The APTERR Secretariat, together with the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank-Technical Assistance (ADB-TA) consultant successfully concluded an evaluation meeting on 9 September 2025 at the NFA headquarter in Quezon City, the Philippines. The meeting aimed to evaluate and reassess the challenges on the implementation of APTERR Tier 3 programme in order to expedite rapid emergency responses.
Representatives from key agencies in response to the APTERR Tier 3 implementation in the Philippines attended this insight discussion. Notable participants include Dr. Larry R. Lacson, NFA Administrator, Mr. Mark Poul Agner, OIC-Division Chief of Resource Management Division of DSWD and Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat and Mr. Aro Kasakawa, Japanese Expert. The discussion was led by Dr. Lourdes Adriano and Dr. Roehlano Briones, ADB-TA consultants.
Tracing the process from the initial steps of implementation until the delivery of rice to affected beneficiaries, the meeting shared insights and experiences, brainstormed solutions and identified ways to strengthening timely emergency responses and ensure smooth operations. The discussion also generated recommendations for the future improvements to the Tier 3 implementation programme.
Such evaluations have been conducted not only in the Philippines but also in other key APTERR recipient countries under Tier 3, including Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. These efforts are part of ADB’s small- scale technical assistance to accelerate the Tier 3 implementation, particularly in the distribution process, to ensure the rapid and effective delivery of rice assistance to those in needs during the emergencies.
