In just a few weeks, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Leonardo Caparida will turn 69. Yet whenever the RAFC staff call on him to attend an activity or sign important documents, he responds without hesitation, without compensation, and without fanfare, traveling from his home to wherever his presence is needed.
His reason is simple and sincere: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want the farmers鈥� and fishers鈥� concerns to be delayed.鈥�
For over three decades, RAFC Chairperson Caparida has been a steady figure in the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFC) across the country. As the regional chairperson, he has become both the voice and bridge of farmers and fisherfolk in the Zamboanga Peninsula, where agriculture is not just a livelihood but a lifeline.
His leadership, built on grit and grounded in empathy, has transformed a personal dream into a collective movement for growth and empowerment across the agriculture and fisheries sector.
Born on December 9, 1957 in Zamboanga del Sur, Caparida grew up surrounded by the rhythm of rural life. His parents were farmers, and their humble way of living taught him the value of hard work and perseverance. As the middle child of three siblings, each took a different path. One entered the military, another joined the police service but Caparida chose to remain close to the land.
After finishing his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Southern Mindanao College, he did not immediately work in government or the private agricultural sector. Instead, he started as a teacher, instructing Grades 1 and 2 pupils in a public elementary school.
It was in that classroom that he learned his first lessons in leadership: patience, the ability to simplify complex ideas, and the importance of nurturing growth through compassion and support.
But life would soon take him on a journey beyond the classroom. After short stints with the Philippine Coconut Authority and several years working abroad in Malaysia and Brunei, Caparida returned home with a renewed sense of purpose.
He opened an agricultural supply business in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, which thrived for decades. Little did he know, that enterprise would prepare him for a greater calling. Later, he joined Jardine Davies (now Jardine Distribution, Inc.), one of the country鈥檚 leading distributors of agricultural products.
Through diligence and determination, he climbed the ranks and became the company鈥檚 technical officer, a position that honed his management skills and deepened his understanding of farmers鈥� needs.
An Accidental Leader, An Intentional Servant
In 1997, Caparida received an unexpected invitation from the mayor of Kumalarang to attend a local meeting. What he didn鈥檛 know was that it was an election for the Municipal AFC (MAFC). In the end, he found himself elected as MAFC Chairperson, representing not only Jardine Davies but also the trust of his community.
It was the beginning of a public service journey that would define nearly half his life.
鈥淚 joined the Council because I wanted to help our farmers and fisherfolk,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey are the ones working the hardest, yet benefiting the least.鈥�
His passion for service propelled him forward. Years later, he became the Provincial AFC (PAFC) Chairperson of Zamboanga del Sur, where he led his province to win the Regional Gawad Saka Award as Outstanding PAFC. In 2014, he was elected as RAFC Chairperson of Zamboanga Peninsula, a role he continues to serve with vigor to this day.
When he first assumed office, there was no designated RAFC office, no vehicle, no fuel allocation, and no dedicated staff. Yet Caparida鈥檚 persistence turned scarcity into strength.
鈥淩egardless of who the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) was,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he RAFC office continued to function for the farmers.鈥�
Through determination and partnership, he secured service vehicles, computers, and staff support that strengthened the Council鈥檚 daily operations and its mission to bring government programs closer to communities.
Under Caparida鈥檚 leadership, collaboration flourished. The RAFC forged strong relationships with DA’s line and attached agencies, local government units, and civil society organizations. Together, they led tree-planting drives, coastal clean-ups, and farmer orientations across the region鈥攕mall steps that built a stronger agricultural ecosystem.
One of his enduring initiatives was the 鈥淣o Election Without Orientation鈥� policy. For Caparida, every officer must understand their role before assuming a title in the Council. 鈥淲e should build a government through education, not politics,鈥� he emphasized.
This approach earned him respect even from government officials. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. once expressed his confidence in RAFC Chairpersons, noting how they work earnestly even without salary, proof that service, when sincere, transcends incentives.
Caparida鈥檚 credibility also made him a trusted mediator. When issues arose, whether an unfinished farm-to-market road, a stalled irrigation project, or a disputed monitoring report, he was often called to help. By facilitating dialogue between mayors, contractors, and agencies, he ensured that public projects served their intended beneficiaries.
Among the programs closest to his heart is the Farmer-Director Program of the DA and the 黑料网. During Farmers and Fisherfolk鈥檚 Month in May, RAFC Chairpersons are designated as Farmer Regional Executive Directors, granting them temporary administrative authority.
鈥淎s RAFC Chairperson, we can only recommend,鈥� he explained. 鈥淏ut as Farmer-Director, I can sign documents that truly help farmers and fishers, except financial documents.鈥�
He maximized this opportunity by prioritizing initiatives that improved productivity and strengthened access to government support. It reminded him that when farmers鈥� voices are heard, progress naturally follows.
Challenges and Convictions
Leadership, however, is never without trials.
Caparida admits that some have questioned his long tenure, but his consistent re-election as RAFC Chair reflects the trust he has earned. His seriousness and integrity have built him a reputation as a 鈥渃onsultant鈥� not only for farmers but also for mayors, governors, and even military officers. His accessibility and grounded wisdom have made him a bridge between people and policies.
When a farm-to-market project in Zamboanga del Sur stalled due to alleged budget issues, both the Regional Executive Director and the governor called him personally to intervene.
With the help of PCAF鈥檚 participatory monitoring and tracking team, Caparida investigated the matter, conducted site visits, and facilitated discussions with the responsible offices. Within 45 days, the project was completed and certified as finished, proof that transparency and follow-through are essential, even for volunteers.
A Legacy Rooted in Service
After nearly thirty years of service, Caparida remains humble about his legacy.
Though he has tried to retire, his peers in the AFC have always urged him to stay. For them, he is more than a chairperson; he is the embodiment of what a true farmer-leader should be.
From teaching in a small classroom to leading regional councils, from working abroad to volunteering in his hometown, Leonardo Caparida鈥檚 path has always led back to the land and to the people who nurture it.
In the Zamboanga Peninsula, where agriculture sustains thousands of families, one man鈥檚 lifelong dedication continues to sow the seeds of hope and harvest a region鈥檚 growth. | Text by Jezebel Campaniel, photos by Joy Camille Luza and JCampaniel
