PAA Luzon-wide Cluster Tackles Policy Campaigns

PAA Chairperson Dr. Roberto F. Ranola, Jr. (bottom, center); PAA National President Dr. Karen S. Bautista (bottom, right); PAA National Vice President Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. (top, 3rd from left); and representatives from PAA Luzon Cluster

Following the successful dialogues with the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) Mindanao and Visayas Clusters held last 7 February and 7 March, respectively, the PAA Luzon Cluster meeting was held at Royce Hotel in Clark Pampanga last 16 March.

During the consultation and coordination meeting, officers from the PAA national office and selected representatives from PAA Regions I, III, IV-B, V, CAR and NCR (online) were present.

Dr. Karen S. Bautista, PAA National President, presided at the meeting where she reported the efforts of the PAA to serve the Filipino agriculturists through various activities in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Information and Communication Campaigns, and Policy Advocacy.

Highlighting the lack of enabling law for the agriculture profession against the other 46 regulated professions under the Professional Regulation Commission, the PA Bill supports the exigency of enactment of the Philippine Agriculturists Bills (filed under House Bill 9725 and Senate Bill 2535).

Moreover, PAA regional presidents were advised to lobby for the support of the PA Bill from their respective representatives.

The PAA headquarters declared its intention to strengthen its role as a leading professional organization, pushing for legislative support and public awareness in the professionalization of the field of agriculture in the country. In its recent efforts, the PAA launched the Panglantaw policy fora to address issues affecting the agriculture sector. Mr. Gerardo P. Banawa of the PAA CAR suggested looking into the rapid appraisal results to be one of the topics for future episodes of the said fora.

In its future plans, the PAA will invite BS Agriculture students from State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) in the country to constitute the PAA Young Agriculturists. This is PAA’s commitment to encourage participation from budding agriculturists in uplifting the agriculture sector.

The PAA Luzon Cluster meeting ended with a consensus to continue providing high-quality services among its professional members in both the regional and national levels.