DA-7 marks 128th year, highlights region’s gains

CEBU, Philippines — In its 128th year anniversary, the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) highlighted the region’s continuing gains in food security, agricultural production, and sustainable farming.

During the celebration, DA-7 also recognized outstanding local government units (LGUs), partner agencies, private organizations, farmers, fisherfolk, and media partners.

The celebration, which featured the Partners Pasasalamat, emphasized that the continued growth of the agriculture sector is the result of collaboration among government agencies, local governments, researchers, agricultural extension workers, farmers, and the private sector.

In his keynote message, DA-7 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez underscored the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security, saying the sector is driven not only by crops and livestock but by the people who work tirelessly to feed the nation.

He said farmers, extension workers, municipal agriculturists, professors, researchers, and DA personnel all play vital roles in strengthening the country’s food system.

The regional director likewise praised Cebu’s provincial leaders for supporting agricultural development.

He credited former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for initiating the P20-per-kilo rice program in partnership with Food Terminal Incorporated, noting that subsidized rice continues to be distributed through DA offices and participating LGUs.

Enriquez also thanked Governor Pamela Baricuatro for sustaining agricultural programs initiated by the previous administration, particularly corn demonstration farms in northern Cebu that encourage farmers to diversify from sugar farming.

He added that the continuity of these initiatives reflects the province’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity and food security.

He then challenged municipal agriculturists to aim for national recognition following Region 7’s recent achievements and cited Tuburan, Cebu, as an example of successful agricultural branding through its locally produced Tuburan Coffee.

DA-7 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Wilberto Castillo recognized the contributions of farmers, among other sectors, noting that every successful agricultural program undergoes careful planning, consultations, procurement, implementation, and monitoring before reaching farming communities.

Regional Development Council-7 Co-chairperson Melanie Ng also reaffirmed the council’s full support for DA-7’s food security initiatives.

She described food security as one of the region’s top priorities, particularly amid inflation, and stressed that stronger collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders is essential.

One of the major awardees during the celebration was the Municipality of Tuburan, which received multiple recognitions for its sustained commitment to agricultural development.

Among its awards were the Outstanding Partner LGU, Top 1 Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Development Plan (MAFDP) in the Province of Cebu, and the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Awards for Tuburan Coffee and Marketing.

Former Tuburan Mayor Aljun Diamante, founder of Cebu’s homegrown Tuburan Coffee brand, delivered his message through Municipal Agriculturist Kent Marcial Catubis.

Diamante said the awards are an affirmation of the municipality’s long-term commitment to agriculture and credited the continuity of programs from his administration to the present leadership of Mayor Christian Daniel B. Diamante.

Looking ahead, he said the recognitions would further inspire Tuburan’s vision of becoming a fully sustainable and organic municipality.

Diamante also welcomed the recognition of the Tuburan Coffee Technical and Marketing Corporation as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) promoter through its Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards-certified coffee farm.

He said the recognition validates the municipality’s vision of producing premium-quality coffee through environmentally sustainable farming practices.

“When we envisioned Tuburan as a premier coffee destination, we didn’t just want to produce coffee, we wanted to produce it with excellence, environmental safety, and global standards in mind,” he said.He thanked DA-7 for its continued technical and financial assistance, saying the partnership has helped strengthen Tuburan’s agricultural sector and improve the lives of its farming communities. (CEBU NEWS)