The document summarizes a consultation meeting held on January 6, 2021 in Alaminos City, Pangasinan for the agriculture, aquaculture, farmers, dairy and fisherfolk cluster. The meeting was attended by around 180 participants from cooperatives in Pangasinan and La Union and discussed issues and concerns in agriculture. Representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture assured farmers that more projects and programs would be brought to support farmers.

1. Consultation Meeting on Agriculture, Aquaculture,
Farmers, Dairy and Fisherfolk
The new Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) charter of 2019 or RA
No. 11364 requires cooperatives to be grouped into six (6) clusters. Each CDA
board director was designated as Oversight Head for each cluster. This paved
the way for the various consultation meetings being conducted nationwide on
each cluster.
Last January 6, 2021, a consultation meeting of the cluster on
Agriculture, Aquaculture, Farmers, Dairy, and Fisherfolk was conducted at the
Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center in Alaminos City Pangasinan. Assistant
Secretary Kristine Y. Evangelista of DA graced the event, together with Asec.
Virgilio R. Lazaga, Asec. Myrla B. Paradillo, Asec. Vidal D. Villanueva III and ED
Ray R. Elevazo of CDA served as resource persons and panelists. The
consultation meeting's objectives are to know the issues, problems, and concerns
on agriculture and inform participants of the various programs and services of
the Department of Agriculture (DA). Around 180 participants from different
cooperatives in Pangasinan and La Union attended the meeting observing health
protocols. The participants conveyed their issues and concerns regarding
agriculture and environment in their respective areas. In reply, the good Asec.
Evangelista assured the farmers-cooperatives that the Department of agriculture
would bring more projects and programs for the farmers.
The consultation meeting was made possible by the strong leadership of
CDA Regional Office 1 Regional Director Josefina B. Bitonio and the supportive
LGU of Alaminos City headed by Mayor Arth Bryan C. Celeste (By: Arlenne C.
Espinoza, CDS II)
Photo documentation: