WHEREAS, the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) was created through a Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 series of 1999, revitalized thru JMC 2004-01 and JMC 2006-01 for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure the attainment of the long-term goals of the rural development sector including sustainable rural development and poverty reduction in line with the targets of the Medium Term Development Plan of the Philippines.

WHEREAS, the context of NCI is to develop and operate a common framework for sustainable rural development (SRD) that will facilitate the convergence of resources of the three national agencies to maximize the impact on countryside and countrywide development in general.

WHEREAS, the initial concern under the NCI was to develop and implement convergence models to demonstrate that synergies can be achieved if the three agencies shall pool and maximize their resources altogether within a defined area and with a common intervention strategy.

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture, being one of the three converging Departments promoting balanced and sustainable rural development, identified specific convergence areas that will be launched within the year 2011.

WHEREAS, with its vision of making rural communities competitive and abounding, the Department of Agriculture adheres to the principle of harmonization, complementation and recognizes the importance of working towards a common goal with the other agencies  in implementing projects geared towards SRD.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PROCESO J. ALCALA, Secretary of  the Department of Agriculture, by the power vested in me do hereby issue this Order, directing all Under- secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Service/Bureau Directors, Heads of Attached Agencies and Corporations, and Regional Directors to adhere all programs and projects towards the direction of the NCI that includes:

a. Prioritization of the National Convergence Initiative identified areas as primary areas for program and project interventions
b. Prioritization of Convergence Initiative activities in Regional/Provincial Work and Financial Programming
c. Synchronizing current programs and projects towards the goals of the National Convergence Initiative
d. Designation of focal persons and dedicated personnel to the National/Regional Technical Working Groups
e. Regular coordination with DAR, DENR and Local Government Units (LGUs)
f. Continuous assistance and monitoring of clusters
g. Making funds available for Convergence Initiative activities

This Order shall take effect immediately.


Adopted: 24 January 2011


(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALA
Secretary