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In just a few weeks, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Leonardo Caparida will turn 69. Yet whenever the RAFC staff call on him to attend an activity or sign important documents, he responds without hesitation, without compensation, and without fanfare, traveling from his home to wherever his presence is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n His reason is simple and sincere: <\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t want the farmers\u2019 and fishers\u2019 concerns to be delayed.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n For over three decades, RAFC Chairperson Caparida has been a steady figure in the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFC) across the country. As the regional chairperson, he has become both the voice and bridge of farmers and fisherfolk in the Zamboanga Peninsula, where agriculture is not just a livelihood but a lifeline.<\/span><\/p>\n His leadership, built on grit and grounded in empathy, has transformed a personal dream into a collective movement for growth and empowerment across the agriculture and fisheries sector.<\/span><\/p>\n Born on December 9, 1957 in Zamboanga del Sur, Caparida grew up surrounded by the rhythm of rural life. His parents were farmers, and their humble way of living taught him the value of hard work and perseverance. As the middle child of three siblings, each took a different path. One entered the military, another joined the police service but Caparida chose to remain close to the land.<\/span><\/p>\n After finishing his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Southern Mindanao College, he did not immediately work in government or the private agricultural sector. Instead, he started as a teacher, instructing Grades 1 and 2 pupils in a public elementary school.<\/span><\/p>\n It was in that classroom that he learned his first lessons in leadership: patience, the ability to simplify complex ideas, and the importance of nurturing growth through compassion and support.<\/span><\/p>\n But life would soon take him on a journey beyond the classroom. After short stints with the Philippine Coconut Authority and several years working abroad in Malaysia and Brunei, Caparida returned home with a renewed sense of purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n He opened an agricultural supply business in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, which thrived for decades. Little did he know, that enterprise would prepare him for a greater calling. Later, he joined Jardine Davies (now Jardine Distribution, Inc.), one of the country\u2019s leading distributors of agricultural products. <\/span><\/p>\n Through diligence and determination, he climbed the ranks and became the company\u2019s technical officer, a position that honed his management skills and deepened his understanding of farmers\u2019 needs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 1997, Caparida received an unexpected invitation from the mayor of Kumalarang to attend a local meeting. What he didn\u2019t know was that it was an election for the Municipal AFC (MAFC). In the end, he found himself elected as MAFC Chairperson, representing not only Jardine Davies but also the trust of his community.<\/span><\/p>\n It was the beginning of a public service journey that would define nearly half his life.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI joined the Council because I wanted to help our farmers and fisherfolk,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are the ones working the hardest, yet benefiting the least.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His passion for service propelled him forward. Years later, he became the Provincial AFC (PAFC) Chairperson of Zamboanga del Sur, where he led his province to win the Regional Gawad Saka Award as <\/span>Outstanding PAFC<\/span><\/i>. In 2014, he was elected as RAFC Chairperson of Zamboanga Peninsula, a role he continues to serve with vigor to this day.<\/span><\/p>\n When he first assumed office, there was no designated RAFC office, no vehicle, no fuel allocation, and no dedicated staff. Yet Caparida\u2019s persistence turned scarcity into strength.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of who the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) was,\u201d he said, \u201cthe RAFC office continued to function for the farmers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Through determination and partnership, he secured service vehicles, computers, and staff support that strengthened the Council\u2019s daily operations and its mission to bring government programs closer to communities.<\/span><\/p>\n Under Caparida\u2019s leadership, collaboration flourished. The RAFC forged strong relationships with DA’s line and attached agencies, local government units, and civil society organizations. Together, they led tree-planting drives, coastal clean-ups, and farmer orientations across the region\u2014small steps that built a stronger agricultural ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n One of his enduring initiatives was the \u201cNo Election Without Orientation\u201d policy. For Caparida, every officer must understand their role before assuming a title in the Council. \u201cWe should build a government through education, not politics,\u201d he emphasized.<\/span><\/p>\n This approach earned him respect even from government officials. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. once expressed his confidence in RAFC Chairpersons, noting how they work earnestly even without salary, proof that service, when sincere, transcends incentives.<\/span><\/p>\n Caparida\u2019s credibility also made him a trusted mediator. When issues arose, whether an unfinished farm-to-market road, a stalled irrigation project, or a disputed monitoring report, he was often called to help. By facilitating dialogue between mayors, contractors, and agencies, he ensured that public projects served their intended beneficiaries.<\/span><\/p>\n Among the programs closest to his heart is the Farmer-Director Program of the DA and the 黑料网. During Farmers and Fisherfolk\u2019s Month in May, RAFC Chairpersons are designated as Farmer Regional Executive Directors, granting them temporary administrative authority.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs RAFC Chairperson, we can only recommend,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut as Farmer-Director, I can sign documents that truly help farmers and fishers, except financial documents.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He maximized this opportunity by prioritizing initiatives that improved productivity and strengthened access to government support. It reminded him that when farmers\u2019 voices are heard, progress naturally follows.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leadership, however, is never without trials.<\/span><\/p>\n Caparida admits that some have questioned his long tenure, but his consistent re-election as RAFC Chair reflects the trust he has earned. His seriousness and integrity have built him a reputation as a \u201cconsultant\u201d not only for farmers but also for mayors, governors, and even military officers. His accessibility and grounded wisdom have made him a bridge between people and policies.<\/span><\/p>\n When a farm-to-market project in Zamboanga del Sur stalled due to alleged budget issues, both the Regional Executive Director and the governor called him personally to intervene. <\/span><\/p>\n With the help of PCAF\u2019s participatory monitoring and tracking team, Caparida investigated the matter, conducted site visits, and facilitated discussions with the responsible offices. Within 45 days, the project was completed and certified as finished, proof that transparency and follow-through are essential, even for volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nAn Accidental Leader, An Intentional Servant<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
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Challenges and Convictions<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nA Legacy Rooted in Service<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n