Sagip Saka - Eastern Visayas

Mula sa Office of the Provincial Agriculture - Leyte

| DA introduces Sagip Saka to Leyte

Key provincial officials recently participated in an orientation on Republic Act No. 11321 (Sagip Saka Act) conducted by the Department of Agriculture at the Provincial Government Complex conference room in Palo.

The activity aimed to familiarize participants with the salient provisions of the law and emphasize the important role of the provincial government as a direct buyer of agricultural and fishery products from accredited cooperatives and enterprises, eliminating the need for middlemen.

Through this initiative, the government hopes to ensure stable market opportunities, increase farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income, and promote sustainable agri-fishery production.

Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero expressed optimism that the law would significantly improve the income of farmers while introducing a new system of government procurement for agricultural and fishery products.

The orientation was facilitated by Ms. Rufelie Gula and Mr. Dioscoro Gasatan Jr. from the Department of Agriculture. Also in attendance were BAC Chairman Arvin Monge, Provincial Accountant Doris Beloy, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Maria Lourdes Nadera, and representatives
from the provincial budget, social welfare and development, and agriculture offices.

Mula sa: Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas

| 𝗗𝗔-𝗥𝗙𝗢 𝟴 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA-RFO8) convened Provincial and Municipal Agriculturists from across Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran today to discuss updates and collaborations regarding Farm Clustering and Enterprise Development.

This activity highlighted the harmonization of the F2C2 program and the Sagip Saka Act. This synergy plays a pivotal role in providing farmers and fisherfolk with greater opportunities to market their products as "agripreneurs." Furthermore, the specific enterprise and market requirements of Sagip Saka were presented and discussed as integral components of farm clustering and cooperative development.

Representatives from the participating provinces organized into breakout sessions for workshops to identify potential Sagip Saka beneficiaries and clusters within their localities. They also drafted cooperative formation and cluster development plans, which were lauded by Dir. Leonarda Londina, DA-RFO 8 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations.

Republic Act 11321, also known as the Sagip Saka Act, was enacted to strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk by mandating government procurement of food products directly from local producers. This initiative promotes the local sourcing of agricultural goods through a simplified procurement process while empowering producers to transition into successful agripreneurs.
Through cluster formation, farmers and fisherfolk will gain improved access to technical and financial assistance. This strategy also facilitates the consolidation of produce, effectively opening doors to more robust and sustainable market linkages.

Mula sa Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas

| 𝗗𝗔 𝟴 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗔𝗰𝘁

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 8 (DA-8) recently cascaded the key provisions of the Sagip Saka Act to stakeholders in Eastern Visayas through an orientation held at the DA RFO 8 Carpark on April 14, 2025, to raise awareness of the law’s benefits across the region’s agricultural sector, especially among farmers and fisherfolk.

Ms. Maria Rufelie S. Gula, Chief of the Agricultural and Cooperative Enterprise Development Division (ACEDD) and Sagip Saka and F2C2 Focal Person, noted that among the key provisions of the Act are the establishment of a palay price floor and the mandate for government institutions to directly procure agricultural commodities from farmers and fisherfolk whenever such products are needed. These mechanisms aim to ensure fairer prices for producers while opening more stable and reliable markets for their produce.

Under the law, national and local government agencies are encouraged to directly procure agricultural and fishery products from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises, enabling producers to access institutional markets while reducing the role of intermediaries.

The program also provides support services such as market access facilitation, networking, and capacity-building to strengthen farmer organizations and enhance their participation in agribusiness ventures.

The activity gathered representatives from government institutions, farmer and fisherfolk organizations, and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the law and its mechanisms that promote direct market linkages between agricultural producers and institutional buyers.

Through the orientation, DA 8 highlighted that the Sagip Saka Act institutionalizes the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program (FEED), which supports the development of enterprises engaged in the processing, trading, and distribution of agricultural and fishery products.

In his message, DA 8 Regional Executive Director Rodel G. Macapañas encouraged stakeholders to help further disseminate the provisions of the law and the various interventions of the Department of Agriculture to provide clarity and ensure that more farmers and fisherfolk benefit from the opportunities it provides.
The initiative forms part of DA 8’s continuing efforts to operationalize the Sagip Saka Act in Eastern Visayas and advance rural livelihoods while contributing to the country’s broader food security goals.

