“When we strengthen our Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), we build an agri-fishery sector that truly answers to its people.”

Anchoring in the principle of participatory governance, ������ OIC Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban set the tone for regional accountability during the FY 2026 Visayas Participatory Performance Review and Planning Workshop on October 6 to 8, 2026.

The activity brought together over 60 AFC leaders, regional and provincial coordinators, finance officers, and provincial agriculturists from across the Visayas island cluster. The planning workshop aimed to align regional operations, evaluate physical and financial performance, enforce financial structures, and elevate field accountability across all four regions of the Visayas.

The performance review and workshop also highlighted the participation of the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR), which joined Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

The regional clusters presented their notable accomplishments alongside the corresponding budget utilization of their committed FY 2026 programs, activities, and projects (PAPs). The accomplishments were presented by Regional AFC (RAFC) Chairpersons Stephen Santillan (NIR), Engr. Buen Mondejar (Western Visayas), Grace Cenas (Central Visayas), and Jorge Alvero, Jr. (Eastern Visayas), who shared localized milestones, fund utilization trajectories, and inspiring impact stories.

Turning challenges into actionable regional strategies

Aside from assessing past accomplishments, private sector-partners discussed operational bottlenecks, governance gaps, and potential hurdles impacting grassroots PAP delivery. These insights directly shaped mitigation strategies and priority interventions intended to operationalize the upcoming FY 2027 Plan and Budget Proposal in harmony with the FY 2026–2031 PCAF Strategic Plan.

The workshop generated policy resolutions tailored to regional growth:

• Youth in agriculture: The AFCs are urged to pass resolutions empowering youth participation, while Department of Agriculture (DA) agencies are pushed to expand scholarship grants, educational assistance, and access to productive agricultural lands.
• Personnel support: PCAF committed to consulting the DA Legal Service, Department of Budget and Management, and Commission on Audit to design proper remuneration, capacity development, and incentives for Agricultural Extension Workers.
• Budget enhancements: To ensure equitable distribution, PCAF will review Provincial AFC (PAFC) classifications while advocating for a proposed PhP3 million regional budget inclusive of Local Chief Executive dialogues.
• Philippine Rural Development Project integration: The group agreed to endorse the inclusion of PAFC chairpersons in shaping Investment Plans and participating in Regional Project Advisory Boards to boost transparency.
• Strict fund liquidation: RAFCs were reminded to collaborate with regional accountants to clear unliquidated balances and submit early requests for FY 2026 fund utilization extensions.

Tracking progress through participatory monitoring

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Meanwhile, PCAF presented findings from the Visayas Participatory Monitoring and Tracking (PMT), which evaluated 340 DA-funded projects to enhance regional governance.

Out of these projects, 44 were found to be fully functional or had minor issues, while 20 remained underutilized or unutilized and 22 were for utilization.

The PMT team also highlighted several concerns, including some unprovided Memorandum of Agreement documents, livestock biosecurity gaps, mechanical failures, and equipment unsuited to local terrain—such as walking tractors that proved unworkable in parts of Bohol.

To resolve these issues, DA Regional Field Offices, through their Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions, have 45 days to address concerns subject to PCAF revalidation. Additionally, they are tasked with coordinating with suppliers like the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization for equipment repairs and strictly enforcing pre-turnover site assessments.

The consolidated outputs and strategic roadmaps generated from the Cebu workshop and PMT findings will be distributed to the regional concerned offices for possible implementation. | Jezebel Campaniel

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������ Executive Director Bernadette “BidiBidi” De Los Santos emphasized the critical role of grassroots volunteerism and modern bayanihan in advancing the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector during her recent interview on the radio program Bayanihan On-Air on October 05, 2026.

Highlighting PCAF’s core mandate to promote broad-based participatory development, the agency Chief stressed the significance of strengthening public-private partnerships to drive grassroots-informed agricultural reforms.

During the program, Exec. Dir. De Los Santos outlined the three primary pillars guiding agency operations:

• Policy advisory and advocacy: Acting as the main advisory body to the Department of Agriculture (DA) by formulating policies and programs rooted directly in the recommendations of farmers, fisherfolk, and value chain players.
• Stakeholder engagement and participatory governance: Managing the nationwide network of Agricultural and Fishery Councils across regional, provincial, and municipal levels, and the National Sectoral Committees, ensuring grassroots and  macro-level private sector participation in policy-making. 
• Participatory monitoring and tracking: Conducting independent monitoring of DA-funded projects, such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation facilities, and post-harvest equipment, to ensure proper implementation and resource utilization.

The evolution of bayanihan in agriculture

Addressing the modern application of traditional values, the PCAF Chief explained that bayanihan has transformed far beyond physical communal labor. Today, it takes shape through agri-clustering and consolidation, which bolster the bargaining power of small producers, reduce production and post-harvest costs, and ease access to government and banking support.

She also underscored the integration of youth participation and digital technology, noting how young agripreneurs and modern tools are bridging generational gaps to connect farmers directly to markets.

Grounding these concepts in frontline reality, Exec. Dir. De Los Santos recalled how local Council networks played a pivotal role during the African Swine Fever outbreak in Camarines Sur. In the absence of a provincial agriculturist and veterinarian at the time, local Councils successfully mobilized municipal veterinarians to implement crucial biosecurity measures and safeguard the local swine industry.

Reiterating her personal and professional commitment, BidiBidi shared her ultimate vision for the sector: to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk so they are no longer just beneficiaries, but empowered co-implementers of agricultural progress.

“Sana po darating ang panahon… makakakita tayo ng mga magsasaka na hindi lang nakakapagpa-aral ng kanilang mga anak sa kolehiyo, kundi pati rin ang kanilang kabuhayan ay secure at naangat ang empowerment,” Exec. Dir. De Los Santos said, reinforcing that a prosperous agricultural sector remains the true backbone of national food security and economic stability.

Bayanihan On-Air is a collaborative radio program of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, broadcast on Radyo Agri 90.1 FM and Facebook. 

