Calabarzon civil groups urged to get accredited for potential funding

LIPA CITY, Batangas – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 4-A (Calabarzon) on Tuesday urged civil society organizations (CSOs) to apply for government accreditation for possible funding support.

Eda Dimapilis, chairperson of the DA's CSO Regional Technical Committee, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the DA-4A is again holding a regional CSO Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday to explore the kinds of assistance the government can extend to worthwhile projects being pursued by accredited groups.

Participants will also learn about the guidelines, requirements and responsibilities of CSOs as contained in a proposed memorandum of agreement with the DA.

Dimapilis said her agency is keen on providing production support services such as seeds, fertilizers and planting materials, small-scale irrigation support services, marketing development services, research, machinery, post-harvest facilities, infrastructures and lending and financial assistance.

The DA plans to make such summits an annual event across the five-province region.

“If funded, this will be conducted in every province within Calabarzon to cater to additional CSOs and the different stakeholders involved in the CSO accreditation,” she said.

Dimapilis said an earlier meeting was also held on Sept. 25 and 26 that saw the participation of several CSOs and provincial agriculturists and veterinarians.

Also present during the first event were representatives of national agencies and government financial institutions including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Land Bank of the Philippines, among others.

Dimapilis said those eligible for accreditation include civic organizations, cooperatives or federations of cooperatives, non-government organizations (NGOs), people's organizations (POs), indigenous peoples organizations, alliances/network/federation of NGOs/POs and non-profit organizations or foundations whose activities are related to agriculture and fishing.

Accreditation will give them access and opportunity to become beneficiaries of projects and programs implemented by the DA such as the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program, Agri-Pinoy Corn Program, Livestock Program, High Value Crops Development Program, Organic Agriculture Program and Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo or 4K Program.

Carmelita Ramos, head of the CSO Regional Technical Secretariat, is urging all CSOs venturing into or having expertise in agriculture and fisheries and related activities to be partners of the DA in the implementation of its programs and projects.

“They are encouraged to go through the DA-CSO accreditation process and be engaged by the DA and gain the full benefits as co-implementers and beneficiaries of its programs and projects,” Ramos said. (PNA)