“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, șÚÁÏÍű 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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Rooted in Community: Jeciry Antik’s Journey from Sacrifice to Indigenous Agri Leadership

For Antik, the journey to agricultural leadership was paved with personal sacrifice. Forced to interrupt her BS Agricultural Engineering studies at Davao del Sur State College, she moved to Dubai at the age of 21 to earn money for her mother’s medical expenses. Upon returning home, she drew on her earlier leadership experience as Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson from 2002 to 2007, renewing her commitment to serving her community.

“Leaving my studies and going to Dubai wasn’t in my original plans, but when my family needs me, I didn’t hesitate,” Antik reflected during our face-to-face sit-down. “When I finally returned home to our land, I realized my heart never left community service, I just needed to direct that passion toward helping our farmers.”

In 2017, she became the Secretary and Marketing Manager for the Tibolo Farm Workers Association (TIFWA). Demonstrating her commitment to the association, Antik personally donated a portion of her 2.9-hectare land allocation to serve as TIFWA’s project site.

“When TIFWA was looking for a place to start, I saw an opportunity to give back,” Antik shared, gesturing toward the surrounding fields. “Donating a part of my land allocation wasn’t a loss; it was an investment in our collective future. If our community prospers, we all rise together.”

Since 2017, TIFWA has grown significantly, from 69 members and 1,000 coconut seedlings planted across 15 hectares to a thriving association with 200 active members. Under Jeciry’s guidance, members intercrop coconut trees with coffee seedlings and vegetables provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA), practice selective hand-picking of red cherries for premium robusta quality, and hold Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification for vegetable production.

Antik’s work within the Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) in 2022 and the RAFC as an IP sector representative in 2025 involves navigating complex social dynamics. Advocating for tribal members means tackling systemic discrimination, helping quiet members overcome inherent shyness, and strictly adhering to tribal governance protocols that involves consulting local IP leaders, tribal chieftains, and the National Commission for IP before bringing policy proposals to various AFC councils.

“In our culture, leadership is not about standing out individually; it’s about honoring our roots,” Antik emphasized during the interview. “When I speak at the RAFC, I don’t just speak for myself. I carry the voices of our tribal chieftains and the quiet elders who spent years in the background. We must follow our traditional protocols so our advocacy remains genuine and respected.”

Looking forward, Antik is advocating for the conduct of an annual IP Summit across local, regional, and national levels featuring cultural showcases and product displays. She also plans to lobby for RAFC resolutions that secure exclusive livelihood assistance for indigenous communities, envisioning a world where TIFWA’s premium robusta coffee gains global recognition.

George Allen Callora: Turning Passion into High-Value Innovation

While Antik bridges cultural heritage and coffee production, George Allen Callora brings sharp technological enterprise to the RAFC as its youth representative. Callora founded Nesta’s Chili Company in 2018 out of a personal love for spicy foods, converting his hobby into a commercial enterprise to fund medical treatments for his late son, Nesta.

“Nesta’s Chili Company was born out of love and necessity,” Callora recalled, his tone softening as we spoke face-to-face across the table. “Every bottle of hot sauce and every crop we harvest carries my late son’s name. It started as a way to fight for his medical care, and today, it stands as his living legacy.”

Today, Callora manages 2.5 hectares of chili production across four strategic locations in the region. The distributed farms help ensure year-round harvests and provide greater protection from severe weather.

He cultivates roughly 50 chili varieties and has built Nesta’s Chili Company around them. The company supplies fresh peppers, produces signature hot sauces for restaurant chains, and sells seeds through online platforms such as Shopee and Lazada.

Further bolstering Callora’s success was the support he received from the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge and DA-Upscale Program. He received a ₱200,000 grant through the Young Farmers Challenge in 2021, followed by ₱300,000 from DA-Upscale in 2023. These financial grants allowed him to invest in drip irrigation systems and greenhouses.

However, his journey reveals critical gaps in institutional support. The DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) currently lacks baseline data for chilies, preventing Callora from securing official seed producer certifications or intellectual property protections for his hybrid chili varieties.

“We are eager to innovate, but the institutional systems need to keep pace,” Callora explained directly during our interview. “Without baseline data for chilies at the BPI level, young seed producers like me hit a ceiling. How can we safeguard our hybrid varieties or scale commercially when official certifications aren’t yet accessible for high-value crops like ours?”

As a youth leader on the RAFC, Callora is eager to challenge the perception that agriculture is an unviable career for young people. He also advocates for agricultural waste management policies such as repurposing plastic mulching and aims to construct an FDA-certified facility to hopefully expand his enterprise into supermarkets, commercial establishments and even export markets.