The show promotes volunteerism in agriculture and fisheries by sharing inspiring community stories, highlighting modern postharvest technologies, and showcasing national volunteer awards to inspire civic action across the country. | Jezebel Campaniel (Photos courtesy of PNVSCA Facebook and Exec. Dir. Bernadette De Los Santos)

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In Davao Oriental, Marybeth Irigo and Chorna Cabañog have spent years building lives around agriculture—though in ways that extend far beyond their own farms.

Irigo, who has served as the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) Chairperson of Davao Oriental for eight years, has moved between agricultural production, market-building, and shrimp farming. Cabañog, the Municipal AFC Chairperson of Cateel, has built her work around organic agriculture, growing black rice while using her farm to share knowledge and engage her community.

Their stories came into focus during the ������’ Lakbay Panayam in Davao Region on August 3–7, 2026, where both women shared the experiences that have shaped their work in the sector. As October brings the International Day of Rural Women, their stories become a timely reminder of the women working steadily at the heart of communities.  

One works at the provincial level, bringing the concerns of farmers and fisherfolk to the LGU and relevant national agencies. The other works closer to the ground, tending a farm, sharing knowledge on organic agriculture, and creating opportunities within her community. Together, their experiences offer a glimpse into the many ways women in Davao Oriental are making agriculture part of both their livelihood and their service.

Marybeth Irigo: From farm work to the policy table

Long before Marybeth Irigo found herself helping shape conversations around agriculture in Davao Oriental, her grandmother had already planted the idea in her mind.

After earning degrees in Commerce, major in Accounting, and Education from Davao Oriental State University, Marybeth began working at a bank. At the same time, her grandmother entrusted her with managing their family’s agricultural properties, giving her a life that ran on two tracks—banking by profession, agriculture by responsibility.

The family properties were as varied as the crops they cultivated, including cacao, coffee, coconut, lanzones, rambutan, and mangosteen. Alongside these responsibilities, Marybeth also became involved in the Agricultural and Fishery Councils, beginning as the Municipal AFC Chairperson of Mati in 1988. She would later serve as the Provincial AFC Chairperson of Davao Oriental, a position she has held for eight years.

Looking back on what it takes to serve in the sector, Marybeth believes commitment has to go beyond willingness alone.

“Bago ka pumasok dapat ready ka, di lang financially, dapat pati puso. Be prepared at ‘pag andyan ang love mo, mas madali at kaya ang lahat. [Before you get into volunteerism, you have to be ready—not only financially, but also in your heart. When you have love for what you do, everything becomes easier and more manageable.]”

That commitment has followed her through the different chapters of her agricultural life.

After 22 years in LandBank, Marybeth retired and took on a new venture. What had once been a bangus or milkfish pond became her shrimp farm. Today, it produces three croppings a year, with around 12 tons of shrimp per cropping.

But the shrimp farm was only one part of the family’s agricultural properties. With much of the remaining land not being used to its full potential, Marybeth worked with cooperatives in the area and made portions of it available for other agricultural ventures, including a 12-hectare cardava plantation and a swine project.

As she became more involved in agriculture, Marybeth also began seeing challenges beyond production—particularly the difficulty farmers faced in finding a market for what they had grown.

In Mati, farmers traditionally had only a short window to sell their produce at the local “Lapagan,” bringing their goods early in the morning and selling them until 7 a.m. Seeing the gap, Marybeth became a “Lapagan” herself, providing a ready market for farmers who needed somewhere to sell their produce.

These experiences gave Marybeth a perspective that extended beyond her own agricultural enterprises. The concerns she encountered on the ground also found their way into her work in the AFC.

During the 2020 pandemic, Marybeth recommended in a virtual meeting that food aid be halal-certified, a proposal that was later adopted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. During the oil price hike, she also helped push for documentation of gasoline stations that were not following the suggested retail price so they could be reported to the Energy Regulatory Commission, recognizing the impact of fuel costs on agricultural and fishing operations. Other initiatives addressed concerns related to African swine fever and rice prices.

For Marybeth, this is where service takes on a value beyond the work itself.

“Andoon yung satisfaction na nakaka-serve ka kasi yun ay ‘di nabibili ng pera. May legacy ka [There is fulfillment in being able to serve because it is something money cannot buy. In doing so, you leave a legacy.],” she said.

Her years in the AFC have also given Marybeth a view of women’s growing presence in agricultural leadership. She noted with pride that four of Davao Oriental’s 11 municipalities have women serving as MAFC chairpersons, with these councils among the most active in the province.

For Marybeth, strengthening that kind of participation also means creating structures that allow local agricultural and fisheries leaders to have a stronger voice. Among the policy proposals being explored are the institutionalization of Agrikulturang Makamasa Barangay Extension Technician (AMBET), AFC, and Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (BFARMC) with honoraria, as well as a proposal for PAFC chairpersons to take on the role of Provincial Farmer Director.

From running farms to creating markets and bringing farmers’ concerns to the AFC, Marybeth’s journey has grown beyond building an agricultural enterprise. It has become a way of making room for others to participate, lead, and be heard.

Chorna Cabañog: Where knowledge takes root

At 66, Chorna Cabañog tends 2.5 hectares of land, with 1.5 hectares devoted to organic black rice. The rest is shared by a coconut farm and a piggery. A graduate of agriculture from DOrSU, she began farming in 1997.

Through the years, her training and experience in agriculture opened paths into different forms of community work. From 1997 to 2000, Chorna served as a barangay secretary and became the first AMBET in Davao Oriental. After her contract ended, she shifted to teaching agriculture at DOrSU, where she spent the next decade.

Around 2010, Chorna left teaching to care for her ill mother. It was during this period that she became involved with the Municipal AFC. She eventually took on its leadership, despite having little knowledge of the AFC when she first stepped into the role.

In 2011, Chorna began practicing organic agriculture. What started as a farming practice grew into an advocacy. She produces her own organic fertilizer and pesticide, and over time, the farm itself became a place where others could learn. In 2018, it was certified by the Agricultural Training Institute as a learning site in agriculture, followed by Good Agricultural Practices certification for organic agriculture in 2022.

