan (CCIP) and consistent with the banner program of the DA-10, among others.

For its part, the NIA shall develop all available water resources in the City, primarily for irrigation purposes; supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair, or otherwise, administer temporarily all communal and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved, and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds in the City, among others.

Finally, the HUCAFC shall actively participate in identifying agricultural and fisheries extension program priorities and in mapping out and implementing the CCAFEP; participate in input distribution, information and education and community mobilization, among others. The legislation was certified urgent by the City Mayor and duly approved by the members of the City Council.