Held at EPATHA Development Center-SACOP, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the convergence provided a platform for government agencies to align their programs and resources to support agricultural cooperatives in enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. Among the participating agencies were the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

In her opening remarks, CDA Region 3 Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang emphasized the importance of agricultural cooperatives in ensuring a stable and sufficient food supply for the nation. “The strength of our agricultural sector relies heavily on the capabilities of our cooperatives. Through this convergence, we are strengthening the ties between government agencies to provide meaningful support for our cooperatives,” she said.

The event was further enriched by the presence of Assistant Secretary Virgilio R. Lazaga, Member of the CDA Board of Directors, whose keynote message resonated strongly with the participants. Asec. Lazaga expressed his unwavering support for the agricultural cooperatives in Central Luzon and shared valuable insights into their development.

He introduced the ABC’s of Cooperatives, a guiding principle for cooperative growth and sustainability. “A stands for Accounting, B for Bookkeeping, C for Capability Building, D for Developmental Initiatives, E for Entrepreneurship, F for Financial Literacy, and G for Governance,” he explained. With emphasis, he added, “However, we need to forget another G, which is Greed. Greed has no place in cooperatives. It is through collective effort and shared values that we can achieve success and uplift our cooperatives.”

Asec. Lazaga’s remarks highlighted the CDA’s vision for agricultural cooperatives to become pillars of resilience and innovation, capable of addressing the pressing issues of food insecurity.

The program also featured a comprehensive presentation of the CDA Legal Programs for Agricultural Cooperatives, delivered by Atty. Macy N. Marcelo, Attorney III of CDA Region 3. Atty. Marcelo provided an in-depth overview of the legal frameworks that safeguard and promote the development of agricultural cooperatives. She highlighted the essential role of compliance with cooperative laws and regulations, emphasizing that adherence to these legal requirements is key to ensuring long-term sustainability and success for cooperatives.

A particularly engaging segment of the event involved the participation of law students under the CDA Laws Awareness Program (CLAP). CLAP is a flagship project of the CDA designed to deepen the understanding and appreciation of cooperative laws among future legal practitioners. The program offers law students the opportunity to learn about the legal intricacies of cooperatives and how they play a vital role in the nation’s socio-economic development. Through this initiative, the CDA aims to equip aspiring lawyers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for the cooperative sector.

This partnership between the CDA and law students is an essential step in ensuring that the next generation of legal professionals can champion the rights and growth of cooperatives in the future.

Additionally, the event featured a Townhall Meeting on the Framework for Accelerating Access to Finance for Agricultural Cooperatives through the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Program, presented by Ms. Jeline D. Reyes, Senior CDS of the CSF Section, CDA Region 3. This session provided participants with valuable insights into how the CSF Program enhances the financial capacity of agricultural cooperatives, enabling them to secure critical funding, improve operational efficiency, and seize new business opportunities. In addition, the event included the distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, which further educated participants on the benefits and processes of the CSF Program. A noteworthy contribution during the CSF presentation came from Mr. Fernando Pablo, Manager of Simula ng Panibagong Bukas MPC (SIPBU MPC). He shared his cooperative’s success story in joining the San Jose City CSF Cooperative, emphasizing how the program facilitated access to essential financing, empowering SIPBU MPC to expand its operations and better support its members.

𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

The event featured an impressive lineup of resource speakers who shared their expertise and addressed the challenges faced by agricultural cooperatives, as well as potential solutions to drive sustainable development in the sector.

Dr. Diadem Gonzales-Esmero of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) delivered an insightful presentation focused on the RiceBIZ program, a key initiative designed to help rice farmers and cooperatives explore business opportunities within the rice value chain. Dr. Esmero emphasized how the program empowers farmers to transition from traditional farming practices to more entrepreneurial approaches, offering them access to training in rice-based business management, market linkages, and value-adding processes. She highlighted how the RiceBIZ program supports cooperatives in enhancing their economic sustainability by providing the tools and resources needed to turn rice production into a profitable and viable business venture.