It is fitting, then, that when Chorna speaks about the role of the AFC, she goes first to knowledge.

For her, one of its most important functions is teaching technology and sharing knowledge and skills in farming. That belief in sharing what she knows has followed her beyond the farm and into the wider community.

After Typhoon Pablo devastated communities in 2012, Chorna initiated outreach activities for farmers and drafted a proposal for a cash-for-work project with the International Labour Organization. The project supported work by members of the irrigators’ association, including canal clearing, and helped fund the construction of a building for organic agriculture. She also drafted a proposal for a warehouse and solar dryer and provided about half a hectare of her own land for the facilities.

Her idea of sharing opportunities has continued to widen. Livelihood trainings that began with AFC women later expanded to include members of the LGBTQIA+ community, while young people are invited to the farm for composting demonstrations.

For Chorna, the payoff is not simply a productive farm. It is seeing other people begin to embrace organic agriculture—and seeing their lives improve because of it.

That is why, when asked what she would tell those considering volunteer work in the sector, she points to the youth. Start with them, she says. Train them. Get them to attend meetings so they understand what needs to be done.

Her own dream reaches beyond the farm as well.

“Pangarap ko na lahat ay gumanda ang buhay at mabawasan ang global warming dahil sa organic farming [My dream is for everyone to have a better life and for global warming to be reduced through organic farming],” said Chorna.

Beyond the harvest

Marybeth and Chorna work in different corners of Davao Oriental, but neither has kept agriculture confined to the boundaries of a farm.

Their stories also reveal another dimension of service: the ability to see what is needed and find a way to respond.

Sometimes that means becoming a market for farmers who need somewhere to sell their produce. Sometimes it means opening a piece of land for an agricultural project, teaching someone how to make compost, or helping another farmer discover a different way of cultivating the soil.

And sometimes, it simply means showing up.

For Marybeth and Chorna, agriculture has become more than what they produce. It is what they are able to pass on—knowledge, opportunities, and a sense of possibility for the communities they serve. | Text by Joy Camille Luza, Photos by Jez Campaniel and Junry Danila

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To bridge research findings with actionable policy recommendations, the ������ conducted an online Knowledge Unloading Day (KUD) on October 2, 2026, featuring the study Market Analysis of Local Milk and Dairy Products in the Philippines.

KUD is PCAF’s knowledge-sharing initiative designed to cultivate a continuous learning culture among its employees, government partners, and Consultative Bodies. By sharing research assessments, policy reviews, and field insights, KUD aims to integrate localized data into national agri-fishery strategies.

Funded by PCAF, the featured study was conducted by the University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) in partnership with the National Dairy Authority (NDA).

Opening the session, PCAF OIC Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban emphasized that understanding value chain interactions is vital to resolving the sector’s long-standing challenges and bridging practical field experience with academic research.

During the presentation, Dr. Ian Jester De Vera of UP ISSI highlighted a critical strategic shift for the sector. While local milk accounts for only 1.3% of total national dairy requirements—a market overwhelmingly dominated by imports—local dairy farms already supply 12% of the addressable fresh and ready-to-drink (RTD) segment.

The study revealed that rather than competing head-on with commercial imported milk powder, local producers can maximize their advantage by targeting the fresh RTD category through focused, origin-based branding strategies. 

On the operational side, Dr. De Vera noted that field data collected across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao exposed significant supply chain bottlenecks, including high feed costs, a shortage of regional veterinarians, and inadequate cold storage and testing infrastructure.

Additionally, while the government’s school milk feeding program serves as the primary market anchor for local processors, procurement and delivery delays create severe financial vulnerability. The study noted that extending feeding schedules to a full 200-day school year and authorizing local milk sales in school canteens would provide the predictable, year-round demand local producers need to break even and scale.

To gain broader perspective and comparative insights, the study team conducted international benchmarking visits to Thailand and Vietnam in early 2024. 

These visits demonstrated how neighboring countries have developed robust local dairy industries despite similar challenges:

• Thailand: Demonstrated the power of predictable market demand through formal purchasing agreements between government bodies and dairy cooperatives. The country is also notable in institutional branding, leveraging public and university-backed brands, such as Thai-Denmark and Chulalongkorn University’s Chula Saraburi brand, to build consumer trust and establish premium quality associations.
• Vietnam: Showcased high productivity and industrial scale. Leading enterprises like Nutifood achieve yields averaging 38 liters per cow daily through modern technology, strict herd management, and a unified industry voice represented by the Vietnam Dairy Association, allowing local milk brands to dominate domestic supermarket shelves over imports.

Key Recommendations of the Study

For farms and processors

• Focus on the fresh market: Target the fresh and RTD milk segment rather than competing head-on with imported milk powder.
• Adopt strategic branding: Promote local dairy products centered on the core attributes of Fresh, Healthy, and Filipino.
• Improve herd and climate management: Breed cattle suited to tropical climates, utilize artificial insemination, and invest in cooling systems to mitigate heat stress and boost milk yields.
• Strengthen distribution networks: Establish cold storage facilities at regional hubs and set up rural milk collection points so smallholders can deliver daily output reliably.
• Invest in research and data: Conduct targeted research on tropical-adapted breeds, animal healthcare, and evolving consumer preferences.

For implementing agencies

• Keep milk feeding schedules predictable: Ensure early alignment on dates and volumes among the NDA, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and local government units (LGUs), while identifying contingency buyers when procurement delays occur.
• Expand market access: Connect local producers with nearby retail stores, school canteens, universities, and commercial outlets. Support collection centers through LGUs, cooperatives, or public-private partnerships.
• Support processing technologies: Assist local processors in adopting shelf-life extension technologies (such as Ultra-High Temperature processing, sterilization, and pasteurization) to access broader commercial markets.
• Streamline business operations: Reduce administrative paperwork, digitize government program applications, and sponsor trade fairs and market linkage events.
• Provide whole-of-business training: Expand capacity building for farmers and processors beyond basic production to include marketing, financial management, and overall business operations.

