Every time I share my ideas on how to improve Agriculture and Fisheries in the country, there would be some insulting comments asking “Ano ang ginawa mo noong ikaw ang Secretary?” and “Bakit hindi mo ginawa noon?”
I usually ignore these comments, including those coming from trolls who call me “Bokbok Rice Promoter” and supporter of importers.
The only consolation is that nobody has openly accused me of amassing wealth when I was Secretary of Agriculture.
Just to provide the right context to the “Bokbok Rice” issue, let it be on record that I was not involved in the importation of the weevil-infested rice shipment because at the time, the National Food Authority was not under the Dept. of Agriculture.
I merely showed that the proposal to destroy the shipment of rice with weevils was not right because the rice could just be washed and cooked.
Just like that and I was accused of feeding Filipinos with weevil-infested rice.
To the critics who often ask what I have done as Secretary of Agriculture from July 1, 2016 to Aug. 5, 2019, when I resigned and moved to the Mindanao Development Authority, I am posting here a list of the governance innovations which I introduced during my short stint as DA Secretary.
In all modesty, I personally designed and crafted most of these programs, including SAAD, 4Ks, MMK, BASIL, PLEA & SURE Loaning Programs which are now banner programs of the DA.
I am proud of what I have contributed to the development of Agriculture and fisheries in the country and just to set the records straight, here is a list of what I could remember as notable innovations in governance which I initiated para lang magkaliwanagan:
- Launched the Biyaheng Bukid National Consultative Program
- Brought top officials of the Department of Agriculture to the remotest areas of the country;
- Conducted consultations with Agriculture and Fisheries Stakeholders to help craft effective programs;
- Implemented Masagana 6000, which resulted in the historic high harvest of 19.28-M Metric Tons in 2017 and posted the highest Agriculture Sector Growth of 3.9% in 2017 still unequalled until today;
- Designed and implemented the first Digital Interactive Color-Coded Agriculture Guide Map to help farmers determine what crops to plant in specific areas of the country (www.farmersguidemap.da.gov.ph);
- Free Irrigation Act
- Backed by President Rodrigo Duterte;
- Succeeded in introducing and working for the passage of the Free Irrigation Act for farmers in National Irrigation Administration service areas;
- Condoned Irrigation Free Arrears of farmers nationwide, amounting to about ₱6 billion;
- Introduced the Solar-Powered Irrigation System
- A Department of Agriculture program, later adopted as a national program under the National Irrigation Administration;
- Amended the DA Farm Equipment Distribution Program
- Previously required a 15% equity from Farmers’ Associations.
- Released billions worth of farm equipment during the first six months;
- Coordinated with the Dept. of Trade & Industry
- Crafted Road Maps for Rubber, Mango, Coffee, Cacao, and Coconut Industry;
- Designed and implemented easy access loaning programs
- Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA)
- Survival and Recovery Loaning Program
- Agriculture and Fisheries Machinery & Equipment Loaning
- The PLEA Program was presented at the United Nations during the launching of the Year of the Farm Family;
- Designed and implemented the Search for the Cleanest Coastal Towns under the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan Awards;
- Designed and implemented the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Program
- Seeded the country’s lakes, rivers, and creeks with fingerlings of non-invasive fish species;
- Designed and implemented the first-ever National Program for Agriculture Productivity and Poverty Alleviation
- Targeted Indigenous Peoples’ Communities
- Named 4Ks (Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo);
- Introduced and implemented the Special Area for Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program
- A National Agriculture Productivity and Poverty Alleviation Program.
- Started in North Cotabato.
- Acknowledged by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as one of the most effective poverty alleviation programs of govt.;
- Designed and implemented the National Fishing Boat Building Program by the fisherfolk themselves called FB Pagbabago Program, which built thousands of fiberglass fishing boats;
- Negotiated and succeeded in opening the US and China Market for Philippine Green Coconuts;
- Introduced the “{DA TienDA Program” which introduced regional products to the big Metro Manila markets and assisted in establishing partnerships between farmers’ groups and buyers;
- Initiated the organization of the Philippine Rubber Farmers Association, which was the first step in the development and establishment of Rubber Processing and Manufacturing Facilities in Mindanao;
- Implemented Disease Control Protocols for Avian Influenza following the outbreak of Bird Flu in Central Luzon, which was contained after only 45 days of intensive operations in cooperation with the LGUs;
- Adopted a strong position opposing the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law, which allowed the unimpeded importation of rice—detrimental to the local rice industry and resulting in uncontrolled pricing of rice in the market;
- Designed and crafted the National Food Supply and Demand Map, which identified food commodities produced in excess of local requirements and which areas needed them.
- This was in preparation for the National Food Security Master Plan through Food Repositioning;
- Conducted nationwide consultations with Local Government Units (LGUs), Governors, and Mayors to craft the National Food Security Master Plan.
- Included basic infrastructure needs such as Farm-to-Market Roads, Drying Facilities, Processing Facilities, and Irrigation.
With this, I hope people will understand that I took my task as Secretary of Agriculture with a firm commitment to improve the country’s Food Available and Affordability because I assumed this as my mission in life being a farmer’s son.
