STEP GO-DIGITS program for Cagayan ARBOs

The STEP GO-DIGITS program is a digital transformation initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that aims to help agri-based groups and rural enterprises become part of the digital economy. It does this by providing technology tools, internet connectivity, e-commerce onboarding, and digital skills support so these organizations can improve how they operate, market their products, and reach customers online.

How It Started for Cagayan ARBOs

In December 2025, DTI expanded the STEP GO-DIGITS project to include Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in several regions, including Cagayan Valley (Region II). The government distributed Digitalization Business (DigiBiz) Kits to a group of ARBOs in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao. These kits include technology such as Starlink Standard Enterprise V4 satellite internet equipment with priority data plans to help overcome poor or inconsistent connectivity in rural areas.

In Cagayan province, four (4) ARBOs were initial recipients of the STEP GO-DIGITS Project of DTI Regional Office 02:

• MBG Farmers Irrigators Credit Cooperative

• Nararagan Valley MPC

• PATASDA ARB Cooperative

• Solana West Farmers Cooperative

This technological support is meant to resolve a major challenge identified by DTI: over two-thirds of rural enterprises supported by the agency suffer from slow or non-existent internet, which limits their ability to participate in online selling, digital marketing, and virtual learning.

What It Means for ARBOs in Cagayan

For the ARBOs that received support under STEP GO-DIGITS in Cagayan Valley, this intervention is more than just new gadgets:

• Internet connectivity becomes reliable enough to support business activities that require a stable connection.

• Digital tools and platforms enable ARBOs to list products online, accept electronic payments, and run digital marketing campaigns.

• Virtual learning and networking opportunities increase as members can attend online training, webinars, and e-commerce onboarding sessions without connectivity barriers.

Through these improvements, ARBOs—many of which are cooperatives, multi-purpose cooperatives, and agrarian groups in Cagayan—can compete more effectively in both local and wider markets.

Why This Matters

For rural agrarian organizations that traditionally rely on local markets and manual processes, STEP GO-DIGITS is a gateway to modern business practices. It equips ARBOs with the digital tools and connectivity necessary to:

• Sell beyond their immediate locality through online channels.

• Improve productivity and operations efficiency by using digital systems instead of paper-based or manual tracking.

• Build long-term sustainability by adapting to digital trends in commerce and customer interaction.

Through STEP GO-DIGITS, the DTI has helped Cagayan ARBOs get connected and digitally capable, addressing infrastructure challenges and giving them access to e-commerce tools that can take their products and services to broader markets.  

Photos: Catherine Gardoce and DAR-DTI CARP

Stronger Markets, Stronger Farmers: The PAHP–Sagip Saka Effect in Cagayan

The Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) and the Sagip Saka Act (Republic Act 11321) have supported Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in Cagayan — focusing on market access, income stabilization, organizational capacity, and legal procurement frameworks:

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📌 1. PAHP: Direct Market Linkages and Sales Opportunities

PAHP, implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program, connects ARBOs directly with institutional buyers (government agencies and partner institutions) for the supply of agricultural produce. Through PAHP:

• ARBOs are linked to formal institutional markets such as feeding programs (e.g., Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facilities supplying PDL feeding needs), allowing them to sell locally grown vegetables and other produce on agreed terms.

• These market agreements provide ARBOs with predictable buyers and stable sales opportunities, reducing the reliance on volatile informal markets and middlemen, which often depress farmgate prices.

• Across all regions where PAHP is implemented, such partnerships have generated structured sales agreements worth billions for agrarian reform beneficiary enterprises.

In practical terms, for ARBOs in Cagayan:

• Participating ARBOs can secure purchase contracts with government feeding programs and other local institutional partners.

• Regular procurement encourages consistent production planning and better logistics, which helps ARBOs improve collective capacity and negotiate better pricing.

Even though specific sales figures for Cagayan are not always published regionally, the PAHP model has been replicated nationwide and supports ARBOs’ income and market participation in the province in similar fashion to other regions.

