Bontoc, Mtn. Province – In the Kapitolyo sa Radyo program, a radio program at the Radio Natin sponsored by the provincial government, it was known on June 8, 2023 that a new office in the provincial government is now operational.
The Office of the Provincial Agricultural and Biosystem Engineers (OPABE) is the new office.
According to Engr. Winston Beyden, the head of the office, OPABE was created by Provincial Ordinance No. 465 and implemented through Administrative Order No. 13, series 2023.
Provincial Ordinance No. 482 has transferred four engineers from the Provincial Agriculturist Office to man the new office. They are complimented by Job Orders.
But this creation was also a mandate of the national government for all LGUs to establish this office through Republic Act No. 10915 otherwise known as Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016 and CSC Memorandum Circular No. 12, series of 2022 this office that made mandatory the creation of this office.
It was known that Mountain Province is the only province in the entire Cordillera Region to establish this office; a separate department at that.
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr was credited for his compliance to national laws such as this. Of course, this would not have been possible if not with the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in enacting implementing ordinances.
The new office has three divisions; the Engineering Plans, Design and Specification, the Program and Project Management Division, and the Standard Regulation Division.
Beyden informed that these are but proposed for the approval of the governor.
Among others, the new office offers to provide agricultural and biosystems engineering services that include engineering surveys, preparation and evaluation of plans, designs, technical specifications, feasibility studies, and program of works for irrigation, soil and water conservation and management, small farm reservoir, farm machinery, slaughter houses, farm to markets roads and other agricultural fisheries and biosystems infrastructure projects for funding by the provincial government.
The office is to formulate also the Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan and Program, and oversee, coordinate or provide province-wide training and extension activities to farmers and fisherfolks particularly in the installation, operation, and maintenance of irrigation, post-harvest facilities, agricultural, fishery and biosystems projects.
On query by John Tay-og Pelew, the Radio Station Manager, on whether proposals from the private sector can be accepted and handled by the office, Beyden said that the proposals may come from the private sector or farmers’ associations and not from individual farmers.
Pelew also inquired on the relationship of the office to the existing Provincial Agriculturist Office and the Provincial Engineering office. The response was that office will work in coordination with the said offices especially that OPABE is still new.
However, Beyden said that their office response would depend on their availability or if they can squeeze the proposals on their schedules.
He expressed appreciation for the invitation to the radio so they can advocate about the establishment of the new office and the public will be informed of their programs and services.** Roger U. Sacyaten