“Many young people look at farming as backbreaking, low-income work, but it doesn’t have to be,” Callora pointed out assertively. “With technology, strategic cropping, and council advocacy, we can turn agriculture into a high-value, modern business. I want the next generation to see that farming can offer both purpose and economic freedom.”

A United Vision for Davao’s Agricultural Council

Both Antik and Callora demonstrate how targeted representation within the AFC can drive real-world transformation. Whether it is a Bagobo-Tagabawa leader honoring tribal governance to elevate high-altitude coffee, or a young entrepreneur pushing for nationwide chili crop standards, their shared dedication proves that Davao’s agricultural future lies in inclusive policies, sustainable practices, and unwavering community service. | Text by Junry Danila. Photos by Joy Camille Luza and Jezebel Campaniel

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șÚÁÏÍű 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 șÚÁÏÍű’ 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 șÚÁÏÍű 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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Philippine agricultural officials and private sector-partners evaluated Middle East market opportunities for local coconut products under Project Coco Bridge during the special meeting of the National Sectoral Committee on Coconut on September 29, 2026 in Quezon City. 

“Its goal is to move Philippine coconut products from export potential to actual commercial and retail presence in the UAE,” said Michael Sollera, Philippine Agriculture AttachĂ© for the Middle East, Africa, and India.

Sollera explained that Project Coco Bridge is a United Arab Emirates (UAE) market-entry initiative led by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Dubai, in partnership with The Hub Trading and Logistic Services (The Hub) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Office of the Agricultural AttachĂ©  Dubai post.

A proposal was raised to utilize the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) under the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to fund the Project. In response, PCA said that the government accounting regulations and CFIDP fund limitations must be reviewed before allocating funds for the Project Coco Bridge. 

The initiative evaluates products for export readiness while addressing key market barriers, including buyer access, production capacity, packaging, labeling, and regulatory compliance, to assess demand for coconut food, beverages, health, wellness, and personal care items across the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

Project Coco Bridge follows a three-phase structure: Phase 1 (market readiness diagnostic), Phase 2 (business matching), and Phase 3 (retail activation and consumer engagement). 

Under Phase 1, 37 Philippine coconut manufacturers were contacted, and 24 underwent assessment. Of those evaluated, nine were identified as export-ready, while five demonstrated strong potential pending further technical support.

Notably, several participating enterprises have already received CFIDP assistance. The assessment highlighted the need for PCA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to align and clarify the specific support they can extend to the Project. 

Representing importer and distributor The Hub, Managing Director Lito German detailed the company’s role in assessing distribution channels across UAE modern trade, traditional retail outlets, food service, and e-commerce platforms like Amazon. German noted that the initiative prioritizes small and medium enterprises to help assess and build their capacity to meet international standards.

He identified the initial range of products under consideration, which includes coconut sugar, jam, oil, milk, cream, juices, snacks, nata de coco, desiccated coconut, vinegar, and protein bars.

“The project’s succeeding phase will explore additional products based on UAE market demand and assess whether our Filipino producers can supply them,” German added.

Grassroots concerns and government response

On the other hand, private sector representatives raised concerns regarding grassroots participation and institutional support.

Danilo Carranza of KATARUNGAN pointed out that many smallholder farmers remain limited to low-value copra production due to technical and regulatory hurdles. 

He noted that accessing capital through financial institutions like Landbank remains extremely difficult for farmers, describing the process as even harder than passing “through the eye of a needle,” and urged the government to scale up extension services to align with potential market opportunities.

Similarly, Ireneo Cerilla, Policy Advocacy Officer of PAKISAMA, stressed that coconut farmers have relied on copra for a century and urgently need access to higher-value product interventions to improve farmgate prices and rural livelihoods.

In response, government agencies committed to establishing tighter coordination mechanisms to support smallholders. Representatives from the PCA and DTI agreed to meet on October 5, 2026, to align support under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

Administered by the PCA using the coconut levy trust fund, the CFIDP aims to increase the income and productivity of Filipino coconut farmers while modernizing, rehabilitating, and industrializing the industry. 

The agencies plan to review gap analyses generated by Project Coco Bridge to target specific interventions, such as credit support, packaging refinement, and facility development, to ensure small farmers can participate in international export demand. | Jezebel Campaniel

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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 șÚÁÏÍű’ (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.