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📌 2. Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321): Legal Foundation for Direct Government Procurement

The Sagip Saka Act institutionalizes market access by requiring national and local government agencies to procure agricultural and fishery products directly from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk enterprises — including ARBOs — for use in feeding programs, relief operations, and other government needs.

Key mechanisms that support ARBOs under this law include:

a. Direct Government Procurement Without Competitive Bidding

• The law allows government agencies to purchase produce directly from accredited ARBOs, bypassing traditional public bidding processes — this lowers administrative barriers and creates reliable sales channels.

b. Institutional Market Expansion

• Beyond PAHP partners, Sagip Saka empowers all government buyers (e.g., schools, hospitals, social feeding and nutrition programs, disaster relief procurement) to source directly from ARBOs.

• Regional and local government units in Cagayan Valley can thus tap ARBOs for their procurement needs, broadening market reach beyond DAR-facilitated PAHP agreements.

c. Enterprise Development and Support

• The Act establishes the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program aimed at strengthening ARBO business skills, market readiness, production quality, and value-chain participation.

• It also provides for capacity building, access to financing assistance, and promotion of enterprise competitiveness — critical elements for sustaining ARBO participation in institutional markets.

In Cagayan, this means that ARBOs with accredited status under the Sagip Saka framework can:

• Supply directly to any government agency with needs for agricultural products (e.g., DSWD feeding programs, DepEd school feeding), without repeated competitive bid processes.

• Benefit from a broader institutional buyer base beyond PAHP, which alone focuses on specific partnerships to fight hunger and poverty.

• Strengthen their operational and marketing capabilities through enterprise development resources promoted under the Act.

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📌 3. Combined Contribution of PAHP & Sagip Saka for Cagayan ARBOs

While PAHP and Sagip Saka operate through different mechanisms, together they form a complementary support ecosystem that enhances ARBO performance in the following ways:

Market Access

• PAHP secures initial and structured institutional buyers for ARBO products, providing reliable demand that motivates production planning.

• Sagip Saka allows expanded, legally grounded procurement opportunities across public institutions, increasing sales avenues and reducing reliance on a single market channel.

Income Stability

• Contracts under PAHP help ARBOs generate recurring sales, which in aggregate have reached billions nationally, benefiting local agricultural enterprises, including those in Cagayan.

• Sagip Saka reinforces income security by embedding direct procurement obligations across government agencies, promoting routine and fair transactions for ARBO produce.

Organizational Strengthening

• Through PAHP contracts and implementation support, ARBOs learn to coordinate production, quality control, and delivery logistics.

• Under Sagip Saka, enterprise development frameworks provide training, business planning, and support systems that help ARBOs transition into formal agribusiness entities capable of meeting greater institutional demands.

Food Security and Local Food Systems

• PAHP ensures that locally produced food also serves targeted vulnerable populations (e.g., persons deprived of liberty, school and community feeding), anchoring ARBOs within local food systems and public nutrition programs.

• Sagip Saka’s direct procurement reinforces this by channeling more domestic supply into institutional consumption, strengthening linkages between production and consumption within the region.

Active ARBOs in Cagayan that have participated in PAHP (and by extension can benefit from Sagip Saka-enabled procurement) based on available reporting and government coordination activities:

✅ 1. DOH-DAR Marketing Agreements (PAHP) – Cagayan ARBOs

In Region 02 (Cagayan Valley), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Health (DOH) signed marketing agreements under PAHP with five ARBOs, enabling them to supply produce for institutional feeding/services. This event demonstrates active involvement of Cagayan ARBOs in formal PAHP market linkages.

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📌 2. ARBOs Supplying to Institutional Buyers (BJMP)

DAR reports indicate that agrarian reform beneficiaries from the region are supplying fresh agricultural goods directly to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facilities under PAHP marketing arrangements. While specific ARBO names were not listed in the media reports, this partnership confirms PAHP operational participation by Cagayan ARBOs as suppliers in institutional contracts.