For policy-makers and legislators

• Guarantee year-round demand: Extend the government school milk feeding program from 20 to 120 days to a full school year exceeding 200 days, and permit local dairy products to be sold in school canteens.
• Promote local milk nutrition: Launch national campaigns raising public awareness about the health benefits of fresh, locally produced milk.
• Invest in education and human capital: Create scholarships and specialized university degree programs in dairying (expanding on state university offerings like UP Los Baños) to build the next generation of dairy professionals.
• Support input infrastructure: Enact policies and secure funding for regional feed and silage hubs to provide farmers with consistent, high-quality, and affordable cattle feed.

“We are encouraging the Agricultural and Fishery Councils and National Sectoral Committees to table the study’s results in their respective meetings and consultations to validate the gaps and challenges. This will also help us generate sound policy recommendations for endorsement to relevant agencies,” said Planning, Monitoring, and Knowledge Management Division OIC Assistant Division Chief Joane Carla Auditor. | Jezebel Campaniel

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For over three decades, Epifanio “Boy” Loyola Jr. has been a cornerstone of agricultural advocacy in the Davao Region. From his early beginnings in 1986 as Chairperson of the Barangay Agricultural and Fishery Council (BAFC) in Cagangohan, Panabo City, Davao del Norte to his current role leading the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) as Chairperson since 2020, his journey demonstrates the power of grassroots leadership and agricultural innovation.

An Unlikely Calling: From Marine Transportation to Master Beekeeper

Loyola came to beekeeping from an unlikely background. Trained in marine transportation and formerly a rural bank manager, he had no formal background in apiculture when he first ventured into farming. 

At the time, his interest was simply in raising livestock and growing crops. That changed in 1980, when a Peace Corps volunteer introduced him to beekeeping. “I was really curious. I couldn’t sleep. Can I really do that? People would ask me, did I ever think that it would become a business? Before, it was a really straight “no” answer.”  Loyola recalled during the sit-down interview.

Fascinated by the science behind bees and their management, Loyola pursued specialized training in Israel, where he deepened his knowledge of beekeeping and the management of wild bees. His interest eventually grew into a lifelong commitment to the industry. In 1995, he co-founded Beenet Philippines (Beekeeping Network Philippines Pollination Incorporated), where he has served as president and trained generations of beekeepers from the Philippines and abroad. 

Championing the “Pollination Revolution”

While many view bees solely for their honey, Loyola’s central mission as RAFC Chairperson has been pushing apiculture as an essential input for crop yield expansion. He tirelessly advocates that pollination should be formally recognized alongside seeds and fertilizers as a core component of agricultural productivity.

He emphasized that “if we’re talking about increased production, pollination should be included. Until now, it hasn’t been. It should be part of the resources or raw materials that are needed.” Loyola took pride that during planning workshops and performance review related activities in the region and national levels, he always brought forward to prioritized pollination activities in all production programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

He then explained the pollination impact to the production yield increase of certain agricultural commodities, as shown in the table below: 

“Farmers would always tell me, ‘Sir, thank you for introducing the bees to us.’ In the past, the coffee fruits were small, only 4 or 5 in size but now it’s full.” Loyola proudly shared after explaining the result of pollination to agricultural production. 

Through his leadership, Loyola successfully lobbied the DA Regional Field Office XI National Livestock Program to allocate targeted budgets, scaling up to ₱15 million to distribute beekeeping equipment and colonies to accredited coffee and coconut farmer cooperatives.

Overcoming Challenges and Looking Forward

Despite his decades of achievements, Loyola remains candid about the institutional hurdles facing volunteer-driven agricultural councils.

First, logistical and financial constraints. High fuel costs and limited institutional budgets frequently challenge AFC officers when traveling across remote municipalities to offer free training activities and consultations.

Then, institutionalization and LGU engagement. Loyola continues to push for stronger local executive support, urging municipalities to formally allocate logistical support and meeting funds for local AFCs.

Lastly, policy and formal documentation. He actively works toward converting informal partnerships and initiatives into official policy resolutions, ensuring long-term institutional support from the national government.

“What’s important is what the farmers need. That’s the job of the AFC,” served as the closing statement of Loyola during the interview. At 71, Loyola’s vision for Philippine agriculture remains clear. To integrate beekeeping across all high-value crop programs, build strong civic-government bridges, and ensure that local farmers have the knowledge and tools needed to thrive. | Text by Junry Danila. Photos by Jezebel Campaniel and Joy Camille Luza

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At four in the morning, while much of the neighborhood is still asleep, Genovivo “Bong” Cajes is already on his feet.

His day begins at the bakery before he heads to the farm to check on his dairy cows. Later, he moves between the farm, store, bakery, and restaurant—checking supplies, tending to livestock, managing the business, and making sure everything is ready before the day ends late at night.

At 56, Bong’s routine is not simply about running a farm or a business. It is a way of life built around agriculture, enterprise, family, and service.

Cajes grew up in a family of farmers. His father taught him and his six siblings to plant trees corresponding to their age, an early lesson that eventually became part of the foundation of what would grow into Macatabo Farm. He would later become a nurse, work in a hospital and as a private duty nurse, and eventually pursue a career as a district manager for a medical company covering Visayas and Mindanao.

He once planned to work abroad. But when faced with the choice between pursuing that dream and staying with his wife and two children, he chose his family.

That decision kept him close to home—and eventually brought him back to agriculture.

In 2000, Cajes opened a bakery while working as a medical representative. The bakery eventually expanded into a mini-grocery store. In 2008, he took early retirement from his corporate job, which required extensive travel. Seven years later, he formally began his farming journey, starting with Lakatan bananas before expanding into vegetables and livestock.

But Cajes did not approach farming simply as a matter of producing whatever the farm could grow.

“I create market, di ako dumedepende sa kung ano lang ang mayroon [I create my own market; I don’t simply depend on what is available],” he said.

When bananas were difficult to sell, he turned them into banana loaves for his bakery. What began as a way to address a problem eventually became a product of its own: the “I Loaf You” banana loaves. Today, he produces bananas specifically for this value-added product after recognizing that processing them into loaves can generate more value than selling the fresh fruit alone. He also supplies 3 to 5 tons of Lakatan bananas to Laguna.

