By Kenneth Marcos 
Engr. Cristy Cecilia P. Polido has been officially designated as the new Officer-in-Charge of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), a key agency under the Department of Agriculture tasked with improving mechanization in farming and fishing.
Polido’s appointment marks a new chapter for BAFE, as the agency continues its mission to modernize agriculture and fisheries across the country—especially in rural areas where machinery can help ease manual labor, cut production costs, and raise incomes.
Speaking shortly after her appointment, Polido expressed commitment to strengthen support for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk through innovation and improved access to machinery and infrastructure.
Supporting Farmers Through Technology
For many small-scale farmers, outdated tools and the lack of proper facilities remain big barriers to higher yields and better livelihoods. BAFE plays a critical role in addressing these issues by guiding national policies on agricultural engineering, including farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities, irrigation, and equipment use.
Under Polido’s leadership, the bureau is expected to focus more on inclusive and sustainable mechanization, ensuring that smallholder farmers and fisherfolk—especially those from far-flung communities—receive support that fits their specific needs.
Who Is Engr. Cristy Polido?
Engr. Cristy Polido has served the Department of Agriculture in various engineering capacities for years, gaining wide respect for her technical expertise and advocacy for field-based solutions.
Her appointment as OIC reflects her proven leadership and dedication to public service in the agriculture sector. Colleagues describe her as hardworking, grounded, and deeply committed to helping rural communities benefit from modern engineering technologies.
Vision for BAFE
In a message to staff and partners, Polido shared her vision of stronger partnerships with local government units, academic institutions, and private sector players to push forward agri-fisheries development through engineering solutions.
She also stressed the importance of training and capacity-building for local agricultural engineers, technicians, and operators, ensuring that government investments in equipment and infrastructure are maximized at the grassroots level.
Her leadership comes at a time when the Philippine agriculture sector is under pressure to improve productivity and resilience amid climate change, rising costs, and food security challenges.
Moving Forward
With a renewed focus on modernizing agriculture and fisheries, Polido’s appointment signals a continued commitment to empowering the backbone of the nation—the Filipino farmer and fisherfolk.
The Department of Agriculture has expressed full support for her designation and called on stakeholders to collaborate in achieving a more productive, mechanized, and climate-smart agriculture sector.
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