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📌 3. Wider ARBO Landscape in Cagayan (DAR-CARP Monitoring List)

A 2024 monitoring and evaluation conducted by DAR and DTI in Cagayan identified a cohort of ARBOs/agrarian cooperatives active in marketing, production, and business development efforts. Not all may currently have confirmed PAHP or Sagip Saka contracts, but these are some eligible and present ARBOs in the province that could be participating in institutional procurement channels:

• MBG Farmer Irrigators Credit Cooperative (Rizal, Cagayan)

• Cabayabasan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Lal-lo, Cagayan)

• Pata Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Claveria, Cagayan)

• Payagan Farmers Cooperative (Ballesteros, Cagayan)

• Sambaland ARB Cooperative (Sanchez Mira, Cagayan)

• Caagaman Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Aparri, Cagayan)

• San Mariano Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Lal-lo, Cagayan)

• Cambass Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Gonzaga, Cagayan)

• Maguing Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Gonzaga, Cagayan)

• Lasvinag Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Gattaran, Cagayan)

• Sta. Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Pamplona, Cagayan)

• Patasda ARB Cooperative (Allacapan, Cagayan)

• Evergreen Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Baggao, Cagayan)

• Concepcion Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Amulung, Cagayan)

• Salamin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Tuao, Cagayan)

• Northern Sto. Niño Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Sto. Niño, Cagayan)

• Nabbotuan Farmers MPC (Solana, Cagayan)

• Solana West Farmers Cooperative (Solana, Cagayan)

• Villarey ARB Cooperative (Piat, Cagayan)

• Mabuhay Agri-Crop MPC (Piat, Cagayan)

This list reflects active ARBOs engaged with DAR support structures and represents the pool from which PAHP/Sagip Saka contracts typically emerge in the province. 

📌 About Sagip Saka Contracts

While specific Sagip Saka procurement awards tied to individual ARBOs in Cagayan are not widely published online, ARBOs with active PAHP institutional relationships (such as DOH and BJMP supply agreements) are positioned to benefit from Sagip Saka’s direct government procurement mechanisms. Sagip Saka — enacted as Republic Act No. 11321 — facilitates direct purchases from accredited farmer organizations like ARBOs for government feeding, relief, and nutrition programs, expanding market opportunities beyond PAHP alone. (General law description; not region-specific). 

Together, PAHP and the Sagip Saka Act provide Cagayan’s ARBOs with a two-pronged advantage: (1) practical, program-driven institutional buyers through PAHP and (2) an expanded, legally supported market environment that enables ongoing, diversified government procurement. This synergy strengthens ARBOs’ economic resilience, market legitimacy, and long-term prospects as viable agribusiness entities rather than marginal produce sellers.

DAR Deploys Mobile Solar-Powered Water Pumps to ARBOs in Cagayan province to Boost Farm Productivity

CAGAYAN, Philippines — In a strategic effort to modernize agricultural operations and support sustainable farming, the Department ofAgrarian Reform (DAR) – Provincial Office of Cagayan (DARPO Cagayan) has rolled out mobile solar-powered water pump systems to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs) across Cagayan Province, specifically: Villarey Agrarian ReformBeneficiary (ARB) Cooperative in Piat; Western Zone Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative in Solana; and Evergreen Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative in Baggao, all in the province of Cagayan.

The initiative aims to address persistent irrigation challenges and reduce dependency on costly fuel-powered pumps, while increasing crop yields among smallholder farmers.

During a regional agrarian support activity in Tuguegarao City, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III highlighted that the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps was part of a broader assistance package provided to thousands of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region. The equipment was handed over alongside other farm machinery and inputs to ARBOs from provinces including Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

“This support helps our farmers reduce production costs, particularly by minimizing reliance on gasoline or diesel-driven pumps, and boosts agricultural productivity through a constant and eco-friendly water supply,” Estrella said.

