To celebrate the achievements and contributions of farmers’ and fisherfolk in food security and nation-building, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recognized outstanding organizations and individuals who serve as invaluable partners in agricultural development during the closing ceremony of the National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month (NFFM) on May 27, 2024.
“Kasabay ng pagpapasalamat natin sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, pagnilayan natin ang kanilang pambihirang kontribusyon sa kadakilaan at kaunlaran ng ating bansa. Ang Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month ay panahon ng paggunita at malalim na pagpapahalaga ng katapatan at determinasyon sa ating mga pagsisikap bilang mga lingkod-bayan,” Undersecretary for Operations and 2024 NFFM Chairperson Roger Navarro said.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Agrarian Reform, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Senator Cynthia Villar acknowledged the crucial role of the farmers and fisherfolk and reported updates on the important legislations that her team is facilitating.
In particular, she shared that the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the bill on the development and promotion of the livestock, poultry, and dairy industries will protect and make local producers more competitive.
Congressman and Chairperson of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Wilfrido Mark Enverga also committed to ensure legislative support for the farmers and fisherfolk in a message read by DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.
For the 2024 NFFM with the theme, “Magsasaka at Mangingisda katuwang sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” the DA recognized the hard work and contributions of the following organizations and industry players:
• Bliss Lingion Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC), represented by Chairperson Dante Dosayco, for the cassava development in Bukidnon;
• Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative, represented by Manager Evangeline Frasco, for the corn cluster management in Bukidnon;
• National Fisherfolk Director Lilia Nuño from Zamboanga City;
• Kalasag Multipurpose Cooperative, represented by Chairperson Arnold V. Dizon, for high value crops development in Nueva Ecija;
• Organic Farmers of District 6 Bulacan Inc., represented by Chairperson Melba Dizon, for promoting organic agriculture in Bulacan;
• Rosario Livestock and Agriculture Farming Cooperative, represented by Board of Director member Marciana Alagar, for livestock development in Batangas; and
• San Agustin-San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers Cooperative, represented by Assistant Manager Charol Arejola, for rice development in Camarines Sur.
“Napakalaking bagay po sa aming mga magsasaka at nakakasigla po ito sa amin,” Dizon said during the program.
The following farmer directors and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) chairpersons were also recognized during the event:
• Ryan Palunan of CAR
• Benjamin Campañano Jr. of Ilocos Region
• Bernadette De Los Santos of Bicol Region
• Buen Mondejar of Western Visayas
• Grace Cenas of Central Visayas
• Leonardo Caparida of Zamboanga Peninsula
• Nilda Salas of Northern Mindanao
• Epifanio Loyola, Jr. of Davao Region
• Christopher Lindo of CARAGA
• Salik Panalunsong of BARMM
To close this year’s NFFM celebration, the DA launched the 2025 Gawad Saka—one of the agency’s most prominent award given to outstanding individuals and institutions in the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The month of May is celebrated yearly as the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month as per Presidential Proclamation No. 33, issued on May 21, 1989 to recognize farmers’ and fisherfolk’s invaluable contribution to nation-building. ### (Gumamela Bejarin, DA-AFID)
