After the oath-taking ceremony, Dir. Rico congratulated and welcomed the newly appointed employees who all passed through a rigid selection process under the DA-BAFE Personnel Selection Board or PSB.
Dir. Rico shared that Mr. Asis, formerly from the DA-Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (DA-AFIS), provided information dissemination support in pushing for the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law (AfMech Law or R.A. 10601) way back in 2013 and the first-ever ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ACABE 2013) in September 2013. Mr. Asis shared his plans to promote public awareness on DA-BAFE’s programs, projects, and activities through various multimedia platforms.
Mr. Dupla is a certified trainer assessor in tractor servicing. He thanked BAFE for giving him the opportunity to be a part of the agency and promised to do his best to enhance the performance and reach out to more stakeholders.
Ms. Dumaguing was promoted from a Contract of Service (COS) Engineer II to permanent Engineer II. She honored God for the chance given to her and looks forward to serve BAFE in her new role. She likewise expressed gratitude to Dir. Rico and Engr. Tapel for trusting her capabilities.
Mr. Baradi started his first job in DA-BAFE as a contract of service assigned as Planning Officer. Dir. Rico said that Baradi will continue his role as Planning Officer in the meantime under the Office of the Director.
Mr. Caldoza is a part of the PPMD’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS) project, as the system developer, that is gaining popularity in the DA offices. He vowed to continue improving his performance and put all his effort to help BAFE accomplish its function and mandate.
Mr. Peralta is a native of North Cotabato and formerly from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). He thanked BAFE for the trust and said he did not expect to get the item. “Thank you po sa pagtitiwala. I never expect na makapasok at saka makakuha ng item,” said Peralta. He honed his experience in MIS (Management Information System) while working at PRDP.
The first batch of permanent employees (seventeen in total) took their oath of office earlier in December 2020. They were Medardo M. Ayson III (Administrative Assistant III) under OD; Josefa G. Quillope (Engineer IV), Glenn M. Oca (Engineer II), Denver Camania (Engineer III), Ronald Melvin R. Rosas (Engineer II), Madel E. Vidallon (Engineer II), Mary Jane L. Lazatin (Engineer II) under PPMD; Romel A. Caballero (Engineer I), Alexander Nicole L. Tan (Engineer II), Desiree Joy R. Salvatera (Engineer III) under EPDSD; Abbygail Jaylo (Engineer II), Jefferson Bore (Engineer I), Jesson Garcia (Engineer I), Arjay P. Sabasaje (Engineer IV), Mark Twain A. Limbo (Engineer III), Jeseca Mey Mendoza (Engineer II), and Janice P. Vargas (Engineer V) under SRED.
BAFE currently has about 100 employees consisting of 60 plantilla positions, 30 contract of service (COS) employees, 22 employees at the FMRDP (Farm to Market Road Development Program) and 18 more vacant positions. Dir. Rico encouraged contract of service employees to apply for a promotion on the vacant permanent positions. “Puwede pa kayo mag-apply for a promotion,” he added.
Dir. Rico fosters an open-door policy and told employees to approach him and Engr. Tapel if they have any work-related problems, issues, and concerns. He emphasized the need to maintain good working relationship in the office. Although BAFE is a new bureau, it oversees the operation of the RAEDs (Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions) and is starting to expand its network in the local government units (cities and municipalities) as well as other attached agencies of DA.
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar including the DA Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries have great trust and expressed interest in BAFE, said Dir. Rico.
Assistant Director Juana Tapel reiterated the importance of having a good working relationship among employees in order for the bureau to function effectively, efficiently, and successfully in its endeavors. Engr. Tapel said that both Dir. Rico and she have many plans for the organization.
She mentioned the proposed Urban Agriculture bill and pushing for the addition of two new divisions under BAFE. They are also lobbying for the creation of the agency’s counterparts in the regions and the Administration and Finance division. Engr. Tapel sought full support of the employees and reminded them to be humble all the time for BAFE to be successful. “We have to be humble, we have to go down. Trust and help each other para sa ikauunlad ng BAFE,” she concluded.###Marshall Louie Asis, DA-BAFE / Photos courtesy of AMC (Published on March 2, 2021)