CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — Farmers in this city will directly supply rice for a local food assistance program after the cooperative secured a PhP12.99-million contract through the Sagip Saka Act.
The contract was awarded to the Avanceña Beneficiaries and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative following the issuance of a Notice of Award under Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act.
Atty. Joycel R. Panlilio, the DA Assistant Secretary for High Value Crops, Sagip Saka Act and Intellectual Property, explained that the law enables national government agencies and local government units to directly purchase agricultural and fishery products from accredited farmers’ cooperatives and enterprises. This creates market opportunities for local producers while supporting rural livelihoods.
According to Sharen T. Rivas, focal person of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Agusan Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS), the cooperative’s participation in government procurement was made possible through years of organizational strengthening and market linkage support.
“Farmers and the cooperative are gaining confidence because of these interventions. The local government unit itself negotiated with the cooperative to serve as supplier, which shows trust in their capability,” Rivas said.
Through the RiceBIS project, the cooperative received assistance in supply consolidation, logistics coordination, standardized 10-kg rice packaging, and preparation of documentary requirements needed for government procurement transactions.
The group was also supported in strengthening its market linkage initiatives and in pursuing Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification.
A portion of PhilGAP-certified GAPproved rice is also expected to be included in the city government’s procurement.
Rivas said the development shows how the Sagip Saka Act can help organized farmer groups participate in large-scale government procurement while contributing to local food security and improved farmer income.
