TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has committed more than P300 million for farm-to-market roads in Eastern Samar as it renewed its partnership with the provincial government to strengthen agricultural and fisheries extension services aimed at increasing farm productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk.
The renewed collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement under the province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) during the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Summit on July 2.
The agreement reaffirms the commitment of the DA-8 and the provincial government of Eastern Samar to institutionalize a more responsive, coordinated, and inclusive agriculture and fisheries extension system through joint planning, investment, implementation, and monitoring.
During the summit, DA Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas announced that Eastern Samar would receive increased government investments, particularly in infrastructure that would improve agricultural productivity.
“With PAFES, we have committed a much higher fund allocation for Eastern Samar. For farm-to-market roads alone, we have allocated a total of P304 million. I hope this package will be complemented by the local government and the private sector,” he said.
Aside from the PAFES agreement, the DA and the provincial government also signed a separate memorandum of agreement for the co-financing of projects under the 2026 Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Program (CPAFEP).
The agreement commits both parties to jointly finance and implement priority agricultural and fisheries projects designed to increase production, improve farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes, and promote sustainable rural development across the province.
Governor Ralph Vincent ‘RV’ Evardone welcomed the renewed partnership, saying collaboration between the national and local governments is essential to achieving long-term growth in Eastern Samar’s agriculture sector.
“We are united in advancing the agriculture sector in our province. We are grateful that the Department of Agriculture is here to help our farmers and fisherfolk. As a provincial government, we give our full support to this initiative,” he said.
PAFES is the DA’s flagship program that harmonizes agricultural extension services between the national government and local government units, ensuring that government programs, technologies, and investments effectively reach farmers and fisherfolk at the grassroots level.
The initiative also supports the DA’s “Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas” agenda and serves as the primary platform for implementing agricultural devolution under Executive Order No. 103, Series of 2025.
Officials said the renewed partnership is expected to strengthen agricultural governance in Eastern Samar by fostering greater collaboration among government agencies, local government units, farmers’ organizations, and development partners while enhancing food security, increasing the competitiveness of the province’s agriculture and fisheries sector, and building more resilient farming and fishing communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
