Manila, Oct. 22 -- Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday expressed support for the Department of Agriculture's (DA) province-led agriculture and fisheries extension system (PAFES), describing it as a key step toward strengthening local agricultural governance.

Data from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) showed that as of June 2025, 74 of 76 provinces have signed memoranda of agreement under the PAFES program, while 73 have established Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Committees and 55 have completed their provincial extension plans.

During the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform hearing, Pangilinan stressed the need to give more authority and support to the DA-from the regional to the municipal lev...