The City Agriculture Office, in partnership with the City Agriculture and Fishery Council (CAFC), celebrated its 22nd Congress on September 3, 2024, at the Kaamulan Folk Arts Theatre, Malaybalay City. The theme for this year’s event was “Transformational Leadership for Rural-Based Organizations: The Key to Achieving the City’s Agri-Eco Tourism Economy.” This annual event honors and recognizes the efforts and valuable contributions of the city’s farmers and fisherfolk.

Tapok Mag-uuma 2024 commenced with a grand entourage and was attended by 422 participants, including keynote and guest speakers, representatives from various line agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC), Provincial Operations Center (POC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Food Authority (NFA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), and TESDA. Also present are city officials, department heads, barangay officials, Barangay Agricultural and Fishery Council (BAFC) members, CAFC officers, various federations and associations, and City Agriculture Office (CAgO) personnel.

During the program, City Agriculturist Engr. Richard B. Leono welcomed the distinguished guests and thanked them for their support. He highlighted that through their collaboration, CAgO had achieved 75.86% of its annual target for programs, projects, and activities as of August 2024, which includes initiatives related to rice, corn, high-value commercial crops, organic farming, inland fisheries, laboratories, and organizational strengthening.

Following the welcome message, CAFC Chairperson Leonard O. Leyros provided updates on the 20th AFC Congress Resolutions (CY 2022-2023). Nine resolutions have been approved and are now being implemented. He also presented 13 new resolutions for 2024 to the City Mayor and the Department of Agriculture.

The congress featured guest speakers such as Hon. Choi Ji Won, a 26-year-old City Councilor from South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and Dr. Kim Gilwon, CEO of the Korea Carbon Farming Institute, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju City.

Hon. Choi discussed transformational leadership, relating it to the congress theme. He described transformational leaders as those who inspire and stimulate their followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes while developing their leadership capacity. He highlighted Jinju City’s initiatives, such as exporting golden thread strawberries, pears, and hot peppers—key ingredients in McDonald’s Korea.

These successes were driven by supporting rural-based organizations to grow these crops for export, which has spurred agricultural innovation through local research centers and universities. He recommended that similar efforts be made to cultivate cash crops suited to Malaybalay City’s specific conditions.

While, Dr. Kim shared insights into South Korea’s history and culture and reflected on a previous visit to Malaybalay during the 1st Abaca Summit and the 146th Araw ng Malaybalay. His focus was on Carbon Farming, which involves producing carbon stocks to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from arable land. He also discussed potential sources of carbon for Malaybalay, such as rice paddies and afforestation.

The keynote speaker, Engr. Roger V. Navarro, DA Undersecretary for Operations, expressed concern about agricultural machinery for mechanization programs. He hoped that a coffee factory would soon be established in Bukidnon to produce both pure and 3-in-1 coffee, noting that the Arabica variety is well-suited in Malaybalay. He also shared that 80% of the resolutions presented by CAFC were considered approved and encouraged participants to think big to enhance their welfare.

City Mayor Atty. Jay Warren R. Pabillaran remarked that the resolutions presented by CAFC Leyros were timely as the City Government of Malaybalay (CGM) is preparing the 2025 budget. He expressed gratitude to the city’s farmers for their encouragement and support of the agriculture sector.

DA Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan reiterated DA’s commitment to supporting farmers through various programs and projects, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
Vice Mayor Estelito R. Marabe, RAFC Chairperson Nelda B. Salas, and Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon congratulated Malaybalay City on its 22nd AFC Congress. Ms. Salas and Ms. Lagamon expressed hopes of facilitating similar events at the provincial and regional levels.

After the guest speeches, Mayor Pabillaran administered the oath of office to the officers of the Barangay Kagawad Committee on Agriculture Association.

Councilor Committee on Agriculture Alan Ryann O. Legaspi concluded the first part of the program, reporting that his committee had approved 7 ordinances and 33 resolutions.

In the afternoon, fourteen outstanding farmers and agripreneurs, two CMU agriculture students who graduated cum laude, and twenty-six performing rural-based organizations were honored with plaques and certificates of appreciation and recognition from CAgO.

The event also featured winners of the simultaneous contests for 4H and RIC Achievement Day. For the 4H contests, winners included Mr. Clarence Edgar Gamalo of Barangay Managok for poster making, Kennie P. Pamisaran of Barangay Simaya for the dish garden contest, and Mr. Nestor Semortin of Barangay Miglamin for project achievements presentation.

In the RIC contests, winners were Ms. Gina Lungay of Barangay 10 for the cooking contest, Ms. Delia Lizada and her team for the dish garden, and Ms. Luzviminda Flor of Barangay Aglayan for the accomplishment video presentation.

Success stories were shared by Mr. Edsel James R. Quemado Jr. of Mushroom City, Kalasungay, Ms. Anna Paula S. Chiong of Paula’s Bukidnon Delights, and the Malaybalay City Corn Growers Association, represented by Mr. Celso P. Barberan. They spoke about their perseverance and achievements.

The event concluded with the Search for Ms. 4H 2024 and Ginang RIC 2024. Ms. Carmela Delos Reyes of Barangay Managok was crowned Ms. 4H 2024, and Ms. Jovy Mae Mancao Lava of Barangay Apo Macote won Ginang RIC 2024. The congress ended with the 4H Youth Club Candle Lighting Ceremony, a powerful symbol of the youth’s collective hopes and ambitions for a brighter future.

by: GECEL Q. OCON, City Agri-NADA