More than 170 agriculture and fisheries (A&F) projects were evaluated across the seven provinces of Central Luzon from May 18 to 21, 2026.
As part of the 2026 Participatory Monitoring and Tracking (PMT) activity, the 蝌蚪视频 (PCAF) spearheaded the evaluation of the projects across Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales. The initiative aims to strengthen oversight of Department of Agriculture (DA)-funded projects through active stakeholder engagement.
鈥淢insan, hindi natin agad napapansin ang mga challenges during the implementation ng ating mga programa. Pero naniniwala ako na these challenges are meant to be addressed and resolved, kaya malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa ginawa ninyong monitoring,鈥� said Dr. Arthur Dayrit, DA Regional Field Office (RFO) III Regional Technical Director for Operation, and Extension and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division.
Dr. Dayrit welcomed the insights gained from the PMT, noting that they provided the clarity needed to align regional initiatives with realities on the ground.
He called on program implementers, banner program representatives, and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers to approach all observations, whether critical or commendatory, with a proactive mindset. He emphasized that the team is united by a singular objective: to continuously improve service quality for farmers and fisherfolk.
These span several banner programs, including the National Rice Program, National Livestock Program, National Corn Program, High Value Crops Development Program, National Organic Agriculture Program, National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program.
Participatory Monitoring and Tracking (PMT) is PCAF鈥檚 collaborative governance mechanism that institutionalizes the involvement of industry stakeholders, specifically the Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) and National Sectoral Committee (NSC) members, to monitor and track agri-fishery plans, budgets, and DA-funded projects.
It serves as a vital strategy for transparency and advocacy, empowering civil society to validate reported accomplishments and encourages corrective measures, thereby optimizing the delivery of agricultural programs through meaningful stakeholder engagement.
The PMT efforts covered various interventions such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, cold storage, and heavy machinery like tractors and harvesters.
The activity highlighted critical issues regarding equipment underutilization, the need for better technical training, and concerns over the durability of specific machinery brands. Additionally, the team noted data discrepancies and procurement-driven delays.
During the PMT Exit Conference, the new status 鈥淔or Utilization (Deferred Utilization)鈥� was introduced on the project monitoring framework. This category joins the existing classifications 鈥淔ully Utilized,鈥� 鈥淯nderutilized,鈥� 鈥淣ot Utilized,鈥� and 鈥淒oes Not Exist鈥� to provide a more precise account of asset deployment.
The update, which originated during the March PMT Exit Conference in Eastern Visayas, aims to refine PMT reporting by distinguishing between stagnant projects and those simply awaiting the appropriate operational window.
For instance, assets delivered after the land preparation or harvest season cannot be immediately deployed. However, under this status, it is expected that it will be utilized in the next applicable cropping or production cycle.
鈥淭his is why PMT matters. It is making sure projects (and equipment) truly deliver a positive impact to farmers and fishers. It is about catching small gaps before they become expensive problems,鈥� said PCAF Executive Director Bernadette De Los Santos.
Aside from Dr. Dayrit and Dir. De Los Santos, Central Luzon Farmer-Director (FRED) and Regional AFC (RAFC) Vice Chairperson, Engr. Francisco Hernandez also joined the Municipal and Provincial AFCs at the Exit Conference on May 21 in Pampanga.
DA FRED and RAFC Vice Chair Hernandez also joined the actual monitoring in Nueva Ecija along with National Sectoral Committee Chairperson on Rice and Other Food Staples, Hazel Tanchuling.
Meanwhile, in response to the findings, the DA RFO III and program leads have committed to implementing corrective actions and policy recommendations to resolve these implementation bottlenecks on or before July 27, within the 45 working-day deadline provided to address the observed issues and submit formal feedback. | Jezebel Campaniel
