DA embarks on multi-year budget planning

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced it is embarking on a multi-year budget planning process in a bid to implement a criteria-based approach in addressing the country’s agricultural challenges.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said its budget planning initiative forms part of “a broader strategy to achieve more meaningful results in the DA’s programs, ensuring that every peso spent contributes directly to achieving long-term goals such as poverty reduction, farmer welfare, and sustainable economic growth.”

The Agriculture chief cited a “major development” in the budget planning process, which includes the introduction of a standardized set of criteria to evaluate the department’s programs, activities, and projects.

These criteria, according to Laurel, are designed to assess the impact of proposed initiatives on critical areas such as poverty reduction, income improvement for farmers and fishers, enhanced nutrition, and reducing dependency on food imports.

“Additionally, the program and budget evaluation will focus on the cost efficiency, feasibility, and the technical and absorptive capacity of implementing agencies,” the Agriculture chief said.

Tiu Laurel, likewise, emphasized the need to move away from a “business-as-usual” approach as he urged officials of the DA to challenge the status quo in pursuit of agricultural transformation.

He said the DA’s four-year framework, “Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” will guide the department’s budget planning and strategic initiatives.

He said the framework is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda to significantly reduce the country’s poverty rate from 18% to 9% by 2028.

The Agriculture chief said the agency’s newly established evaluation criteria will not only enhance resource allocation but also serve as a tool to measure progress toward these national development goals.

A cornerstone of this strategy is strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the agriculture and fisheries sectors to create a more equitable environment for farmers, fishers, and rural communities.

"Through this initiative, we aim to maximize the benefits of our investments to ensure food security for the nation and uplift the lives of our rural heroes—our farmers and fisherfolk,” said Tiu Laurel.

With the adoption of a clear, criteria-driven approach, the DA is taking decisive steps to ensure that its programs and policies directly benefit the most vulnerable sectors of society. Through careful planning and focused execution, the department is committed to building a stronger, more sustainable and resilient agricultural economy for future generations, according to the Agriculture chief. —KG, GMA Integrated News