The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), represented by Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, University President, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Local Government Units of Davao del Norte, Agriculture Training Institute (ATI), and other collaborators in establishing a “Province-Led Agriculture and Fishery Extension System in Davao del Norte” or PAFES at Insular Waterfront Hotel, Lanang Davao City on May 2, 2022.
PAFES is one of the key strategies of OneDA Reform Agenda which aims to strengthen the collaboration between DA, LGUs, academe, and private sectors; and to bring extension services to the grassroots level amid the challenges of devolution under Executive Order 138 or the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling.
On the said project, USeP is responsible for organizing and deploying a dedicated core of subject matter specialists to the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (PAFEC) on an on-call basis. The University is also responsible for testing, adapting, and packaging site-specific and climate-resilient technologies in strategic locations of the province; collaborating with partner agencies in setting up technology and demonstration farms; training farmers, agriculture extension workers, and other stakeholders; and sharing information and technologies to farmers, fisherfolks through electronic media and web-based platforms.
Attending also at the ceremonial signing were the key officials of collaborating agencies like Dr. Willian D. Dar, DA Secretary; Mr. Abel James I. Monteagudo, DA XI Regional Executive Director; Mr. Raul C. Millana, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI Regional Director; Mr. Allan Macansantos, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) XI Chairman; and Dr. Shirley S. Villanueva, USeP Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension.