​”°Ú±őłÙŽÇ±Ő 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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Women leaders and stakeholders in agriculture and fisheries came together in Tagaytay City on September 22–24 for the 2026 Women’s Dialogue, using the spirit of the babaylan to examine the challenges women face and identify ways to strengthen their participation and leadership in the sector.

The three-day activity, organized by the PCAF Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), brought together representatives from PCAF’s Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), National Sectoral Committees (NSCs), government, civil society, academe, and the private sector. DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Natividad-Caballero and PCAF Executive Director Bernadette B. De Los Santos also joined the discussions.

With the theme “Lead Like the Babaylan: Inspiring Women, Transforming Agriculture and Fisheries Communities,” the dialogue looked at women’s contributions, the barriers that continue to limit their participation, and the practical steps that institutions and stakeholders can take to address them.

Awakening the Babaylan

PCAF Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division Chief and GAD-FPS Vice Chairperson Floreliz Avellana emphasized that the strength, wisdom, and leadership associated with the babaylan continue to exist among women today.

She described the babaylan not simply as a historical figure, but as a symbol of the knowledge, courage, compassion, and leadership that women continue to bring to their communities.

“Hindi nawawala ang babaylan, natutulog lang siya sa dugo natin, naghihintay gisingin,” Avellana said.

PCAF Partnership Development Division Chief Catherine Viray presented the rationale of the activity, noting that while women make significant contributions to agriculture and fisheries, their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives are not always equally visible in leadership and decision-making spaces.

From participation to action

De Los Santos, who also chairs the PCAF GAD-FPS, highlighted the babaylan as a keeper of knowledge, mediator, and community leader who brought people together and contributed to community well-being.

She recognized the barriers many women continue to face in accessing resources and opportunities. She emphasized the need for responsive institutions and gender-responsive systems that provide equitable opportunities for women to participate and lead.

De Los Santos encouraged participants to translate the dialogue into continuing GAD initiatives, knowledge exchange, stronger partnerships, and sustained opportunities for women farmers and fisherfolk.

Undersecretary Caballero highlighted women as community builders, citing the experiences of the Rural Improvement Clubs and Gulayan sa Bayan initiatives. She also discussed the economic contribution of women and the importance of government support mechanisms in sustaining gender-responsive interventions. She suggested developing a policy checklist or similar mechanism to help ensure that gender mainstreaming is consistently integrated into interventions and programs.

Learning, confronting barriers, and building solutions

Resource persons Pacita Juan, Chairperson of the Philippine Coffee Board and regular member of the PCAF National Sectoral Committee on Coffee, and Atty. Anna Liza Mones of the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Ligal provided perspectives on women’s contributions and the barriers affecting their participation.

Juan highlighted women’s experiential knowledge in agricultural work and encouraged participants to maximize government programs and services. Mones discussed gender-based barriers including marginalization, subordination, stereotyping, multiple burdens, harmful norms, and violence against women, as well as legal and policy mechanisms protecting women’s rights, including the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) and GAD Focal Point Systems.

On the second day, participants examined the experiences of marginalized or “unheard” women, including smallholder farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, farmers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, solo parents, and women-led organizations. Through legislative theater, they also dramatized real-life situations illustrating gender-based barriers and explored possible responses.

The discussions generated recommendations for PCAF and its partners focused on five key areas:

• Stronger institutional support: Prioritize women-led FCAs in government support programs and develop policy checklists to strengthen GAD mainstreaming and budget allocation.
• Inclusive leadership: Establish safe-space and meeting protocols within AFCs and create mentorship opportunities for women leaders and newly appointed council members.
• Gender-responsive technology: Advocate for ergonomically designed agricultural and fishery tools and more equitable access to machinery for women farmers and enterprises.
• Economic empowerment: Expand access to seed funding, inputs, enterprise support, technical training, value-adding opportunities, and formal markets for women-led agri-enterprises.
• Better data and capacity development: Promote sex-disaggregated data in agricultural registries and regular GAD and gender-analysis training for PCAF personnel and AFC representatives.

The recommendations will be endorsed to the PCAF Committee on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for consideration as policy resolutions. These include a recommendation for DA implementing units to regulate the “big brother-small brother” scheme to prevent established cooperatives from abusing or excluding small and new organizations.

At the close of the activity, De Los Santos congratulated the participants and encouraged them to continue supporting and advocating for the GAD agenda.

The 2026 Women’s Dialogue reinforced that the spirit of the babaylan is not confined to history. It continues through women who use their knowledge, courage, and leadership to serve their communities—and through institutions and partners committed to creating spaces where women can meaningfully participate and lead.

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