In its pursuit of further improving the services and programs of the high-value crops sector in the region, the DA-Caraga High-Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) held a coordination meeting on June 11 in Butuan City, with the High-Value Crops Development Program – Program Management Office (HVCDP-PMO) team.

The primary objective of the meeting was to discuss the proposed plan and budget for 2024 based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP). Simultaneously, the meeting aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of the program’s physical and financial accomplishments as of August 2023.

Regional Technical Director for Operations, Rebecca R. Atega, emphasized that the coordination meeting sought to determine the goals that the HVCDP is striving to achieve in both the present and the future.

“I hope that through this meeting, we can generate positive outcomes that will benefit the performance of the region’s HVCDP,” Dir. Atega said.

Additionally, the HVCDP team, led by Regional HVCDP Coordinator Dailinda Mamalis, visited the City Government of Butuan, where they met with City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada. Among the key topics discussed was Butuan’s agricultural development plan, with a focus on the city’s aspiration to become the AgriHub in the region.

The HVCDP-PMO team, comprised of Jeffrey Venterez, Carl Gapasin, and Francisca Bormeda, also conducts field visits and interviews to validate the timely implementation, status, and impact of HVCDP projects and activities.

In attendance at the meeting were RAFC Chair Christopher H. Lindo, Research Chief Edelmira Luminarias, DLRRS Chief Catherine Juyno, Tagbina RES OIC Frank Tusoy, Trento RES SRS II Ismael Cabalinan, and RAED Engr. I Joelyn Salve. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso/DA13RAFIS)