From farmer to community bridge

Cajes has been involved in the Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) since 2010, initially as a member of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Sectoral Committee. He became more active in 2020, when current RAFC Coordinator Roy Pascua took charge.

He also served as chairperson of the Vegetables Industry Council of Southern Mindanao (VICSMin) in 2016–2017 and was re-elected in 2024, during which he worked to have the organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several VICSMin members also became individual members of the AFC, linking his work in the vegetable industry with his involvement in the council.

For Cajes, the AFCs have an important role in organizing farmers and fisherfolk and contributing to policymaking.

Through VICSMin, for instance, he serves as a bridge between producers and consumers. The association buys farmers’ produce, giving them an immediate market.

Its work has also included initiatives that address broader agricultural concerns. One example is Gulayan sa Barangay. Cajes said the concept started with VICSMin, an account supported by an ACIAR report that identifies the organization as having piloted the implementation of the project in 2004. The project was then turned over to Davao City in 2005 and carried out by the Davao City Agriculturist’s Office.

VICSMin’s involvement in Gulayan sa Barangay was also documented in the organization’s Operations Guidelines published in 2006. The initiative would later form part of broader government efforts to promote community vegetable gardening, including programs involving the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

VICSMin also proposed repacking seeds into smaller pouches instead of cans, an approach Cajes said was later adopted by the East-West Seed Foundation.

For Cajes, these experiences demonstrate how farmers’ organizations can bring forward practical ideas that respond to the needs of their communities.

He continues to look for ways to widen farmers’ access to resources. Among the initiatives he hopes to pursue through a policy resolution is a proposal for an arrangement with a brewery factory that would allow interested farmers to purchase its pressed malt by-product, expanding access beyond the current arrangement with selected recipients.

He is likewise promoting responsible waste management, particularly the proper disposal of chemical and fertilizer bottles.

These initiatives may seem separate from his role as an AFC volunteer, but for Cajes, they are connected by the same purpose: helping farmers become more capable, organized, and able to find solutions within their communities.

Building a farm that teaches

Macatabo Farm has also become an extension of that philosophy.

In 2020, the farm became an Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-accredited Learning Site for Agriculture. By 2024, it had been upgraded to LSA II with the addition of lodging and classrooms. Cajes also underwent TESDA training in Artificial Insemination for Large Ruminants in 2018. In 2021, he secured a ₱2-million ACPC loan for chicken layering, and in 2022, he opened a farm-to-table restaurant within Macatabo Farms.

The 13-hectare property now encompasses areas for livestock, accommodation, the restaurant, and the farm, while five hectares have been given to farm tenants.

His initiatives also extend to the welfare of the people working on the farm. After participating in the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tripartite System Orientation, where he learned about shared labor governance, wage orders, productivity frameworks, and dispute prevention, Cajes initiated the registration and coverage of Macatabo Farm workers with the Social Security System. He also initiated the construction of homes for workers within the farm.

Macatabo Farm was also recognized as the Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden in the Macrogarden category during the 50th Gawad Saka in 2025.

Volunteerism as a way of life

Despite everything he manages, Cajes describes his AFC experience as “50/50”—50 percent happy and 50 percent difficult.

The difficulty comes partly from balancing volunteer responsibilities with his own farm and businesses, as well as maintaining the active participation of fellow AFC members. But what keeps him going is the people he encounters, particularly older volunteers whom he sees continuing to serve despite their age.

His view of volunteerism is deeply personal.

“It is an honor to serve people and also the Grace of God is to those who have the heart for volunteerism. Hindi ako nawalan simula nung nagvolunteer ako,” Cajes said.

For him, service is not separate from farming. It is part of the same work of creating opportunities—whether by finding a market for produce, adding value to farm products, connecting farmers with consumers, promoting better practices, or bringing farmers’ concerns into spaces for consultation and policymaking.

And while he hopes to contribute as an AFC volunteer, his ambition reaches beyond his own role.

“I just want to be a model farmer and influencer, helping farmers to be leaders in their communities,” he said.

Ultimately, Cajes’ vision is not only about making his own farm thrive. He hopes for farmers to have better lives for their families, access to education and food security, and for more young people to engage in agriculture.

From a farmer’s son to a nurse, entrepreneur, farmer, livestock raiser, restaurant owner, organization leader, and AFC volunteer, Cajes’ story is shaped by a recurring instinct: when faced with a problem, look for an opportunity to create something useful.

For him, that opportunity does not stop at the farm gate. It extends to the farmers he works with, the communities he serves, and the next generation he hopes will choose to stay in agriculture. | Text Joy Camille Luza, Photos by Jezebel Campaniel and Junry Danila

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Long before Emmanuel “Nhel” Belviz represented the country’s durian export negotiations, his playground was a cacao patch in Davao, where he strolled alongside his father, Severino, learning how to prune trees while barely tall enough to see past the trunk. 

On the other side of the country in Dolores, Quezon, Mary Grace “Eyeth” Belviz grew up amid the scattered coconut and lanzones groves of Luzon, raised by parents who cautioned her to study hard so she wouldn’t end up “just a farmer”.  

​Destiny, however, had other plans. Bound by a shared collegiate oath at the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños, under the UP Horticultural Society’s motto, “Horticulture for the people”, Nhel and Eyeth crossed paths, fell in love, and forged a lifelong partnership rooted in the soil.  

​Today, that partnership has scaled beyond their own land to the highest policy halls of Philippine agriculture. Nhel serves as a representative for the durian industry at the ������’ (PCAF) National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Fruits and Vegetables and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Sectoral Committee Chairperson on Durian, while Eyeth represents the post-harvest sector as the RAFC Sectoral Chairperson on Food Processing.  

Among the stories featured in Lakbay Panayam, few are as distinctive as that of a husband-and-wife tandem working side by side in policy, business, and volunteer sectoral leadership across interconnected areas of agriculture. Their story highlights the unique balance they have forged between marriage, business, and service to the sector.