Solar-Powered Water Pumps: A Practical Solution for Rural Farming Challenges. The mobile solar-powered water pumps harness renewable energy to draw and deliver water to farmlands without the need for grid electricity or fuel. This enables year-round irrigation even in remote areas with limited infrastructure, ensuring that crops receive a reliable water supply during both planting and dry periods. Farmers can use these systems for rice paddies, high-value crops, and vegetable gardens, which can significantly increase cropping frequency and overall production.

Local ARBO leaders expressed optimism about the mobile solar pump systems, noting that the reduced operating costs and ease of deployment would allow their communities to better manage water needs without the financial strain of fuel expenditures.

Part of a Larger Push for Agricultural Modernization. The rollout in Cagayan Valley complements other renewable irrigation initiatives across the Philippines. While the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has been implementing large-scale solar-powered irrigation projects — such as the Solar Pump Irrigation System in various parts of Cagayan and Isabela — DAR’s focus has been on providing smaller, mobile solar water pumping systems tailored to the needs of ARBOs and individual farming communities. Such interventions support the national agenda to strengthen food security, improve rural livelihoods, and promote climate-resilient agricultural practices. By leveraging solar energy, the programs help mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs and environmental constraints associated with traditional irrigation methods.

Looking Ahead. DAR has indicated plans to expand support for solar-powered agricultural equipment to additional ARBOs across other agrarian reform communities. Farmers and local officials welcomed these efforts, emphasizing that access to reliable irrigation is crucial for improving productivity, enhancing agricultural income, and fostering community resilience against weather variability.

DARPO-Cagayan launches ARBO Monday Market

The ARBO Monday Market is a marketing initiative of the DARPO-Cagayan designed to bridge the gap between food producers and consumers. It is a program aimed at providing sustainable solutions to food security and inflation.

DARPO-Cagayan (Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office - Cagayan) actively supports Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) through market-linkage initiatives, including promoting local produce, direct marketing, and digital integration. Conducted every first Monday of the month, ARBOs are invited to sell their products at the DARPO compound where employees and guests purchase goods from agrarian reform beneficiaries. 

Key Information regarding the ARBO Market in Cagayan:

Market Linkage & Promotion: DARPO-Cagayan, under Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Val M. Cristobal, focuses on strengthening ARBOs by providing market linkages, capacity building, and financial literacy to help them transition from developing to more sustainable, business-oriented organizations.

Digital Marketing Initiative: To avoid exploitative middlemen during peak harvest seasons, DAR has launched land-based digitization projects to feature ARBO products online. This allows for better visibility and allows the public/institutional buyers to directly contact cooperatives.

Direct Marketing (PAHP): ARBOs participate in the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP), where they act as direct suppliers to government institutions, such as jails (BJMP) and schools.

Support Services: In December 2025, DAR Cagayan Valley (Region 02) delivered nearly P400 million in support services and distributed land titles to thousands of beneficiaries, which includes providing equipment to aid in the post-harvest, processing, and marketing of products.

Products Offered: ARBOs typically supply rice, fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, and processed products. 

Dairy Box Tuguegarao Advances Local Dairy Industry Through Multi-Agency Support

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The operation of Dairy Box Tuguegarao continues to strengthen market access for locally produced dairy products through the collaborative efforts of the Integrated Farmers Cooperative, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tuguegarao City.

Dairy Box (located at Zone 6, Maharlika highway, Namabbalan Norte, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan) serves as a dedicated outlet for carabao milk and value-added dairy products produced by farmer-beneficiaries and cooperative members. Products available include fresh carabao milk, pastillas de leche and other milk-based commodities, which provide consumers with nutritious, locally sourced alternatives while generating sustainable income for producers.

The Integrated Farmers Cooperative manages the day-to-day operations and product sourcing, ensuring that benefits directly reach farming communities. DAR supports the initiative as part of its agrarian reform community development efforts, while DA provides technical assistance to enhance dairy production.

DTI contributes through enterprise development, packaging, and market linkage support; DOST provides technical guidance on food processing, quality assurance, and product innovation; and the LGU supports the initiative through local promotion and enabling policy environment.