Dr. Maricel L. Dullas and Mr. Gil David from the Department of Agriculture (DA) shared key strategies to support agricultural cooperatives and enhance food security. Dr. Dullas provided an update on the newly created Agricultural Cooperative and Enterprise Development Division, which is focused on offering tailored support to agricultural cooperatives. She emphasized that the division’s primary goal is to strengthen the organizational capacity of cooperatives, ensuring they are better equipped to increase productivity and contribute significantly to the nation’s food security.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gil David discussed the latest developments in livestock and poultry farming in Central Luzon. He highlighted the DA’s efforts to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector, ensuring that cooperatives can meet the growing demand for quality poultry and livestock products. Their presentations underscored the DA’s commitment to supporting agricultural cooperatives, empowering them to play a vital role in ensuring food security across the region.

Mr. Alejandro D. Sebastian of the National Food Authority (NFA) focused on the marketing of palay, emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair prices for farmers. He presented updates on the pricing strategies designed to help farmers sell their palay at competitive rates, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their harvests. Mr. Sebastian also highlighted the crucial role of efficient marketing and distribution systems in the sector, stressing how improved storage facilities and streamlined processes can significantly reduce post-harvest losses. By enhancing these systems, he explained, farmers are better positioned to access markets, which contributes to greater food security and economic stability in the region.

Ms. Eden N. Garcia of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) shared key initiatives in the improvement of irrigation systems for cooperatives. Her presentation focused on expanding access to sustainable and efficient irrigation infrastructure, which is vital for enhancing productivity, especially in areas prone to water scarcity. She also outlined ongoing government efforts to rehabilitate existing irrigation systems to better support the needs of farmers and cooperatives.

Dr. Cyril Baltazar of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) provided an engaging presentation on programs for livestock development, with a particular focus on cattle and carabaos. He discussed how cooperatives can benefit from PCC’s initiatives, such as access to genetically superior breeding stocks, milk production training, and value-adding opportunities in dairy processing. These programs not only help improve the livelihoods of cooperative members but also contribute to the growth of the livestock industry.

Finally, Ms. Joan Gay C. Oreas of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) delivered an impactful presentation on advancements in aquaculture and fisher folk cooperative support programs. She detailed initiatives that provide cooperatives with access to high-quality fingerlings, modern fish farming technologies, and capacity-building training. Ms. Oreas highlighted how these efforts have helped fisherfolk cooperatives increase production, improve product quality, and establish stronger market linkages, ultimately enhancing their competitiveness and sustainability.

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐇𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of success stories from agricultural cooperatives, including the Hagonoy Fish Farmers Producers Cooperative (HFFPC), which showcased how government support has transformed its operations and significantly uplifted the livelihoods of its members.

Supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the HFFPC, based in Hagonoy, Bulacan, has emerged as a model cooperative in the fisheries sector. Through BFAR’s assistance, the cooperative received essential inputs such as high-quality fingerlings, fish feeds, and modern aquaculture equipment. These resources allowed the cooperative to increase production efficiency, improve the quality of their fish harvests, and reduce operational costs.

The cooperative also benefited from BFAR’s training programs, which equipped members with knowledge on sustainable aquaculture practices, proper pond management, and marketing strategies. As a result, the HFFPC was able to establish reliable market linkages, supplying fresh fish to local communities and nearby provinces, while ensuring fair prices for their products.

“The support from BFAR has been a game-changer for us,” shared Mr. Victoriano G. Cruz, Chairperson of the Hagonoy Fish Farmers Producers Cooperative. “We’ve not only improved our productivity but also strengthened our ability to contribute to sustainable supply of food in our community. Being part of this convergence reaffirms that we are not alone in this journey.”

The success of HFFPC serves as an inspiring example of how targeted support and collaboration with government agencies can help cooperatives thrive and create lasting impacts on their communities. Their story resonated with attendees, highlighting the transformative potential of targeted support for cooperatives.

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

The convergence ended with a renewed sense of purpose among the participants, who committed to working together in addressing the needs of agricultural cooperatives. Collaborative programs with a focus on fostering innovation, providing capacity-building opportunities, and ensuring that cooperatives are equipped to contribute significantly to the nation’s food security goals.

CDA Region 3 expressed its gratitude to all participating agencies and cooperatives for their active involvement and dedication. “We are not only building stronger cooperatives but also fortifying the foundation for a food-secure future for the Filipino,” said Atty. Macy N. Marcelo, in her closing remarks.

Plans are now underway to expand the initiative, establishing a regional framework that prioritizes capacity building, innovation, and sustainability for agricultural cooperatives. These efforts aim to position agricultural cooperatives as the cornerstone of a resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable agricultural sector, ensuring that no Filipino goes hungry.