Senator Kiko Pangilinan leads Sagip Saka Act stakeholders’ meeting in CDeO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aiming to strengthen awareness and enhance the implementation of institutional market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk organizations, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan joined a stakeholders’ meeting on Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, Thursday, February 19, this city.

Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” Nepomuceno Pangilinan, Sagip Saka Act principal author, led the meeting to engage stakeholders in an open dialogue on the law’s implementation, including existing challenges, best practices, and opportunities to further strengthen institutional support mechanisms for the farmers and fishers.

The activity centered on discussions relative to Sagip Saka Act implementation strategies, a law designed to improve the income of farmers and fisherfolk by enabling national and local government agencies to directly procure agricultural and fishery products from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives, associations (FCAs), eliminating layers of intermediaries in the market.

During the activity, DA-10 facilitated the presentation of success stories from two FCAs — the Fisherfolk of Agusan Aquatic Agriculture Cooperative and the Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperative. The groups shared the progress and milestones achieved through various interventions provided under the Sagip Saka Act, highlighting improvements in organizational operations, expanded market opportunities, and strengthened partnerships resulting from their participation in Department programs.

Present during the event were DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Operations Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM, DA-10 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chief Wilson V. Lagdamin, representatives from the Local Government Unit of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, and other stakeholders.

The meeting served as a platform for information exchange and coordination among stakeholders to align strategies and reinforce collaboration in advancing the objectives of the Sagip Saka Act across Northern Mindanao. # (EJLG)