The multi-agency partnership underscores the government’s commitment to food security, rural enterprise development, and inclusive economic growth. Through continued collaboration, Dairy Box Tuguegarao is positioned as a strategic platform for empowering farmers, strengthening cooperatives, and promoting proudly Filipino agricultural products.

Residents of Tuguegarao City and nearby communities are encouraged to patronize locally produced dairy products through Dairy Box Tuguegarao, a dedicated outlet featuring fresh and value-added milk products made by local farmer-producers and cooperative members.

Dairy Box serves as a community-based marketing platform for high-quality dairy commodities, offering consumers access to fresh carabao milk, pastillas de leche, and other milk-based products. These products are processed using locally sourced milk, ensuring freshness while promoting the use of Philippine-made agricultural commodities.

Carabao milk, one of the outlet’s flagship products, is known for its naturally creamy texture and high nutritional value, particularly in calcium and protein content. Meanwhile, processed products such as pastillas and kesong puti provide consumers with convenient, affordable, and culturally rooted food options suitable for households, students, and professionals.

Beyond product promotion, Dairy Box plays a significant role in supporting livelihood generation and enterprise development among small-scale dairy farmers. By providing a reliable market outlet, it helps improve producers’ income and encourages the growth of community-based agri-enterprises in the province.

The initiative reflects the continuing efforts of stakeholders to promote food security, local economic development, and consumer awareness on the benefits of supporting Filipino-made products. It also strengthens the link between producers and consumers, ensuring that the value of agricultural production is shared more equitably across the supply chain.

The public is invited to visit Dairy Box Tuguegarao and support local dairy products that are nutritious, affordable, and proudly made in Cagayan.

Government Optimization Act: Can I avail of the retirement benefits and incentives under Republic Act No. 12231 even before promulgation of IRR?

Under Republic Act No. 12231 (Government Optimization Act), retirement benefits and separation incentives are expressly provided for affected government personnel. The law sets out what benefits are available and when they become payable — but the availability of those benefits is structurally tied to implementation actions that depend on the IRR and subsequent administrative steps.

Here’s how it works under the statute:

1. The law already includes retirement benefits and incentives.

Section 13 of the Act states that qualified affected personnel shall be entitled to retirement benefits and separation incentives under existing laws (e.g., RA 1616, RA 660, RA 8291) and additional separation incentives set by RA 12231 itself.

2. The timing of eligibility is linked to implementation actions.

Section 15 of the Act specifies that these retirement benefits and separation incentives “shall be available within sixty (60) days from the issuance of the Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the concerned agencies.”

• The NOSCA is an administrative action that formally notifies agencies of approved changes under the optimization program (e.g., abolished positions or reorganized structure).

• Because the issuance of the NOSCA is contingent on the optimization process (which itself depends on the IRR, committee actions, and agency studies), the benefits generally cannot be operationalized until those steps have progressed sufficiently.

3. IRR is required to operationalize procedural details.

The law also states that “the specific guidelines to carry out the provisions of this section shall be prescribed in the IRR of this Act.”

• This means that while the law creates the entitlement, the IRR will set out procedures (such as documentation requirements, filing processes, and coordinating procedures between agencies and GSIS) that personnel must comply with to actually avail of those benefits.

• In practice for Philippine statutes, benefit availment and processing typically await IRR or interim guidelines to clarify administrative steps and requirements.

Conclusion (Can you avail benefits before the IRR?):

• No — you generally cannot effectively avail retirement benefits and incentives under RA 12231 before the promulgation of the IRR and before the relevant administrative triggers (e.g., NOSCA issuance).

• The statutory entitlement exists, but operational availment and processing require the IRR or corresponding administrative guidelines first.

• Additionally, the benefits become due only after a NOSCA is issued to your agency, which itself is dependent on completion of optimization actions under the law’s implementation framework.

