At least 32 representatives from different sectors attended the meeting and workshop in response of the Provincial Ordinance No. 35, which is the creation of the Negros Oriental Organic Agriculture Management Council (NOOAMC), last April 3 at the Royal Suites Inn.
Belinda Villahermosa, Secretariat of the NOOAMC, said that “The main purpose of that meeting was to convene the council.”
The persons who attended are those that were stipulated in the ordinance. Some of the participants were Provincial Agriculturist Greg Paltinca, Provincial Veterinarian Solomon Cadiz, Department of Agriculture was represented by Alejandro Rafal, Provincial Health Office by Dr. Felix Sy, Provincial Legal Office by Atty. Buena Vista, Consumer Group Benjie Calderon. Villahermosa also said that they were not able to identify representatives from four groups during that meeting, namely, the churches, academe, marginalized farmers, and Non-Government Organization.
The meeting was presided by the Provincial Administrator Arnel Francisco in lieu of Governor Roel Degamo who was in his hometown in Siaton for fiesta celebration.
According to Villahermosa, the people considered that meeting or workshop a historic event because it will push organic agriculture in the province. “That’s a very big step finally, when everybody will work hand in hand to promote organic agriculture. So it took a lot of time before finally all people were convened and the council was formed. That’s why it’s a huge step towards the great improvement of agriculture in the province,” she said.
The chairman of the council is Governor Roel Degamo. (Angeline Nabua and Donita Bemida)
