Mr. Jacob B. Labita and Ms. Heycel R. Reyes-Briol of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management under the Department of Agriculture (DA-BSWM) completed the three-session of “Technical Writeshop for the Ms. Heycel R. Reyes-Briol and Mr. Jacob B. Labita of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management under the Department of Agriculture (DA-BSWM) completed the three-session of the “Technical Writeshop for the Formulation and Development of Project Concept Notes (PCNs) on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the Agri-Fisheries Sector in support of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (NAFMIP)” on December 5-9, 2022 in Baguio City, Benguet. The other two sessions were held online on October 18-20, 2022 and in Los Banos, Laguna last October 24-28, 2022.

The three-session PPP writeshop aims to generate and identify prospective Projects in support to NAFMIP The three-session PPP writeshop aimed to generate and identify prospective projects in support of NAFMIP 2021-2030, develop Project Concept Notes (PCNs) and familiarize concerned offices, bureaus, and attached agencies and corporations on the concept of PPP in the agriculture and fisheries sector.

In support of the National Organic Agriculture Program, the BSWM under the leadership of OIC-Director Dr. Gina P. Nilo developed PCN on the establishment of an integrated agro-waste management facility. The initiative aims to standardize the implementation, methodologies and establishment of composting facilities for biodegradable wastes (CFBW), small-scale composting facilities (SSCF), and other composting facilities to promote the organic agricultural system as a viable alternative to conventional production systems. The BSWM is also a contributor of data on agricultural waste profile to the LGU solid waste management plan. However, there is a lack of legal frameworks that will focus on management of wastes from different agricultural commodities. Aside from the construction of agrowaste facility in the three National Soil and Water Resources Research and Development Centers, the proposal also includes the following components: assessment of agro-waste in LGUs as basis for policy, planning and monitoring; conduct of research and development (R&D) to optimize production and costs of products for soil health; and capacity building. Moreover, the PCN is aligned with the One DA Reform Agenda on climate change adaptation and mitigation (9), technology innovations (7), and infrastructure investments (8).

The resource persons from the DA Project Development Services (PDS) gave high support and provided inputs to the establishment of an agro-waste management facility. Mr. Juan Paulo M. Fajardo, Consultant of DA PPP Unit, emphasized that the BSWM’s PCNs had a great improvement from the last two sessions. “The framework to organize the LGU has been clearly presented, several related policies and other DA projects from the sectoral and national context have been incorporated, specific details like activities, implementers and deliverables were covered”, Mr. Fajardo cited.Section 2.1 of RA 7718 otherwise known as the Philippines Build-Operate-and-Transfer Law, provides the legality of BSWM entering into a PPP arrangement with the private sector. The proposal on the Establishment of Agro-waste Management Facility is pursuant to the Republic Act 10068 or Organic Agriculture of 2010, RA 9003 or Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000, and RA 9729 or Climate Change Act of 2009. It also promotes the circular economy through waste management and provision of recycling facilities under NAFMIP 2021-2030 as transformative strategies in commodity system planning.

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