2025 Agrarian Reform in Cagayan Valley

 2025 Milestones:

1. Mass Distribution of Land Titles and Support Services in Cagayan Valley

A major DAR-led activity took place in December 2025, where thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the region — including Cagayan province — received land titles and support inputs:

• Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and split electronic titles (e-titles) were handed out to secure individual land ownership.

• In the region, 900 ARBs received CLOAs and 1,872 received split e-titles.

• 1,344 farmers benefited from debt relief under the Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) program.

Farm machinery and equipment worth about Php 45.2 million were distributed, including solar-powered irrigation pumps and tractors. In Cagayan specifically, 2,872 beneficiaries received support valued at over Php 12.4 million.  

The goal of these measures is to boost productivity, reduce production costs, and modernize agriculture to support food security and farmer incomes. This mass distribution reflects sustained efforts by DAR and local officials to accelerate land tenure security and rural development in 2025.

2. Ongoing Individual Titling (Project SPLIT) and Mechanization Support in Cagayan

Earlier in April 2025, DAR-Cagayan offices awarded additional:

• Electronic land titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT) covering more than 21 hectares, as well as Regular Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) titles.

• A four-wheel-drive tractor with a rotavator was turned over to a local ARB cooperative to improve farm operations, productivity, and competitiveness.

• Project SPLIT aims to convert collective agrarian titles into individual ownership, giving farmers legal clarity and stability for credit access and investment decisions. 

Project SPLIT is part of a national DAR goal to distribute up to 396,000 e-titles in 2025, which enhances land titles nationwide and directly impacts farmers in regions like Cagayan through enhanced tenure security and agricultural financing access. 

3. Legal Aid and Farmer Rights Protection Initiatives

In August 2025, DAR launched the “Abogado ti Mannalon” legal aid program in Cagayan Valley, including Cagayan province. The initiative:

• Provides free legal assistance to farmers for civil, criminal, and administrative cases related to agrarian reform, land disputes, tenancy issues, and other legal needs.

• It is executed through interagency cooperation with the Department of Justice, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Public Attorney’s Office, and young lawyer groups to broaden legal support coverage for rural communities.

• Aims to promote justice and legal empowerment for farmers beyond production assistance. 

This program highlights 2025’s focus on strengthening agrarian rights as a complement to titling and support services.

4. Institutional Strengthening: ARBO Cooperative Registration

Government efforts in 2025 also emphasized institutional capacity building:

• The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and DAR partnership facilitated the registration of 84 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) as cooperatives.

• This cooperative registration drive empowers ARBs to operate as formal farm enterprises with improved access to credit, markets, and capacity building, aligning with national agrarian reform goals. 

5. National Context: Broader Agrarian Reform Targets and Support

The 2025 agrarian reform landscape in the Philippines — including in Cagayan — occurred within a larger national framework:

• The DAR set an ambitious target to distribute between 300,000 and 400,000 land titles nationwide in 2025 to accelerate agrarian justice. 

• At the national level, approximately 11,000 farmers in Cagayan Valley and Bicol received land rights and support services, underscoring coordinated national efforts to expand land tenure security. 

• DAR continues interagency collaboration efforts to enhance rural support and governance frameworks. 

SUMMARY:
Key developments in Cagayan and the region reveal a multi-faceted agrarian reform agenda focused on:

• Expanding land ownership security through CLOAs and e-titles.

• Distributing farm machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs to improve productivity.

• Implementing legal aid and complaint support to protect farmers’ rights.

• Strengthening farmer organizations and cooperatives for economic resilience.

• Contributing to national agrarian reform targets set by DAR with government support.

These actions in 2025 represent substantive progress toward longer-term agrarian justice, rural development, and improved agricultural competitiveness for farmers in Cagayan province.

Cagayan ARBO joins 18th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC)

Bacolod City - San Mariano Agrarian Reform Cooperative, an Agrarian Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) from Lallo, Cagayan, along with other researchers, academic institutions, organic practitioners, and advocates from Cagayan province, participated in the 18th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) in Bacolod City, strengthening their role in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices in the Philippines.