​”�ڱ��ٴDZ� siguro ‘yung strategy namin as a married couple, na-strengthen yung relationship namin kasi lagi kaming magkasama… Pareho kami ng wavelength. Yung mga problema at isyu napag-uusap namin, minsan mula paggising hanggang pagtulog. It’s either durian, kakaw, ‘yung industry ang aming napag-uusapan,” Eyeth reflected.

​Taking on sectoral seats in the PCAF’s consultative bodies is purely voluntary work. It pays no salary, demands endless hours of Committee and Council meetings, and takes them away from managing their 30-hectare farming operations and processing ventures. 

Eyeth candidly recalls organizing a durian harvesting module. “For six months ako nag-asikaso. Ubos [ang] oras talaga. Honestly, 70% on the industry, 30% na lang [ang] nabibigay namin sa aming [farm]”. Nhel jokingly compared their early civic efforts to picking up a boulder only to drop it on their own feet, “Wala man kaming kinita doon, wala man kaming nakukuha”.  

Still, both continue to show up to the table. For Nhel and Eyeth, bridging the gap between smallholder realities and national policy is an urgent calling.  

​As  an agriculturist and advocate for the durian industry, Nhel champions the standardization of Philippine durian to compete globally. Having witnessed the historic bilateral protocol signing for durian exports to China in Beijing, he continues to push the DA and its Bureau of Plant Industry, and standard-setting bodies for strict export quality monitoring and Philippine National Standards on Good Agricultural Practices. 

“Hindi consistent ‘yung quality natin. Wala tayong standard sa pag-produce, so iba’t-iba ang practice ng bawat durian farmer. [Dahil diyan] iba-iba rin ‘yung quality,” Nhel explains, stressing that overseas markets judge the entire nation by a single shipment.  

Through the NSC on Fruits and Vegetables, Nhel is able to raise local challenges directly to other concerned agencies. According to him, this allows them to address not only domestic concerns but also broader market dynamics across Southeast Asian countries, especially now that the Philippines is actively exporting durian. 

He adds that sharing these concerns ensures that everyone is aligned, enabling them to make necessary adjustments and take the right actions.

​Eyeth, meanwhile, brings the perspective of  food processors, who serve as  vital safety nets for growers during peak seasons. “Ang mga processor kasi, siya ‘yung magiging backup ng mga farmer,” she emphasizes. 

When massive oversupply triggers what the couple calls a “durian tsunami,” unpeeled produce rots within days unless the surplus is processed into value-added products. Eyeth uses her platform at the RAFC to lobby for micro-enterprises, demystifying Food and Drug Administration and License to Operate compliance and ensuring government tables prioritize local farm products. 

One of their notable council victories was passing a regional resolution replacing commercial sodas at official meetings with locally produced calamansi, roselle, and lemongrass juices made by smallholders.  

​Their dynamic is a study in complementary strengths. The couple’s different skills and personalities balance and complete each other. 

“Siya ‘yung practical. Siya ‘yung ma-kuwento. Siya ‘yung storyteller. Samantalang ako, more on technical,” Nhel admits. 

When farmers are intimidated by strict agrochemical formulations or bureau regulations, Eyeth steps in with social warmth. When deep agronomic and soil science issues need addressing, Nhel leads the charge.  

​Their ultimate vision for the Belviz legacy is not simply maintaining high-grade harvests, but building a sustainable, circular model, integrating nursery propagation, regenerative farm practices, waste-to-fertilizer cycling, food processing, and agri-tourism. 

Above all, they measure success by whether their policy battles help fellow farmers transition from simple survival into genuine prosperity.  

​”Hindi naman lahat alam ng mga farmers. [Minsan] tahimik lang sila,” Eyeth says of their behind-the-scenes advocacy work. “Pero ‘yung makita mo talaga na may nagbabago doon sa senaryo ng farming at ng market, ang sarap ng pakiramdam na nailabas mo ‘yung boses na gusto ng mga farmer. Kahit 20% lang ‘yan, okay lang. At least, alam namin na may nakikinig.”

As volunteers carrying the hopes of small stakeholders to regional council halls to international trade tables, their journey proves that love planted in fertile conviction yields a harvest that feeds not only a family, but an entire nation’s farming future. 

More than just crops, this enduring vision was sown by the late Severino Belviz, a living legacy that continues to shape the country’s agricultural development. | Jezebel Campaniel (Photos by Junry Danila, Joy Camille Luza, and J. Campaniel. Special thanks to RAFC Davao Region Facebook page for the RAFC meetings)

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In the high mountains of Mindanao, peace did not arrive through armed force or high-level political speeches. It arrived inside a humble bamboo shelter, steaming hot in a ceramic cup.

At the center of that table sat Felicitas “Joji” Pantoja.

Armed with a background in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Joji had spent 16 years as an investment advisor in Canada before returning to the Philippines with her husband in 2006. At the height of armed conflict between government forces and rebel groups, the couple bypassed the comfort of Manila and chose to settle in Mindanao with no local kin, driven by a simple mission: to understand the marginalized poor.

Listening to the plight of displaced Islamized peoples and indigenous tribes, Joji observed that four decades of gunfire had produced nothing but casualties. In 2008, she tested an alternative: What if we sit down and talk over hot coffee?

They built a small bamboo peace house where firearms were strictly forbidden. Military commanders, rebel leaders, civil society groups, and international observers gathered around a single wooden table. As Joji famously noted, “When we serve coffee, walang putukan. Kung walang putukan, walang mamamatay.”

From that initiative, Coffee for Peace was born.

Yet serving coffee was only the first step. To make peace sustainable, Joji recognized that communities needed economic dignity, environmental justice, and institutional representation.

Today, she carries that mission as the Vice Chairperson for Coffee on the National Sectoral Committee (NSC) under the ������ and as Sectoral Representative for Coffee at the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) in Davao Region.

From roadside tarps to world-class specialty beans

When Joji began engaging upland farmers, she encountered a jarring paradox. The Philippines grows all four major coffee types—Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica—and multinational buyers had operated in the country for over a century. Yet smallholders remained trapped in extreme poverty.

