By Christian Allister G. Tubadeza   SAN JUAN, Abra, Philippines  (PIA) — A local fisherfolk organization here was able to put up an Agri-Fishery and General Merchandise Stall using income earned from farming and marketing their tilapia harvests. In 2003, the group initially received tilapia fingerlings and feeds from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program in 2003 as capital. Through hard work and cooperation, the Ganagan Fisherfolk Association (GFA) generated around P300,000 in assets, including their small agri-supply business located in Barangay Poblacion. GFA President Marnel Masaoay shared that their marketing strategy for their tilapia harvest helped them to profit. “Tinnulong laeng ti inubra mi. Gaputa amin a miembro ken naikkan ti fingerlings ti BFAR, nu adda agapit, tulongan mi nga agilako ket sikami tu supplier toy San Juan ti presko a tilapia ken agilaklako kami nu adda ti kadiwa ditoy San Juan ta nalaklaka ti presyo na ti tilapia mi,” he explained. (We help each other. Each of the members was given fingerlings, and if someone harvests the tilapia, we market them together. We supply residents of San Juan with fresh tilapia. Also, we market with Kadiwa, where people come to buy at a more affordable price.) Masaoay also shared that the members agreed to start a small business using their earnings. He said they used their own money to pay the initial rent of their commercial space as support for their association’s capital. “Idi adda naurnong mi nga puonanen, nagnunumoanan mi nga agbirok kamin ti pwesto tapnu marugyanen toy negosyo mi ket tatta nag-share kami ti bukodmi a kuarta para daytoy bayad ti puesto tapnu pangrurugian,” he shared. [After we earned an amount for the capital, we agreed to look for a commercial space so we can start a business, and we also shared the rent cost initially using our own money to support our association.] Masaoay recognized the benefits of BFAR’s SAAD program, which helped them financially support their families. “Kaaduan kaniami a miembro ken low-income earners diay dadduma met ket 4Ps members. Dakkel ti tulong na daytoy ta adda la maited mi nga allowance dagiti ubbing mi nga agbasbasa. Isu nga pagyamanan mi ti BFAR ta sikami ti napagasatan a napili ditoy San Juan,” he shared. [Most of us are low-income earners, and some of us are members of 4Ps. This helped us a lot because it supported the allowances of our children who are studying, so we thank BFAR for choosing us.] Meanwhile, GFA member Mar June Isao affirmed that joining an income-generating association provides financial support for his family. “Matultulongan mi met ti pamilia mi ta saan lang met nga sikami nga miembro ti ag-benefit. Isu nga mayat met ti sumali kami ti kastoy nga association ta napia la adda pagbiaganmi,” Isao said. (Not only are the members benefiting from this endeavor. We are also supporting our family financially. So, it is good to join an association for an extra income.) Aside from fishery supplies and inputs, the GFA also received various capacity-building trainings from BFAR that will enable them to become a self-sustaining enterprise by 2028. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)

By PIA-CAR   LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines (PIA) — Farmers, local leaders and agricultural stakeholders across the region celebrated the 10th founding anniversary of the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad on May 15, 2026. Guided by the theme “Better, Together,” the gathering spurred discussions on the development of the BAPTC as a major hub for the trade of highland vegetables, and on the Cordillera agricultural industry. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro, representing Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., noted how BAPTC has become one of the prime agricultural trading centers in the region. He shared that BAPTC was originally conceptualized to serve only the province of Benguet but has significantly expanded over the last ten years, and is now serving  farming communities in Mountain Province and Ifugao. He emphasized how progress is achieved with continuing unity and partnership among all stakeholders, particularly the farmers, porters, packers, and government units. Situated in a four-hectare lot at the Strawberry Fields in Barangay Betag owned by the Benguet State University, BAPTC maintains cold and dry storage components as well as packaging and processing facilities. The bulk of the vegetables traded in BAPTC are sold in Metro Manila markets. Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas acknowledged the annual cycle of challenges hitting the agricultural sector, particularly unstable pricing for major crops like cabbage. Despite these hurdles, he praised the hard work and resilience of the local community. “We always experience this. Adda met dytoy nga mang mangyari but the resilience of the people, the people of our region, mabibyag tayo latta ta nagaget tayo nga ag trabaho” Diclas said. The official also urged stakeholders to formulate sustainable solutions to this persisting unstable pricing. “Magkaisa ulit tayo, pag-isipan natin ulit kung anong gagawin natin para hindi dumating ‘yung panahon na matagal ‘yung bagsak no’ng repolyo o kaya mga vegetable natin,” he said. Mankayan Mayor Cesar Pasiwen shared a market vision for Cordillera. He strongly advocated for halting vegetable importations from other countries, aiming instead for the region to become a major global exporter, particularly to the Middle East. “Nakita naman natin na ‘yung Middle East na pinanggagalingan ng oil natin ay desert, awan met pag mulaan da iti nateng. Ang dream sana natin, ‘yung repolyo natin, ‘yung umbok natin makarating sa Middle East,” the mayor said. Pasiwen also challenged the community to collaborate, “Agtintinulong tayo iti pagsyaatan ti vegetable industry tayo.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the BAPTC on April 17, 2026, to personally see the situation in the trading center amid the drop in prices of vegetables and the slowed-down transport of vegetable produce to the market due to the effects of the conflict in the Middle East. The Office of the President also bought around 20 tons of vegetables from the farmers. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR w/ UC intern Lyka Shane Corpuz)