By Kenneth Marcos 
In a small training room in Quezon City, government workers huddled over laptops, learning how a new online system could change the way agriculture and fisheries are regulated across the country. For many, it was a glimpse of a simpler, faster future in public service.
On September 15, the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) held a three-day workshop to develop the ARREMIS User Manual, a key step in rolling out a nationwide digital platform to improve regulatory processes in the agri-fisheries sector.
Easier, Faster, More Transparent
The system, called ARREMIS or the Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering Regulatory Management Information System, is a new digital tool designed to make regulatory work easier, more transparent, and more efficient.
Developed by BAFE’s Standards Regulation and Enforcement Division (SRED), ARREMIS aims to help regional and local agricultural engineers perform their duties faster — from issuing permits to monitoring compliance with national standards.
“The goal is simple: to reduce red tape and improve the quality of public service,” said one of the organizers. “With ARREMIS, we want our regional staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time helping farmers and fisherfolk.”
Stronger Local Implementation
The workshop was attended by representatives from the Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions (RAED) under the Standards Regulation and Enforcement Sections (SRES). These teams play a key role in enforcing engineering standards in farming and fisheries, such as the construction of irrigation systems, storage facilities, and other post-harvest infrastructure.
Through the training, the RAED-SRES participants learned how to use ARREMIS to track projects, file reports, and share data with the central office — all in real time. This ensures a more unified and accurate approach to regulation, regardless of region or location.
The user manual being developed will serve as a step-by-step guide for all government personnel using the system, ensuring that everyone follows the same procedures and understands the system’s features.
Why It Matters
In many rural areas, farmers and fisherfolk often face delays in accessing support services due to slow and outdated government processes. By going digital, BAFE hopes to speed up the delivery of services and improve infrastructure projects that directly affect food production and income in the countryside.
According to BAFE, ARREMIS will not only help in monitoring projects but will also make it easier for the government to collect and analyze data — which is crucial in planning better policies and investments in the agriculture sector.
This is especially important now, as the country continues to face challenges such as rising food prices, climate-related disasters, and declining productivity in some areas.
Toward Modern and Inclusive Governance
The development of ARREMIS reflects the government’s broader push for digital transformation in public service, aligned with the goals of “Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.”
BAFE also assured the public that data privacy and security measures are in place to protect sensitive information shared through the platform.
As ARREMIS is rolled out in more regions, BAFE encourages local government units and other stakeholders to fully support the shift toward modern, data-driven governance — one that makes public service more accessible, transparent, and inclusive for all.
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