Governance With Vision & Mission!(FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Manny Pinol)
Every time I share my ideas on how to improve Agriculture and Fisheries in the country, there would be some insulting comments asking “Ano ang ginawa mo noong ikaw ang Secretary?” and “Bakit hindi mo ginawa noon?”
I usually ignore these comments, including those coming from trolls who call me “Bokbok Rice Promoter” and supporter of importers.
The only consolation is that nobody has openly accused me of amassing wealth when I was Secretary of Agriculture.
Just to provide the right context to the “Bokbok Rice” issue, let it be on record that I was not involved in the importation of the weevil-infested rice shipment because at the time, the National Food Authority was not under the Dept. of Agriculture.
I merely showed that the proposal to destroy the shipment of rice with weevils was not right because the rice could just be washed and cooked.
Just like that and I was accused of feeding Filipinos with weevil-infested rice.
To the critics who often ask what I have done as Secretary of Agriculture from July 1, 2016 to Aug. 5, 2019, when I resigned and moved to the Mindanao Development Authority, I am posting here a list of the governance innovations which I introduced during my short stint as DA Secretary.
In all modesty, I personally designed and crafted most of these programs, including SAAD, 4Ks, MMK, BASIL, PLEA & SURE Loaning Programs which are now banner programs of the DA.
I am proud of what I have contributed to the development of Agriculture and fisheries in the country and just to set the records straight, here is a list of what I could remember as notable innovations in governance which I initiated para lang magkaliwanagan:
- Launched the Biyaheng Bukid National Consultative Program
- Brought top officials of the Department of Agriculture to the remotest areas of the country;
- Conducted consultations with Agriculture and Fisheries Stakeholders to help craft effective programs;
- Implemented Masagana 6000, which resulted in the historic high harvest of 19.28-M Metric Tons in 2017 and posted the highest Agriculture Sector Growth of 3.9% in 2017 still unequalled until today;
- Designed and implemented the first Digital Interactive Color-Coded Agriculture Guide Map to help farmers determine what crops to plant in specific areas of the country (www.farmersguidemap.da.gov.ph);
- Free Irrigation Act
- Backed by President Rodrigo Duterte;
- Succeeded in introducing and working for the passage of the Free Irrigation Act for farmers in National Irrigation Administration service areas;
- Condoned Irrigation Free Arrears of farmers nationwide, amounting to about ₱6 billion;
- Introduced the Solar-Powered Irrigation System
- A Department of Agriculture program, later adopted as a national program under the National Irrigation Administration;
- Amended the DA Farm Equipment Distribution Program
- Previously required a 15% equity from Farmers’ Associations.
- Released billions worth of farm equipment during the first six months;
- Coordinated with the Dept. of Trade & Industry
- Crafted Road Maps for Rubber, Mango, Coffee, Cacao, and Coconut Industry;
- Designed and implemented easy access loaning programs
- Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA)
- Survival and Recovery Loaning Program
- Agriculture and Fisheries Machinery & Equipment Loaning
- The PLEA Program was presented at the United Nations during the launching of the Year of the Farm Family;
- Designed and implemented the Search for the Cleanest Coastal Towns under the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan Awards;
- Designed and implemented the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Program
- Seeded the country’s lakes, rivers, and creeks with fingerlings of non-invasive fish species;
- Designed and implemented the first-ever National Program for Agriculture Productivity and Poverty Alleviation
- Targeted Indigenous Peoples’ Communities
- Named 4Ks (Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo);
- Introduced and implemented the Special Area for Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program
- A National Agriculture Productivity and Poverty Alleviation Program.
- Started in North Cotabato.
- Acknowledged by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as one of the most effective poverty alleviation programs of govt.;
- Designed and implemented the National Fishing Boat Building Program by the fisherfolk themselves called FB Pagbabago Program, which built thousands of fiberglass fishing boats;
- Negotiated and succeeded in opening the US and China Market for Philippine Green Coconuts;
- Introduced the “{DA TienDA Program” which introduced regional products to the big Metro Manila markets and assisted in establishing partnerships between farmers’ groups and buyers;
- Initiated the organization of the Philippine Rubber Farmers Association, which was the first step in the development and establishment of Rubber Processing and Manufacturing Facilities in Mindanao;
- Implemented Disease Control Protocols for Avian Influenza following the outbreak of Bird Flu in Central Luzon, which was contained after only 45 days of intensive operations in cooperation with the LGUs;
- Adopted a strong position opposing the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law, which allowed the unimpeded importation of rice—detrimental to the local rice industry and resulting in uncontrolled pricing of rice in the market;
- Designed and crafted the National Food Supply and Demand Map, which identified food commodities produced in excess of local requirements and which areas needed them.
- This was in preparation for the National Food Security Master Plan through Food Repositioning;
- Conducted nationwide consultations with Local Government Units (LGUs), Governors, and Mayors to craft the National Food Security Master Plan.
- Included basic infrastructure needs such as Farm-to-Market Roads, Drying Facilities, Processing Facilities, and Irrigation.
With this, I hope people will understand that I took my task as Secretary of Agriculture with a firm commitment to improve the country’s Food Available and Affordability because I assumed this as my mission in life being a farmer’s son.
