Tacloban City, February 7, 2025 – Key stakeholders in the agricultural sector gathered for the Convergence of Stakeholders for the Pilot Implementation of the Framework on Strengthening the Philippine Agricultural Cooperatives Ecosystem, an event designed to foster collaboration and commitment in enhancing the country’s agricultural cooperatives.  Hosted by the Cooperative Development Authority – Region 8 Tacloban Extension Office, the convergence event aimed to strengthen the agricultural cooperative ecosystem by addressing challenges, securing stakeholder commitments, and establishing a roadmap for future initiatives.

The event commenced with the registration of participants followed by an opening led by Dir. Venus M. Jornales, Regional Director of CDA R8, who welcomed the attendees and provided an overview of the activity’s objectives.  ASEC Luz H. Yringco, Board of Director III and Oversight for the Agri-Ecosystem Program in Visayas, along with Maripaz M. Del Pilar, Supervising CDS/Assistant Regional Director, presented insights on strengthening the agriculture cooperative ecosystem. The discussion revisited prior activities and stakeholder contributions toward the pilot implementation of the framework through a series of orientations conducted in every province.

A key segment of the program focused on identifying the needs and gaps of agricultural cooperatives, presented by Grace L. Mapanao, Acting Sr. CDS/Agriculture Cluster Focal. This was followed by a session on securing stakeholder buy-in and commitment, facilitated by Atty. Jasper M. Carias, Attorney III of the Legal Section, who also introduced the Proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). After gathering responses from official representatives of stakeholders, the afternoon session resumed to the signing of the Commitment of Solidarity & Ways Forward session, led by Rowan L. Delos Santos, Sr. CDS, CPDAS. The event concluded with closing remarks from Jordan A. Madjus, Sr. CDS, CRITS, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and sustained efforts to improve the agricultural cooperative ecosystem.

As a follow-through to the convergence, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing is scheduled for March 7, 2025. This formal commitment will solidify the cooperation among stakeholders and serve as a binding document to ensure the implementation of the agreed strategies for strengthening agricultural cooperatives in the region. The MOA aims to outline specific responsibilities,  resource allocations, and collaborative actions needed to enhance the agricultural cooperative framework.  The convergence of stakeholders for the Agri-Ecosystem Pilot Implementation is an important step toward a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural cooperative sector nationwide. Through collaborative efforts, stakeholders reiterated their commitment to empowering farmers, strengthening cooperatives, and increasing agricultural output in the region. With this initiative, the CDA and its partners are set to drive capacity-building programs, and strategic partnerships to boost the country’s agricultural sector to be able to make impactful contributions towards food security.