The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 3 (DA-RFO 3), located in San Fernando City, Pampanga, is the primary government agency tasked with the implementation of agricultural programs and policies across Central Luzon. Covering seven provinces—Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales—DA-RFO 3 supports the region’s role as one of the country’s top agricultural producers, particularly in rice and high-value crops.
Core Functions and Services
DA-RFO 3 provides strategic services across various areas of the agriculture sector, including:
- Production Support Services: Supplies certified seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization equipment for rice, corn, vegetables, livestock, and fisheries.
- Market Linkage and Trade Facilitation: Facilitates buyer-seller meetings, market matching, trade fairs, and the KADIWA ni Ani at Kita program to directly connect producers with consumers and institutional markets.
- Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMAD): Offers business advisory, product development, labeling, and access to credit and investment opportunities for agri-MSMEs and cooperatives.
- Price Monitoring and Market Intelligence: Gathers real-time pricing data to inform producer decisions and stabilize regional markets.
- Extension Services and Capacity Building: Delivers continuous training and technical assistance in climate-resilient farming, integrated pest management, and farm business planning.
These services contribute to the region’s agricultural resilience and competitiveness.
Regional Strengths and Focus
Central Luzon is a critical agricultural zone with:
- Top rice-producing provinces like Nueva Ecija, which supplies a significant share of the country’s rice output
- Expansive vegetable and fruit production belts in Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales
- Livestock and poultry hubs, especially in Bulacan and Bataan
- Agri-industrial growth corridors that integrate production with processing and logistics
DA-RFO 3 aligns regional programming with commodity strengths, ensuring targeted support and market responsiveness.
Target Stakeholders
The office serves a diverse set of beneficiaries, including:
- Smallholder farmers and fisherfolk
- Farmer cooperatives and associations
- Women-led and youth agripreneur groups
- Agri-MSMEs and food processors
- Local government units (LGUs) and community-based food councils
Programs are designed to ensure inclusivity, sustainability, and enterprise scalability.
Operational Reach and Infrastructure
DA-RFO 3 operates through provincial offices and programmatic clusters that deliver:
- Input distribution systems via accredited suppliers and LGU partners
- KADIWA stores, rolling markets, and institutional procurement linkages
- Enterprise incubation support through AMAD’s technical and promotional services
- Coordination with agencies like DTI, DOST, and TESDA for holistic value chain support
The regional structure supports swift and equitable program deployment.
Performance Metrics and Economic Impact
According to the agency’s performance reports:
- Over ₱6.5 billion allocated for Central Luzon agri-programs between 2021–2023
- More than 750 farmer groups and MSMEs assisted annually through agribusiness support services
- ₱400 million in farmgate sales facilitated under KADIWA platforms and institutional trade linkages
- Nueva Ecija alone contributed over 17% of national rice production in 2023, underscoring the region’s strategic role
- Coordinated post-African Swine Fever (ASF) livestock repopulation across Pampanga and Bulacan
These figures reflect the agency’s broad reach and developmental impact in the region.
Compliance and Regulatory Governance
DA-RFO 3 operates under:
- The Commission on Audit (COA) for financial accountability
- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) fiscal protocols
- Department of Agriculture central policies and roadmaps, including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)
- National guidelines on GAD, youth inclusion, and IP engagement
Regular program evaluations ensure transparency and performance efficiency.
Community Recognition and Impact
DA-RFO 3 has received commendations for:
- Fast and equitable distribution of input subsidies and emergency relief
- Strengthening agribusiness enterprise clusters in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija
- Supporting the recovery of farmers impacted by natural disasters and market disruptions
Testimonials highlight increases in farm productivity, expanded market access, and improved enterprise capacity.
Major Achievements
- Established KADIWA Regional Trading Hubs in Pampanga and Tarlac
- Enabled value-adding enterprises for onions, corn, and livestock through DA grant support
- Facilitated regional agri-investment summits with private sector commitments in logistics and food processing
- Championed climate-smart rice production technologies, reducing input costs while increasing yields across several LGUs
Through its enterprise-first approach, robust technical capacity, and region-specific programming, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 3 continues to be a pillar of agricultural transformation and rural development in Central Luzon.
