BAGUIO CITY – In recognition of their outstanding contribution to the prosperity of the Cordillera’s agriculture, 12 Gawad Saka regional achievers comprised of farmer individuals, groups, agricultural and fishery councils, and urban and peri-urban gardens were given a well-deserved tribute by the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) during the culmination of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month today, May 29, 2025 in Baguio City.
The regional achievers are: Ms. Sunshine Genevieve Sacki-Molintas (Tabuk, Kalinga) – Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer – Plantation Crops Category; Mr. Rey C. Duldulao (Luna, Apayao) – Outstanding Small Animal Raiser Adopting Integrated Farming System; Dome Garden (Itogon, Benguet) – Best Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture – Microgarden Category; Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) – Benguet – Outstanding PAFC; Municipal AFC – Itogon – Outstanding MAFC; Farah May Pantoloc (Tabuk City, Kalinga) – Outstanding Young Farmer; Vitagreen Rural Improvement Club (Tabuk City, Kalinga) – Outstanding RIC; Romeo Kimbungan (Tuba, Benguet) – Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur; Fidelia Dominguez-Alipio – Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; Engr. Domingo Bernardo Bakilan (Tabuk, Kalinga) – Outstanding Agricultural Extension Manager 11. Atok GAP Practitioners Association (Atok, Benguet) – Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer – Cluster Category 12. Fit and Fab Farm (Lucnab, Baguio City) – Search for Best Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Garden – Macrogarden Category.
The achievers represented the region to the 50th Gawad Saka awards of the DA, where they competed with other farmers and fisherfolk from other regions under 9 categories and 47 sub-categories.
Additionally, Sacki-Molintas, Duldulao, Dome Garden, and PAFC-Benguet are almost at the finish line after qualifying as national finalists.
In his acceptance speech, PAFC Benguet Chairperson Gerson Domoguen underscored the vital role of AFCs in bridging the gap between government initiatives and the necessities of farmers and fisherfolk, providing insights, recommendations, and grassroots perspectives to ensure that policies and programs are truly beneficial to those working in the field. He also noted that agriculture and fisheries are not just a job, but a way of life.
“Ang agrikultura at pangisdaan ay hindi lang hanapbuhay ito ay ating pamumuhay, ating tradisyon, at ating pag-asa para sa kinabukasan. Bawat binhi na ating itinatanim, bawat ani na ating kinokolekta, at bawat isda na ating hinuhuli ay sumasalamin sa dedikasyon at tiyaga ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi lamang tayo nagpaparami ng pagkain; tayo rin ay nagpapalakas ng mga pamilya, nagsusustento ng kabuhayan, nagpapatibay ng mga komunidad, at humuhubog ng kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon,” Domoguen said.
The Gawad Saka is the highest accolade awarded by the agency to agricultural stakeholders in honor and recognition of their invaluable and unwavering dedication that is geared towards agricultural development and food security. The 50th Gawad Saka is the continuation of the annual awarding after it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By Cy-j E. Waytan