Growers dried mixed, unsorted cherries on highway asphalt alongside animal waste, selling low-grade beans for commodity pennies. Indigenous hosts even apologized when serving native nilagang kape, believing commercial 3-in-1 sachets were superior.

“I tasted their boiled coffee and said, ‘Why are you apologizing? This is exquisite. You just haven’t been taught how to process it right’,” Joji recalls.

For generations, the indigenous Blaan community has cultivated an heirloom Arabica known as Matutum Mysore across the upper slopes of the Mount Matutum Protected Landscape. Grown in the rich volcanic soils of South Cotabato and Sarangani, this shade-grown, single-origin coffee held immense potential that went largely unrecognized.

Drawing from Colombian practices, Joji introduced raised solar drying beds, selective harvesting, and standardized post-harvest processing to the community. 

The breakthrough came when the Blaan’s Mysore beans were cupped in Canada, and it scored well above the 80-point specialty threshold, sparking export orders of 50 tons per month. That initial triumph set off a ripple effect across Mindanao. 

From Blaan in Sarangani to the Talaandig and Higaonon of Bukidnon and the Bagobo-Tagabawa of Mount Apo, Joji demonstrated that indigenous communities hold the heritage and skill to produce world-class coffee. 

She anchored her enterprise on three pillars: economic elevation through value-adding, cultivating a culture of peace, and environmental stewardship through chemical-free farming and 25-year lease agreements that protect ancestral land rights.

Tearing down the “invisible fence” at NSC and RAFC

Success in the highlands brought Joji face-to-face with a systemic barrier she calls the “invisible fence.” While national programs encouraged farmers to plant, the actual regulatory landscape—costly Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, Certificate of Product Registration fees, and cumbersome business permits—was designed for well-funded corporations, leaving smallholders stranded.

“Policies are drafted in ‘Imperial Manila’ by people in swivel chairs who rarely feel the soil,” Joji explains. “Corporations control the narrative while smallholder farmers have no voice. Someone had to keep their ears to the ground and carry their cries straight to the top.”

Stepping into the NSC and RAFC, Joji transformed consultative meetings into arenas for grassroots accountability:

• Rationalizing budgets and equipment: Joji confronted meager agricultural allocations, decrying a PhP1-million coffee budget for an entire region as an empty gesture. Through RAFC monitoring, she pushed to end duplicate allocations and demanded durable, field-tested machinery (dehullers, depulpers, and roasters) instead of unreliable showcase equipment.
• Advocating for the “Coffee Excellence Hub”: Recognizing that individual smallholders cannot afford tens of thousands of pesos for commercial FDA compliance, Joji lobbied for a shared, accredited processing center. Co-developed with local government units and industry agencies, this facility will enable the farmers to toll-process, roast, and package certified coffee affordably.
• Enforcing contour farming on Mount Apo: Witnessing severe soil erosion from continuous vegetable farming, which caused river siltation and flash-flood risks for low-lying municipalities like Bansalan, Joji spearheaded an inter-agency RAFC resolution with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local agriculture offices. The policy implemented contour coffee farming, using deep-rooted coffee trees as vegetative perimeters to stabilize topsoil, safeguard the watershed, and curb non-compliant upland developments.
• Lobbying for social enterprises: At the NSC, Joji continues to champion state accreditation for social enterprises, advocating that mission-driven businesses reinvesting in marginalized communities should receive targeted government backing rather than the punitive tax structures applied to commercial conglomerates.

Mentorship and succession

When asked why an internationally recognized entrepreneur commits unpaid hours to grueling policy hearings, Joji responds simply, “Kasi mahal namin ang kapwa farmers namin. If you don’t have heart, why do this? There is no salary. But farmers don’t know how to navigate the corridors of power, so we must be their voice.”

For Joji, true impact lies in passing the torch. At her Bansalan processing site, she mentors Bagobo-Tagabawa leaders like Rosie Malik-Gonzaga, teaching not just hulling and sorting, but computerized record-keeping and enterprise management. By engaging students and young farmers, she has helped inspire a new generation that now regularly captures top honors at the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition.

From quieting gunfire in the mountains with a warm brew to dismantling bureaucratic barriers inside government chambers, Felicitas “Joji” Pantoja proves that peace is not merely negotiated on paper. It is cultivated in fertile soil, roasted with patience, and shared justly across every table. | Jezebel Campaniel (Photos by Junry Danila, Joy Camille Luza, and J. Campaniel)

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Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) leaders across southern Mindanao aligned strategies to clear operational roadblocks, fast-track fund releases, and advance policy reforms to spur agri-fishery growth during their planning workshop here on September 8 to 10, 2026, in Davao City.

The three-day review brought together 60 Regional and Provincial AFC chairpersons, Department of Agriculture regional field office representatives, and budget and accounting officers from Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to reconcile ground-level performance targets and harmonize their FY 2027 program and budget priorities. 

“To perform at our best, we must foresee challenges, articulate our operational risks, and address them with precision,” said PCAF Officer-in-Charge Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban.

“When we strengthen our AFCs, we build an agri-fishery sector that truly answers to its people. The Councils ensure that the lived experiences of our grassroots stakeholders actively direct national resources where they matter most,” he added.

The activity’s main objective was to institutionalize accountability by evaluating their physical achievements alongside with the financial resources utilized. During the activity, the AFCs, together with their regional coordinators and budget officers, evaluated the physical and financial performance of the region vis-a-vis their committed FY 2026 programs, activities, and projects.  

Meanwhile, Davao Region RAFC Executive Officer and DA Regional Field Office XI Chief of the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division, Maria Febe Orbe highlighted the vital role of sustained civic engagement in turning regional plans into tangible harvests. She said that genuine public-private collaboration ensures agricultural initiatives remain responsive, inclusive, and tailored to the unique economic landscape of Mindanao’s farming and fishing communities.

Discussions and agreements

The discussion kicked off with the stories of stakeholder impact presentation from the RAFC Chairpersons of the three regions. They presented their respective notable accomplishments with the corresponding budget utilization. 

