In line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) efforts to efficiently implement agriculture and fishery programs, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) streamlined its organizational structure effective 4 January 2021.

The rebooting was opportune as DA recently implemented the 12 key strategies under the “One DA” holistic framework and inclusive approach  which aims to reach a 2.5 percent growth target for the sector by year end.

At the helm were Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, the new DA-BAR director, and Joell H. Lales, as the bureau’s new OIC-assistant director. Lales, formerly DA-BAR-Program Development Division head, replaced Digna L. Sandoval who opted to retire early.

The bureau will be working under its three divisions: Research Program Development Division (RPDD), Research Coordination Division (RCD), and Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD).

RPDD is in charge of planning, formulation, and updating of national and regional RDE agenda and program as well as facilitating the review, evaluation, and funding of project proposals.

Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera and Cynthia Remedios V. De Guia will serve as acting-division head and OIC-assistant division head, respectively.

RCD will coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of agriculture and fishery RDE projects and activities. Anthony B. Obligado, head; and Julia A. Lapitan, assistant head, will lead the division’s four sections. 

KMISD is responsible for translating RDE outputs into useful knowledge products and services and enhancing access to scientific literature and information exchange with the National Research and Development System in Agriculture and Fisheries institutions and organizations.

Salvacion M. Ritual as head and Evelyn H. Juanillo as assistant head will be on top for the division.

Meanwhile, the administrative support services of the bureau will be under the leadership of the bureau’s assistant director. 

The organizational reboot was based on the Department of Budget and Management-approved rationalization plan of the bureau.