DA, US forge agreement on information sharing

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the United States’ Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines forged here an agreement over the weekend to share information that would help in the economic development of Mindanao.

Dr. Carlos Mendoza, DA Southern Mindanao director, and Col. William Coultrup of the United States Army, JSOTF-P chief, signed the Administrative Procedural Agreement (APA) that provides for information sharing by both parties in the implementation of projects in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer witnessed the signing of the APA, which was held at the Eastmincom headquarters inside Camp Panacan, this city.

“This agreement formalizes a relationship developed over several months between representatives of the Department of Agriculture and JSOTF-P civil affairs teams,” said Coultrup.

“Both organizations and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are working together to create agriculture-related economic opportunities. By offering profitable livelihoods, we hope to reduce poverty and create a more prosperous and peaceful environment in conflicted areas,” he said.

JSOTF-P public affairs Chief Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb told The STAR that the projects include the setting up of fish ponds in Munai, Lanao del Norte and in Dato Piang, Maguindanao.

“The construction of the ponds was coordinated with the assistance of the JSOTF-P and the AFP, with funding from the DA and local government units. These programs offer the people profitable livelihoods, which reduce poverty, and create a more prosperous and peaceful environment in conflict-affected areas,” Lobb added.

The projects under APA would be included in the existing Kapit-Bisig framework of the JSOTF-P and the AFP that encompasses other humanitarian and civic action programs.

“We share with the Department of Agriculture the information that we gather, which in turn would help identify areas where the projects would be more beneficial. Our civil affairs teams are working in the communities, we are in contact with the people in the communities. That is why we would also help identify which areas need such projects to create an economic environment where people have options,” Lobb said.

Ferrer said the APA is the first economy-related endeavor of JSOTF-P and the AFP.

“The Eastmincom is grateful to both the Department of Agriculture-Mindanao cluster and the JSOTF-P for coming up with an APA that will also benefit our tactical units in conflict-affected areas, while both have been sharing information and have been actually conducting joint activities, formalizing the first step of joint projects serves to institutionalize the process of cooperation and collaboration. This APA is a first for JSOTF-P and a government agency and hopefully, not the last,” Ferrer said.