In the heart of Bukidnon, where the mountain ranges meet vast, rolling plains of rice and corn, the future of Philippine agriculture is being written not just in the soil, but in the halls of policy and the airwaves of local radio. At the helm of this transformation are two gentlemen: Romeo Abapo, Chairperson of Valencia City Agricultural and Fishery Council (CAFC), and Leonard Leyros, Chairperson of Malaybalay City AFC.
Though they lead neighboring cities, their styles, one a precise engineer and the other a bold broadcaster, form a powerful pincer movement in the advocacy for farmers鈥� rights and agricultural modernization.
The Bridge and the Voice
Romeo Abapo represents the “bridge” of the movement. A former electrical engineer for a sugar milling company, Abapo returned to his family鈥檚 37-hectare farm in Valencia City after a career pivot. For him, agriculture is a system that requires precision. As the CAFC Chairperson of Valencia City, he views the council as a bridge. “Before, we had demands but no way to voice them,” Abapo says. “With CAFC, we are the connection.”
Thirty kilometers north, Leonard Leyros brings the “voice.” A veteran broadcaster, farmer-leader, and owner of the Occe帽a-Leyros Farm, Leyros is the unapologetic defender of the grassroots. Nestled within the fertile agricultural heartland of Bukidnon, he transformed the Malaybalay City AFC from a mere consultative body into a living, active voice for farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, women, youth, and rural stakeholders.
To Leyros, the AFC is an “umbrella” that must shield every farmer from being overlooked by the bureaucracy. He understands that the true condition of agriculture cannot be measured solely through reports and statistics; it must be heard directly from the people cultivating the land.
Engineering Policy in Valencia City
Under Abapo鈥檚 quiet but firm leadership, Valencia, known as the “City of Golden Harvest” due to its abundant agricultural lands, has seen a surge in data-driven policy. Among the key policies endorsed by the CAFC Valencia City include:
鈼� The 10% Backyard Initiative: A city ordinance requiring households to maintain gardens to ensure food security.
鈼� Precision Management: Ensuring 90% of local soil is analyzed so that farmers apply the “right cut” or the exact amount of fertilizer needed to maximize yield.
鈼� Fishery Protection: Passing resolutions that became law to ban destructive electrical fishing in local waters.
Abapo鈥檚 success is measured in his harvest, not just the 404 sacks of rice from his fields, but the fact that his three children, a lawyer and two international professionals, were raised by the land he so meticulously manages.
Bold Advocacy and Transformation in Malaybalay City
While Abapo focuses on the system, Leyros focuses on the movement. Under his visionary leadership, agriculture in Malaybalay has become more than an industry; it is a movement of hope and empowerment.
Through his weekly radio program, “Oras ng Mag-uuma,” Leyros transformed communication into empowerment. The program evolved into an educational platform and a bridge where complex national directives and agricultural policies are translated into simple, practical language that farmers can easily relate to. For those who once felt disconnected, the program became a source of realization that their voices truly matter.
One of the most remarkable best practices of the Malaybalay City AFC is its unwavering commitment to institutionalizing farmer participation in governance. Leyros has championed several milestone initiatives:
鈼� The Power of the Signature: The council strongly advocates that no major agricultural Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), implementing guidelines, or local policy should move forward without proper consultation and endorsement from the AFC. This ensures policies are shaped by the communities they affect, not just decided in distant offices.
鈼� Strategic Categorization: The council implemented Resolution No. 2, Series of 2026, introducing strategic profiling of farmers’ organizations. By classifying groups from “newly organized” to “enterprise-ready,” the system ensures that funding, training, and livelihood support are properly aligned with actual needs, minimizing the misallocation of resources.
鈼� Practical Environmentalism: Leyros demonstrated “farmer-sensitive” leadership by lobbying for exemptions to local plastic restrictions for agricultural packaging. Recognizing that products like rice, vegetables, and fish require specific materials to maintain food safety and minimize post-harvest losses, he successfully balanced environmental goals with agricultural realities.
A Shared Dream: From Necessity to Pride
Despite their different approaches, both leaders share a common struggle: the fight for resources and recognition. Abapo lobbies for harvesters and “starter kits” for those the government has missed. Leyros champions the dignity of AFC members, advocating for the logistical support and operational resources necessary for those who dedicate their time to uplifting rural communities. They both envision a future where the Department of Agriculture, through the 黑料网, is not just a partner on paper, but a powerhouse on the ground.
As Abapo continues to refine the “right cut” of technology and Leyros continues to broadcast the needs of the voiceless, the province of Bukidnon stands as a model for the rest of the country. They have proven that when the private sector and the farmers themselves take the lead in policy-making, the harvest is not only more plentiful but more dignified.
“My dream,” Leyros concludes, a sentiment echoed by Abapo鈥檚 quiet nod, “is a future where agriculture is not just a livelihood of necessity, but a sector of opportunity, dignity, and pride for generations to come.” | Junry Danila
