MAFAR CO-CHAIRS PCC AND PARTICIPATES IN PROJECT INCEPTION MEETING
With the intention to contribute to attaining sustainable peace and development not just in the BARMM but in the whole of Mindanao, the MAFAR, through Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob participated in the Project Inception Meeting held at the ACE Hotel and Suites, Pasig City on February 24, 2020.
Funded by the Government of South Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the project is called “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development (GCP/PHI/069/ROK) and is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), the MAFAR, and the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XII.
The Project Coordination Committee (PCC) has been organized and is co-chaired by Minister Yacob and Director Arlan Mangelen of DA-RFO XII. It is membered by Hon. Governor Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, Hon. Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, UN-FAO Representative in the Philippines Ms. Xiangjun Yao, and KOICA Country Director Mr. Song Minhyeon.
According to Ismael E. Trasmonte, Jr., OIC-Project Team Leader from UN-FAO, the committee is responsible for providing general oversight and coordination of the project.
The meeting was highlighted by the presentation of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) by the Project Team with explanation of its agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and DRR-CCA components including the mechanisms of project implementation.
Through a resolution, the PIP was then presented and endorsed by Team Leader Trasmonte, Jr., serving as ex-officio member of the PCC.
After careful deliberation and discussions of issues and concerns, PCC Chairs Yacob and Mangelen approved the PIP.
Minister Yacob said the approved PIP shall mainly serve as a guide for the project implementers in ensuring the smooth and systematic implementation of the project activities.
The meeting was also attended by UN-FAO Assistant Representative Tamara Palis-Duran, KOICA Deputy Country Director Hwang Jaesang with their messages of support.