The Negros Oriental Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (NOAFEC) in collaboration with Department of Agriculture-7/Negros Island Region (NIR) though the Provincial Agriculture Coordinating Office (DA7/NIR-PATCO NegOr) held a two-day Agri-Fishery Blue Print Challenge: Critique, Refine Transform on April 3-4, 2025 at a venue in Dumaguete City Negros Oriental

The activity, participated by the Provincial/Municipal/City Agriculturists, technicians, Planning Officers and from DA’s attached agencies, aimed to identify the potential challenges in the agri and fishery sector and recommend areas for improvements, enhance the effectiveness and feasibility of the plans and to make sure that the initiatives are aligned with the national, provincial and local strategic goals.

Leo Pelletero, DA7 PAFES Focal, one of the panelists of the workshop, said the critiquing of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Development Plan (MAFDP) is necessary as inputs and suggestions will serve as basis in the finalization of the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP) for submission in the national level.

He also added that the plans should meet the goals and objectives of DA, which is to reduce poverty, provide food security and increase farmer’s income.
Ben Venardo Cual, NOAFEC focal said the critiquing of the MAFDP will refine the CPAFEP as suggestions, insights and inputs from the panel of jurors will be incorporated.

Jurors were representatives from the government and private sectors, to include Alejandro Rafal of DA7 PATCO-NegOr , Dr. Florencia Mepaña of BFAR7-NegOr, Edward Du of NOCCI, Dr. Dulce Amor Vilan of PVO-NegOr, Dr. Merian Soliva of DA-ATI7, Alex Mor (Provincial Consultant ), Dr. Merivic Catada of NORSU and Dean Joebert Kleine Koerkamp of FU.