The Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) in CALABARZON do more than just manage farming and fishing concerns. They are key players in the broader spectrum of community development, enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and fishers while fostering sustainable agricultural practices, infrastructure improvement, and policy advocacy. These councils, composed of farmers, fishers, and other stakeholders, serve as vital links between the private agricultural sector and the government.

In this Lakbay Panayam special feature of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Roel Fabillan, Demosthenes Hernandez, Arnel Curioso, and Loreto Basit of CALABARZON show how the AFCs are not only addressing the immediate needs of their constituencies but also laying the groundwork for long-term progress in the agriculture and fisheries sector.

Building Strong Partnerships for Development

A common thread running through the work of these AFC leaders is the importance of forging strong partnerships, especially with their respective local government units (LGUs).

Roel Fabillan, Chairperson of the Laguna Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC), underscores the importance of maintaining a collaborative relationship with the office of the Local Chief Executive (LCE). Originally from Pila, Laguna, where he previously served as the Municipal AFC (MAFC) Chairperson, Fabillan shared how the office of the LCE provides crucial resources to farmers such as organic fertilizers and fuel subsidies for irrigation facilities. 

“Sa amin sa Pila, nagbibigay ng pondo si Mayor para tulungan ang farmers. Kahit hindi kami humingi ng tulong, very supportive siya,” he said. (In Pila, our Mayor allocates funds to help the farmers. Even if we do not seek help, he is very supportive of our efforts.)

Through a PAFC resolution, Fabillan also successfully secured an additional honorarium for the travel allowance of the members. The AFCs were included in a Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution that entitles local volunteers to a monthly honorarium of P1,500. When Fabillan assumed the position, the members received P500 per month, which was increased to P1,000 in 2023, and then finally to P1,500 in 2024.

Similarly, Loreto Basit, Chairperson of the Sariaya MAFC in Quezon, worked to gain the support of their LGU. This ensures that even with the limited funding from PCAF, the Council receives financial backing for its activities, such as Php5,000 monthly for meetings and an honorarium for his leadership. 

Basit, who has won the Outstanding Large Animal Raiser Award in the 2017-2018 Gawad Saka, has been with the AFC since it first started in 1987 and was reorganized in 2016. His efforts highlight the critical role that local leadership plays in ensuring that AFCs can function effectively, even in resource-challenged environments.

Advocating for Policy Change

Aside from being the voice of farmers and fishers, the most important function of the AFCs lies in advocating for policy changes that benefit the local agricultural and fishery industries. Arnel Curioso, a former overseas Filipino worker now serving as the MAFC Chairperson of Liliw, Laguna, recognized the crucial role AFCs play in transforming agricultural enterprises. 

Originally from Lopez, Quezon, Curioso moved to Liliw, Laguna after marrying his wife. It was in this vibrant town that he began his agricultural journey, following six years of working abroad. His passion for agriculture during the pandemic soon led him to the AFC.

In the third quarter of 2024, Curioso spearheaded the passage of a policy resolution that called for the creation of a Lambanog Board Council. This initiative seeks to ensure the safety and quality of lambanog products—a local alcoholic beverage made from coconut sap—and enhance the local and international competitiveness of the industry.

As the Regional AFC (RAFC) Sectoral Committee on Coconut Representative, Curioso’s future plans involve advocating for the establishment of a coconut hub. This proposed hub would offer farmers a one-stop shop for processing their products and gaining direct access to markets, offering better prices for both producers and consumers.

Likewise, Demosthenes Hernandez, the Chairperson of the Quezon Provincial AFC, has taken decisive action in creating resolutions that safeguard both the environment and local industries. With the support of the local government unit (LGU), his push for the construction of artificial coral reefs as fish habitats and his resolution calling for the enforcement of fish size limits were successfully implemented, leading to more sustainable fishing practices in the region. 

At 78 years old and a recipient of the 2019 Outstanding MAFC Chairperson Award, Hernandez’s policy work demonstrates the significant impact AFCs can have on local governance, helping to create an environment supportive of both ecological balance and economic viability.

Education and Skill Development

Leadership in the CALABARZON AFCs goes beyond policy and advocacy—it also builds the capacity of individuals and communities. Fabillan, for instance, organized training programs on parliamentary procedures and leadership development for AFC members to enhance their ability to perform their duties effectively. 

With the assistance of Laguna PAFC Coordinator Maria Remedios Vilador in securing LGU funding, Fabillan reached out to PCAF for the conduct of training on Parliamentary Procedures and Policy Resolution Writing. CALABARZON Region-based Coordinator Pebbles Dominique Sales and former PCAF-Partnership Development Division Development Management Officer II Ace Espinola served as resource persons in the essential training that enhanced the professionalism and effectiveness of the councils.

Curioso, a certified trainer with the Agricultural Training Institute and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), strongly believes in the power of agricultural education to uplift farmers’ livelihoods. By promoting and providing training on agricultural mechanization, he is confident that a modernized local agricultural sector is sustainable and more profitable, reducing post-harvest losses and improving productivity.

Resource Optimization and Community Engagement

Effective resource management is another hallmark of the CALABARZON AFCs’ success. Basit’s proposal to build a multipurpose hall next to the fish landing facility in Brgy. Castañas provided the AFCs with a dedicated space for meetings and other activities. The request was granted by the Municipality of Sariaya, Quezon.

Hernandez, on the other hand, demonstrated exceptional resourcefulness when he successfully secured a recirculating dryer for the rice farmers of Atimonan, Quezon. This machinery, funded through the DA’s Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, is available as a self-service resource for all farmers in the area, allowing them to process their rice and improve both quality and efficiency. Hernandez requested the postharvest machinery in his capacity as a member of the Atimonan Rice Growers Federation, which is also represented at the MAFC level. 

As a member of many organizations, Hernandez was also able to leverage other postharvest machinery for local farmers including a coconut shredding machine and financial grants for agri-fishery projects such as the organic stingless beekeeping project.

The spirit of community engagement also shines through in their practices. Curioso and his MAFC members participate in local festivities by donating fresh produce, such as rice, coconut, and vegetables, as a way of giving back to the community. This practice strengthens ties with the local population as well as promotes a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility for the region’s agricultural development.

“Bilib kami rito kay Arnel, kasi kung sino pa ang hindi nagmula rito, siya pa ang isa sa mga unang tumutulong,” said Liliw, Laguna Mayor Ildefonso Monleon.

The efforts of the AFC leaders in CALABARZON transcend traditional farming concerns. Through strong partnerships, policy advocacy, education, resource optimization, and community engagement, they are cultivating a more sustainable and equitable agricultural and fishery sector. The works of Roel Fabillan, Arnel Curioso, Demosthenes Hernandez, and Loreto Basit exemplify how AFCs play a vital role in community development, ensuring that agriculture and fisheries are not just about farming but are integral components of broader economic, social, and environmental progress. These leaders are transforming their communities, proving that the road to a thriving, sustainable future extends beyond the farm. | Joy Camille Luza