DA7 launches FFM, installs farmer director

The Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) launched today, May 6, 2024 the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month (FFM) Celebration to pay tribute and recognition to our hardworking farm/fishing heroes, held at the DA7 Complex in Maguikay, Mandaue City.

The celebration was highlighted with the installation of Grace Cenas, the chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council-7 (RAFC7) as the Farmer Regional Executive Director (FRED), opening of the 3-days Tabo sa DA cum Kadiwa Retail from May 6-8, 2024 and some contests like Pinaka, farmer singing OPM, quiz bee and best attire.

DA7 Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez, together with Regional Technical Directors Cirilo Namoc and Wilberto Castillo, handed the DA banner, sash and certificate of installation to

Cenas, who will assume as FRED for the month.

This is the second year (2023 & 2024) of Cenas to be the FRED based on Memorandum Circular No. 15, that she will perform delegated and non-delegated functions such as routinary, policy and semi-policy activities.

In her message, Director Enriquez, recognized the crucial role of the agriculture and fishery councils (AFC) who are private individuals who volunteered their time and efforts to work closely and strengthen partnership between DA and the various agriculture and fishery sectors.

Director Enriquez also recognized the hardwork of the farmers and fishers, that despite the extreme heat or the El Nino phenomenon that the country is experiencing, our farmers and fishers who are the unsung heroes of today, still continue to till their farmlands and go fishing. She shared and read the message of the Agriculture Secretary for the FFM, and encouraged everyone to ponder and understand fully the gist of his message.

Farmer Rosaflor Estenzo of Catmon, Cebu, who was asked to share her experience on the present weather condition said the farmers are always ready during this kind of weather.

“Kabalo and naanad nami ining panahona nga magkalos mi og tubig sa tubod. Dili ikalimod nga anad na ang farmers, naka-kalendaryo na ang sitwasyon. Nangandam nami sa umaabot og unsa ang amo nga itanum to sustain,” said Estenzo.

(We are used to this kind of weather, we fetched water at the springs. We can’t deny that we are used to it, that we have calendared the situation. In fact, we do prepare ourselves on what already prepared plant for us to sustain.)

RTD Castillo shared that its been 34 years that the FFM was celebrated every month of May per Presidential Decree 33, signed in May 21, 1989.

While RTD Namoc shared the big role of both employees and farmers /fishers on agri-fishery development. The DA’s objective is to help the farmers increase their yield and income. He shared a tagline for the employees and for the farmers to think which state, “kung gusto mo, maraming paraan, kung ayaw mo, maraming dahilan.”