The annual congress, hosted by the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) and supported by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), brought together farmers, practitioners, advocates, and policymakers to highlight successful organic production models, new technologies, and market opportunities.

This year’s theme focused on “Organic Agriculture: Strengthening Communities for a Sustainable Future”—a direction strongly aligned with ARBOs’ ongoing efforts to improve farm productivity, reduce input costs, and promote healthier, chemical-free produce.

Primary Activities are: (1) Call for Papers: An invitation for researchers, institutions, organic practitioners, and advocates to submit papers and showcase their work; (2) Presentations: A venue for sharing research findings and innovations in organic agriculture; (3) Networking: An opportunity for participants to connect with industry leaders and other stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector; and (4) Related Events: The congress is part of a larger Organic Agriculture Month celebration that includes the 18th Negros Island Organic Farmers' Festival (November 19-23) and Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (November 19-23).

Many groups also participated in technical sessions on organic certification, regenerative agriculture, composting systems, and enterprise development.

According to DAR provincial representatives, the participation of ARBOs in the congress reflects the agency’s commitment to helping organized farmers compete in premium markets. “Organic agriculture is not only good for the soil—it is good for the farmers’ livelihood. ARBOs are at the forefront of transforming rural food systems,” one official said.

The ARBO delegates also joined business-matching sessions, where they explored partnerships with organic processors, community-supported agriculture (CSA) organizations, and local government units seeking sustainable suppliers.

With rising consumer demand for safe and sustainably grown food, ARBOs aim to strengthen their production systems and tap broader domestic and export markets in the coming year.

The 18th NOAC once again positioned Bacolod as a hub of Philippine organic agriculture—bringing together farmer-leaders, experts, and ARBOs working toward a greener, healthier, and more inclusive agricultural future.

Photos: Ricky Cabanero

Demolish and Rebuild: Climate-Proofing Our Houses

As the Philippines faces the growing impact of climate change, from stronger typhoons to rising temperatures and floods, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: our homes, many of which were built decades ago, are no longer built for the climate we live in today. The call to demolish and rebuild is not simply about modernization. It is about climate-proofing our houses—ensuring safety, sustainability, and resilience for the years ahead.

The Problem: Old Homes in a New Climate

Many Filipino homes, particularly in rural and coastal areas, were built using materials and designs suited to the past climate. Wooden walls, galvanized iron sheets, and light concrete may have been sufficient for the storms of the 1980s and 1990s, but not for the supertyphoons and heatwaves we face today. Typhoon Odette, Yolanda, and Ulysses revealed how vulnerable traditional structures are: thousands of homes were swept away, leaving communities to rebuild—again and again.

Climate-Proofing: Building with the Future in Mind

Climate-proof housing means constructing homes that can withstand stronger winds, heavier rainfall, longer droughts, and rising heat. It begins with three essential principles:

1. Stronger Foundations and Materials
   

   Use reinforced concrete, elevated flooring, and wind-resistant roofing systems. Materials like fiber cement boards, treated bamboo, or interlocking concrete blocks provide both strength and sustainability.

2. Smarter Design and Orientation
   

   A climate-resilient house is not just stronger—it’s smarter. Proper ventilation reduces indoor heat. Wide eaves and green roofs provide shade. Elevated living areas protect against floods. Locating homes away from known hazard zones, whenever possible, also saves lives.

3. Sustainable Energy and Water Systems
   

   Solar panels, rainwater catchments, and gray-water recycling systems are not luxuries—they are long-term investments. These reduce utility costs and ensure access to energy and water even when disasters strike.

The Role of Communities and Government

Rebuilding climate-proof communities requires more than individual effort. Local governments and housing authorities must set and enforce climate-resilient building codes. Programs like the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) Resilient Housing Program and other housing support projects can help rural communities transition to stronger, safer homes.

