The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing the creation of consultative councils to strengthen agricultural policy-making and foster collaboration across the sector. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. revealed the initiative at the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.’s annual meeting on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of partnerships to address challenges such as climate change and resource degradation.
Tiu Laurel explained that these councils would unite representatives from the DA, private sector, farmers, and other stakeholders, creating a more inclusive approach to policy development. The goal is to craft policies and strategies that are more responsive to the sector’s most pressing issues, with Tiu Laurel emphasizing that “only through strong partnerships and dedicated collaboration can we effectively tackle challenges and transform them into opportunities.”
The DA envisions these councils as a key component of the broader effort to enhance stakeholder participation in decision-making, ensuring that farmers, fisherfolk, industry leaders, and local government units have a voice in shaping agriculture policy. This inclusive process aims to generate more effective, targeted solutions that reflect the realities of those directly affected by agricultural challenges.
“The private sector’s expertise and resources are essential for achieving a sustainable, resilient agricultural sector,” Tiu Laurel said, underscoring the role of business in ensuring food security and the long-term viability of agriculture.
In a related development, the DA recently formed a technical working group (TWG) tasked with reviewing its regulatory policies to streamline procedures, eliminate obsolete rules, and reduce red tape. Co-chaired by undersecretaries Asis Perez and Alvin John Balagbag, the TWG will work to harmonize regulations across the DA’s various agencies and address policy gaps, ensuring more efficient, science-based governance in agriculture.
As the sector grapples with the dual pressures of climate change and socio-economic challenges, the DA’s push for consultative councils and regulatory reform reflects a concerted effort to secure the future of Philippine agriculture.