PCAF Partnership Development Division Chief Catherine Viray discussed the Councils’ accomplishments, while consolidated Participatory Monitoring and Tracking (PMT) findings and FY 2027 plan and budget based on the national expenditure program were also presented.

According to the 2026 PMT report, over 80 percent of agricultural interventions monitored across the Davao Region are fully functional and directly benefiting local agri-fishery communities. The PMT team validated a total of 88 DA-funded projects valued at PhP545.85 million in the said region. The operational breakdown includes:

• Fully utilized: 72 projects valued at PhP387.32 million
• Fully utilized with Issues: 9 projects valued at PhP132.97 million
• For utilization: 5 projects valued at PhP21.12 million
• Not utilized: 2 projects valued at PhP4.44 million
• Underutilized or Non-existent: 0 projects 

In the report, beneficiaries highlighted that provided machinery, post-harvest facilities, and farm-to-market roads have substantially lowered transport costs, boosted crop production, and supported sustainable operations for local farmer associations. Meanwhile, overall monitoring data and utilization statuses for SOCCSKSARGEN remain to be confirmed as part of the succeeding evaluation phases within the Mindanao B cluster.

Additionally, the PMT will conduct revalidation across the three regions to ensure that issues identified in previous monitoring activities have been fully resolved. 

On the other hand, to institutionalize data-backed monitoring, Institutional Development Officer Gabriel Sarangaya oriented the participants on mainstreaming Philippine Rural Development Project tools, such as the digital badge system, value chain analysis, and geo-mapping. Regional accountants and budget officers also conducted break-out reconciliation sessions led by Accounting Section Chief Maria Divina Gonzales to assess fund transfers and address disbursement backlogs.

In the workshop proper, the participants discussed the operational gaps that exist between the Municipal AFCs and the RAFCs, which is one of the causes why grassroots encounter issues and challenges.  

The delegates per region focused on discussing and recommending mechanisms to elevate municipal voices, streamline communication, and ensure that local farmers, fisherfolk, and underserved communities have a direct hand in shaping regional agri-fishery policies and budget allocations.

• Legislative and operational backing: The consultative bodies resolved to rally behind the proposed ������ Development (PCAFD) Act through formal policy resolutions. Under the proposed PCAFD Act, the agency gains permanent legal standing and a dedicated yearly government budget that cannot easily be defunded or dissolved when political administrations change. This ensures that AFCs receive continuous financial and operational support to advocate for grassroots needs and actively participate in the crafting of agri-fishery policies.
• Personnel compensation and welfare: PCAF committed to working with the DA Legal Service, the Commission on Audit, and the Department of Budget and Management to formalize remuneration for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), coordinators, and fisheries technical personnel. Furthermore, regional coordinator posts will be upgraded from Salary Grade 11 to 15 in the FY 2027 National Expenditure Program, alongside exploratory efforts to provide communication allowances.
• Financial flexibility and timely liquidation: To avoid fund forfeiture from late releases, AFCs agreed to file extension requests for FY 2026 funds by October 2026, optimize allowable balances from FY 2025, and clear fund transfer liquidations directly with regional accountants.
• Capacity building and process enhancement: Newly installed Provincial AFC Chairpersons and Coordinators will undergo mandatory modules on policy drafting and stakeholder mobilization. In addition, the PCAF Monitoring and Evaluation Section agreed to furnish PMT results well in advance of upcoming reviews to allow thorough regional review.

Consolidated outputs and priority agreements will be integrated directly into the plenary agenda of succeeding performance reviews to guarantee that field-level issues receive consistent tracking, funding, and follow-through. | Jezebel Campaniel

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Hit by volatile liveweight prices, lingering disease outbreaks, and escalating feed expenses, the local pork sector convened to craft urgent, field-driven policies to revive the industry.

Various offices and attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) convened the 2026 National Swine Summit on September 7, 2026, at the National Meat Inspection Service Salvador H. Escudero Hall, bringing together approximately 350 stakeholders nationwide through onsite and online participation. 

The Summit gathered representatives from commercial and backyard hog raisers, feed millers, local government units (LGUs), the academe, and government regulatory agencies to discuss key issues and concerns affecting the Philippine swine industry. 

Organized by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry (OASSP) in partnership with the ������, the summit aimed to consolidate ground-level issues and translate them into enforceable, high-impact government actions. 

Meanwhile, PCAF’s National Sectoral Committee on Livestock and Poultry technical secretariat served as the event secretariat.

Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Michael Garcia underscored the government’s commitment to responsive policymaking.

“Our swine industry’s path to sustainable recovery relies on practical policies built directly from the ground up,” Garcia said. 

“This Summit gathers our partners not merely to list problems, but to forge actionable solutions that safeguard hog raisers, stabilize farmgate prices, and build a truly resilient sector,” he added.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock Constante Palabrica and Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock Benjamin Albarece also led the sessions, reaffirming top-level backing for livestock modernization and biosecurity reforms.

Discussions tackled key operational bottlenecks through dedicated agency presentations and clustered open forums:

• Production and price pressures: Raisers raised red flags over farmgate prices dropping to PhP120 to PhP150 per kilo, well below typical breakeven thresholds, while calling for buying-price regulations, a proposed PhP210 floor price, and stricter monitoring of imported pork inflows.
• Disease management & vaccines: Updates centered on Bureau of Animal Industry  rollouts for African Swine Fever vaccines, alongside grower concerns regarding vaccine biosecurity risks near breeder sows and requests for state-subsidized access for low-income raisers.
• Logistics & post-harvest gaps: Producers urged regulators to simplify inter-provincial shipping clearances, fast-track LGU zoning upgrades, and invest in local cold-chain and meat-cutting facilities to lessen reliance on commercial importers.

Agribusiness marketing units and the Food Terminal Incorporated also outlined market-matching programs, corn-and-soybean feed import pathways, and Sagip Saka enterprise models to insulate local farms from middlemen price cuts.

The OASSP and the PCAF will synthesize the inputs into policy briefs and regulatory advisories to guide DA programs and tariff interventions in the coming fiscal year. | Jezebel Campaniel

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