PHilMech hosts DA assessment on foreign-assisted projects
by Jona T. Paulo and Joanna Aquin R. HofileƱa (August 13, 2024)
PHilMech hosted the midyear assessment for the Department of Agriculture's (DA) foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) on August 6 to 9 at the agency's main office in Nueva Ecija. The DA's Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division (SPCMAD) led the activity.
The assessment began with opening remarks from Usec. Jerome V. Oliveros, DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and ODA - Foreign Aid/Grants, and Asec. Arnel V. De Mesa, CESO III, Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and ODA - Foreign Aid/Grants, and DA Spokesperson.
In his speech, Usec. Oliveros emphasized the significance of the midyear assessment in ensuring the success of the Department's projects.
"This event is more than just a review; it's an opportunity to take stock of our progress, address our challenges, and refine our strategies moving forward. Our ultimate goal is to uplift the agricultural sector, enhance food security, and improve the lives of our farmers and rural communities," he stated.
Meanwhile, Asec. De Mesa echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of accountability and collaboration.
"Our gathering today underscores our shared commitment to excellence and accountability. We are taking decisive steps toward achieving our goals by closely reviewing our progress and addressing the challenges. I commend the SPCMAD, AMDP, and KOICA for their dedication to ensuring the success of our projects," he said.
The assessment reviewed the physical and financial performance of both Foreign-Aided and Locally Funded Projects for the first Semester of CY 2024. Participants discussed the challenges hindering efficient project implementation, recommended strategies to overcome these obstacles, and shared good practices that could be replicated in other projects.
The three-day event produced several key outputs, including the Final Progress Report of PMOs, which detailed the projects' progress; a Resolved Issues and Concerns and Action Plan, developed to address challenges identified during the discussions; and the CY 2024 Midyear Assessment Proceedings, which documented the key insights and recommendations from the event.