DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) and the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P) signed an agreement to share information and work together to improve agriculture-related, economic opportunities in Mindanao.  

The agreement on Administrative Procedural Agreement (APA) was signed last Thursday in Davao City by DA-Southern Mindanao Director Dr. Carlos Mendoza and Colonel William Coultrup, the JSOTF-P chief.

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Coultrup said the agreement formalizes a relationship developed over several months between representatives of the DA and JSOTF-P civil affairs teams.

He said the two organizations and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 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 added.

The APA commits the DA and JSOTF-P to share information and support each other’s efforts on humanitarian and civic action projects. 

Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), noted the agreement is the first of its kind between JSOTF-P and a Philippine government organization and he expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the two agencies.

The signing of the agreement, which was held at the Eastmincom headquarters, was presided over by Ferrer.

He said the Eastern Mindanao Command is grateful to both JSOTF-P and the DA-Mindanao Cluster. 

Two projects to establish fish ponds in Munai, Lanao del Notre and in Datu Piang, Maguindanao are in the planning phase as a result of the signing of the agreement. 

The fish ponds projects were coordinated with the assistance of the JSOTF-P and the AFP, with funding from the DA and local government units.

The projects offer the people profitable livelihoods, which reduce poverty and create a more prosperous and peaceful environment in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.