Establishment of Prov’l ABE Office needed; Kalinga may lose priority agri funds without it – BM Donaal

Tabuk City, Kalinga — To significantly strengthen the province’s agricultural and fisheries sector, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Christopher Dona-al is pushing for an ordinance recommending the establishment of the Office of the Provincial Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer (ABE).

The proposed ordinance, now on its third reading, aims to provide crucial engineering interventions and support systems needed to modernize and improve the province’s farming sector.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Dona-al emphasized the urgent need for the office, explaining that its creation is a mandatory requirement of the national government—something Kalinga has yet to comply with.

Dona-al clarified that the position is not optional but required under national law, and that many other provinces have already complied by establishing their respective ABE offices.

Because of this, he warned that failure to create the office would result in Kalinga being excluded from the national priority list for agricultural assistance.

“Kasapulan tayo nga maaramid immediately because it is a mandatory position. Ti daduma nga probinsya ket nakacreate dan, datayo ket awan pay. Apay nga importante daytoy? Importante ta pronouncement ti national government, ti presidente Bongbong Marcos, kunana nga ti maiprioritize ket dagiti LGUs nga ada ti ABE office. By the term itself, engineering intervention—improving agricultural produce,” Dona-al said.

The board member further shared that on October 30, 2025, the national government announced that the management and implementation of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) will be transferred from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of Agriculture (DA), and will be overseen by the provincial ABE offices.

Thus, without the PABE, Dona-al stressed that Kalinga would be unable to implement future FMR projects.

“Daytoy last October 30, adda pronouncement manen that the management of farm-to-market roads is no longer under DPWH; it will now be under DA and through the Provincial ABE. Haan tayo nga mabalin nga i-implement dagitoy FMR projects nu awan ti ABE. Ket kasapulan tayo ti FMRs ditoy Kalinga ta agricultural province tayo. Advantage daytoy ta sigurado nga adu ti dumawat nga kakailyan lalo ta kalpasan ti bagyo,” he added.

According to the proposed ordinance, the office—under the supervision of the Office of the Provincial Governor—will also be responsible for technical regulation, capacity building for farmers, and coordination with national agencies, among other functions.