Community-driven rebuilding also ensures that designs reflect local culture and needs. In Cagayan, for example, post-flood recovery programs have started incorporating elevated stilt houses using local materials, merging tradition with innovation.

Demolish to Rebuild Better

“Demolish and rebuild” may sound drastic—but in many cases, patching and reinforcing old, unsafe homes is more expensive and less effective than starting anew. Rebuilding offers a chance to break the cycle of destruction and repair that drains families and local economies every time a storm hits.

This is not about erasing our old homes’ memories—it’s about protecting the generations that will live in them next.

The Future of Shelter

Climate-proofing our houses is both an environmental and a moral imperative. Every typhoon and flood that passes is a reminder that resilience begins at home. Demolishing unsafe structures and rebuilding with strength, sustainability, and foresight is the foundation of a safer, climate-ready Philippines.

When we rebuild today, let us build not just for ourselves—but for the climate of tomorrow.

Why Typhoon Uwan (Typhoon Fung-Wong) caused floods in Cagayan province

Photo: Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

Where did the floodwaters in Cagayan Province came from during Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Typhoon Fung‑Wong) — and why they surged so badly:

Key sources of flooding

1. Heavy rainfall from the typhoon

   • The typhoon brought “intense to torrential rains” across northern Luzon including Cagayan Valley. 

   • The rainfall overloaded many rivers and tributaries feeding into the main river systems in the region.

   • For example: “In Cagayan … a flash flood in neighbouring Apayao province had caused the Chico River to burst its banks, sending nearby residents scrambling for higher ground.” 

2. Overflowing major river system — the Cagayan River

   • Much of the water ended up flowing into the Cagayan River, which runs through Cagayan Province. That river and its many tributaries form a major drainage network for the region. 

   • The valley is structurally predisposed to flooding: for example, the river channel narrows in certain stretches (e.g., the “Magapit Narrows”), slowing outflow and causing water to back up. 

   • As reported: “More than 5,000 people were safely evacuated before the overflowing Cagayan River buried the small city of Tuguegarao about 30 kilometres away.” 

3. Tributary catchment from surrounding mountains & upstream basins

   • Heavy rainfall in the mountain ranges around the valley causes large volumes of water (and sediment) to rush downstream into the plain. One scientist said:

     “The province serves as a catch basin of water from surrounding mountain ranges… both water and sediments from the mountains cause the rivers to overflow.”

   • Thus, even if the rainfall in the immediate lowland area is not extreme, upstream rainfall can lead to big downstream floods.

4. Dam operations and reservoir releases (context from prior events)

   • Although I did not find definitive current public reports linking a large dam release to the flooding during Uwan in Cagayan Province, historical cases show this factor has mattered in this region. For example, during Typhoon Ulysses in 2020 the Magat Dam in Isabela Province was releasing water, which then contributed to downstream flooding in Cagayan Province. 

   • For the current typhoon Uwan, the report from Nov 10, 2025 says: “In Cagayan, … a flash flood in neighbouring Apayao province had caused the Chico River to burst its banks.” 

   • So, while dam release could be a factor, the major proximate cause appears to be heavy rainfall and river/tributary overflow.

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Why the flooding was so severe in that area

• The Cagayan Valley is naturally flood-prone: large catchment area, many tributaries, gentle slope in the floodplain, bottlenecks in river channel, and sedimentation reducing capacity. 

• The heavy rainfall arrived when upstream and tributary systems were likely already saturated, so the added inflow had less ability to be absorbed or delayed.

• River channel constraints (narrow sections) slow down drainage, causing water to back up and flood adjacent lowlands.

• Low-lying areas around rivers like the Cagayan, Chico and others are at immediate risk when those rivers overflow.

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In short

The floodwaters in Cagayan came primarily from intense rainfall over the region (including upstream mountain and tributary systems) plus overflow of rivers (especially the Cagayan River system) that drained all that water into the province’s lowland areas. Structural and geographic factors (narrow channels, sedimentation, many tributaries) made the flooding worse.