Angeles City, Pampanga — In alignment with the President’s directive to fortify national food security, the Agricultural Cooperatives Summit 2025 was convened from June 26 to 28, 2025 in Angeles City, bringing together cooperative leaders, key government agencies, and development partners from across the country.
With the theme “Strengthening the Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem: Innovation, Integration, and Impact,” the summit underscored the vital role of agricultural cooperatives in ensuring food supply, boosting farmers’ incomes, and advancing rural development.
The three-day event was organized by the Agriculture Cluster of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Virgilio R. Lazaga, M.D., in support of the national thrust toward an inclusive and resilient food system.
The event was also attended by Usec. Alexander Raquepo, Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority, Assistant Secretary Pendatun Disimban, Head of the Consumers, Marketing, Producers, and Logistics Cluster, and Assistant Secretary Vergel M. Hilario, Head of the Human Services Cluster.
A key segment of AgriSummit 2025 showcased the progress of the PACE, CDA’s national initiative to strengthen the capacity, integration, and sustainability of agricultural cooperatives. The CDA Head Office and pilot regions—III, VIII, and XI—presented a consolidated 2024–2025 performance report, highlighting gains in profiling, capacity building, convergence, and access to support programs. Each region shared implementation insights and localized innovations, reinforcing the importance of tailoring interventions to specific contexts.
As part of the field learning component, participants visited Bagumbayan Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Region III, which exemplified grassroots success in enterprise, governance, and value chain engagement. The session underscored the need to institutionalize the ecosystem approach and scale effective models nationwide.
The Agricultural Cooperatives Summit 2025 concluded with the adoption of strategic resolutions to deepen the implementation of PACE and align cooperative efforts with national development goals. Regional officers and stakeholders identified policy and program priorities, calling for stronger institutional partnerships, direct access to government support, greater involvement in institutional markets, and sustained convergence strategies. The resolutions signified a shared commitment to an enabling environment for cooperatives as vital partners in food security, rural enterprise, and inclusive growth. The session ended with a Pledge of Commitment, reaffirming collective responsibility to uphold cooperative values and drive ecosystem advancement.
In his message, Assistant Secretary Virgilio R. Lazaga, M.D., Head of the CDA Agriculture Cluster, stressed the urgency of unified action amid ongoing challenges in the sector. “Accepting defeat is not an option,” he declared. “With our shared vision and determination, we are the right group to help agricultural cooperatives—and the Filipino people—overcome hunger and rising food costs.” He also expressed pride in the cluster’s momentum: “It’s rewarding to see our cluster growing, going, and glowing. Now is the time to move forward—stronger, bolder, and ready for the road ahead.”
AgriSummit 2025 marks a significant step in consolidating national and regional efforts to build a more empowered, resilient, and impactful agricultural cooperative sector—one that is firmly embedded in the country’s pursuit of food security and inclusive rural development.