Mula sa Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas

| RACE-ReFACO strategic planning conducted, farm clustering enterprise pushed

Through the initiative of the DA RFO VIII’s Agricultural Cooperative Enterprise Development Division (ACEDD), the Regional Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem (RACE) and the Region 8 Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (ReFACO) successfully held their strategic planning workshop on March 17–19, 2026, in Tacloban City.

The goal of the three-day workshop was to help the agri-cooperatives and member agencies develop practical strategies for improving agricultural cooperative integration in the region through the agro-enterprise clustering approach and the Sagip Saka Act implementation.

Additionally, the workshop aimed to strengthen ReFACO so it can become the regional hub for consolidating resources, building partnerships, and creating market connections for agricultural cooperatives in Eastern Visayas.

Officers and members of ReFACO, chosen farmers from F2C2 farm clusters, and representatives from RACE member agencies—including DA, CDA, DTI, NIA, PhilMech, PCA, DOST, DSWD, and ATI—all attended the activity.

Over the course of three days, the activity utilized a participatory planning method, engaging participants in plenary sessions, breakout discussions, action planning, and commitment setting.
Ms Maria Rufelie S. Gula, Chief of ACEDD, discussed the main aspects of the Sagip Saka Act, including the Farmers and Fisherfolks Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program. The purpose was to ensure that the federation's roadmap and operational framework match the program, allowing it to act as a big brother to farm clusters.

Likewise, representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority – Regional Office 8 (CDA RO 😎 joined in facilitating the workshop to further strengthen the role of the Regional Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem (RACE) in the operationalization of ReFACO.
In their output presentation, the groups successfully formulated both its vision and mission statements. They also established strategic objectives centered on strengthening organizational capacity, scaling-up an integrated value chain, adopting a market-oriented approach to production, and empowering local communities.

CDA Assistant Secretary Luz H. Yringo, along with officials from DA RFO VIII and CDA RO VIII, contributed insights and recommendations to support the federation in establishing well-defined objectives and strategic directions.

Mula sa Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas

| 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗜𝗜𝗜

The Region VIII Federation of Agriculture Cooperative (REFACo) is now registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
Mr. Inocentes Aruta, REFACo Chairperson received the Certificate of Registration from CDA Region VIII Director Venus M. Jornales, and DA RFO VIII Director Rodel G. Macapañas, during the Regional Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem (RACE) Monthly Meeting held today, January 14, 2026, in Tacloban City.

In his message, Director Macapañas praised the farmer leaders for achieving this milestone, highlighting the crucial role of public-private partnerships in sustaining the region's agricultural growth and competitiveness.

Director Jornales noted that launching REFACo marks a significant step forward in collaboration. This would reinforce farmers' representation in advancing the agricultural development agenda in Eastern Visayas.

Chairperson Aruta expressed hope that the federation would remain true to its mission and continue upholding social responsibility to help uplift marginalized farmers.

In addition to the awarding ceremony, the event featured the ceremonial signing of a pledge of commitment and short messages from various partner agencies to affirm their shared commitment to support agriculture cooperatives in the region.

CDA Assistant Secretary Luz Yringco participated virtually to convey her congratulations to the cooperatives for this achievement.
After the launch, RACE proceeded with its monthly meeting, where partner agencies discussed program updates and proposed interventions for further convergence and cooperative support.

Mula sa DA SAGIP SAKA

𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐊𝐓𝐈𝐁𝐎 𝐍𝐀! 🌾🐟

𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟏 𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐑𝐑 𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐨 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐚!

Sa bisa ng amyenda nitong Oktubre 22, 2025, mas mapapadali na ang paglahok ng mga lokal na producer sa Direct Purchase ng mga National at Local Government Agencies — para sa mga Feeding Programs, Relief Operations, at iba pang proyekto ng gobyerno na mag-aangat sa kita at kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

Sa tulong ng probisyong ito, sama-sama nating itaguyod ang Sustainable Agricultural and Fishery Enterprises (SAFE) tungo sa Masaganang Ani at Maunlad na Ekonomiya! 🇵🇭✨

Mula sa Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas

| Sa bisa ng amyenda ng Section 11 ng Implementing Rules and Regulations ng Sagip Saka Act noong ika-22 ng Oktubre 2025, mas pinadali ang DIRECT PURCHASE ng pamahalaan para sa magsasaka at mangingisda! 👨🏻‍🌾👩🏻‍🌾

ℹ Alamin dito kung ano ang Sagip Saka Act!

Para sa iba pang impormasyon, makipag-ugnayan sa:

Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office VIII
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (ACEDD)
📨 [email protected]
📨 [email protected]