On May 6, 2021, the Agriculture Dialogue and Information Network Groups (ADING) Program convened representatives from different civil society organizations, including youth, women, non-government organizations, local government units, and the academe, to thresh out participatory processes and strategies in line with its objectives.
The ADING Program was established by Agriculture Secretary William Dar in 2020, and seeks to enhance and upgrade practices and further improve the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) responsiveness to the needs of the agri-fishery sector by engaging in public consultation; institutionalize the value of honesty in daily processes; and strengthen the impact of the DA’s programs to the needs of its stakeholders. In particular, the ADING focuses on engaging civil society groups who are mostly consumers. Representatives of civil society, youth, religious and civic organizations have been invited to join as Integrity Associates. This seeks to complement the long-existing partnership between the Department and agri-producer stakeholders through the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).
The DA, through the ADING Program, aims to establish good governance and anti-corruption mechanisms towards an effective and efficient implementation of projects and programs for the attainment of the national agenda towards food security and relative undertakings.
The ADING Program Management Committee led by Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rodolfo Vicerra, on the other hand, shall adopt and implement participatory mechanisms in consultation with civil society representatives. These include participatory monitoring and validation, joint assessment and evaluation, consultative and agenda-setting activities, participation as observers in the procurement by the Bids and Awards Committee, and monitoring prices of agricultural products. He added that integrity, which is reflective of honesty and truthfulness, is key in the active partnerships that DA is forming with various stakeholders.
“It would be best if this (program) can be institutionalized as soon as possible (for us) to monitor and evaluate the DA programs and really know what aspects we should improve or retain,” said Sangguniang Kabataan representative Cristuto Mongado III.
Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council representative Floro Dalapag also supported the suggestion of reviewing available monitoring reports and reviewing the monitoring and evaluation process to avoid duplication and focus on how the process could be enhanced.
Under Administrative Order No. 21 series of 2020, which was signed by Secretary Dar in May last year, partners will form the integrity circles that shall serve as the Department’s dialogue partners in institutionalizing transparency and accountability. They shall also help enhance integrity practices and develop the responsiveness of the DA programs and projects to the needs of the public and the agriculture sector.
“I would like to highlight the term ‘integrity’ which is related to honesty and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. It is reflective of what Secretary Dar promotes in the ‘oneDA’ family and in line with the government’s anti-corruption campaign,” Undersecretary Vicerra said.
To better serve the Filipino people, the DA continues to push for initiatives focused on improving public’s trust and confidence in the government.
“Kailangan natin ng katulad ninyo na tumululong sa amin. We must look at everything that we do in DA because we cannot afford to lose so much in terms of government resources. We are glad that volunteers like you are willing to take the risk, invest time, and have commitment to what we are doing,” Undersecretary for Regulations and ADING Program Vice Chairperson Zamzamin Ampatuan said. ###
