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The pillars of volunteerism from the NSCs and AFCs are also recognized for their untiring commitment and dedication in serving their fellow farmers and fishermen. A certificate with a token of appreciation is awarded by DA Undersecretary for Administration Allan Umali and PCAF OIC-Executive Director Julieta Opulencia.

Almost 500 volunteer partners from the National Sectoral Committees (NSCs) and Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), together with Department of Agriculture (DA) officials, staff, and representatives from various Local Government Units, convened in Cebu City on December 3, 2024, for the 10th National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day (NVD) awarding ceremony.

Executive Director Opulencia and Usec. Umali take the centerstage for the 1st batch of awardees under the special recognition category.

Anchored on the theme “Celebrating a decade of volunteer recognition in the agriculture and fishery sector,” the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), in partnership with the DA Regional Field Office (RFO) Central Visayas, led the celebration to recognize the valuable contributions of the agency’s private sector partners from the NSCs and the AFCs in the regional, provincial, city, and municipal levels.

“Sa loob ng sampung taon, ang ating pagdiriwang ay naging isang tradisyon, isang pagkakataon upang ipagmalaki ang mga nagawa ng a ting mga bayani sa kabukiran at karagatan,” shared by PCAF OIC-Executive Director Julieta Opulencia during her welcome message.

“This milestone marks a very special moment in the journey of the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector, and it is with great pride and gratitude that we gather here to reflect on the tremendous impact of your dedication that have tirelessly worked to uplift our communities, our industries, and our nation,” she added.

Fireside Chat with the private sector stakeholder is one of the activities of the 10th NDV. Photo above shows PCAF Monitoring and Evaluation Section Staff Filadelfo Diaz V and Cagayan Valley Regional Coordinator Tricia Cabaddu interview Mr. Raul Montemayor of the NSC on Rice.

On behalf of the DA RFO Central Visayas, Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez warmly welcomed the guests and participants to Cebu City. She reiterated, “The theme of this celebration underscores how our collective efforts have made a remarkable difference in achieving the DA’s vision for a prosperous and sustainable future.”

Meanwhile, DA Undersecretary for Administration Allan Umali, representing Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. expressed his gratitude towards the members of PCAF’s consultative bodies from the national to local levels for fostering transparency and promoting good governance in collaborating with the department’s priority thrust, programs, projects, and activities.

In his message, as conveyed by Usec. Umali, Sec. Tiu-Laurel Jr. congratulated the dedicated volunteers, emphasizing that “these national awards stand as a testament to your invaluable contributions to the development of Philippine agriculture. Your collective determination and leadership continue to inspire us, and together, we can achieve our ultimate goal.”

Usec. Umali (extreme right) and OIC-ED Opulencia (extreme left) pose for a photo with the National Board of Judges: (from left to right) Mr. Romeo Recide, Dr. Ma. Luz Enriquez, Ms. Elsa Bayani, and Prof. Simeon Ilago.

Below are the complete list of recipients and winners across all award categories:

  1. Committee/Council Award
Award Category Rank Awardee
Outstanding NSC 1st NSC on Fisheries and Aquaculture
2nd NSC on Poultry and Livestock
3rd NSC on Corn and Feed Crops
Outstanding Executive Committee – RAFC Level 1st RAFC Bicol
2nd RAFC CARAGA
3rd RAFC Cagayan Valley
Outstanding Executive Committee – PAFC/HUCAFC/ICCAFC Level 1st PAFC Misamis Oriental
2nd PAFC Nueva Ecija
3rd PAFC Albay
Outstanding Executive Committee – MAFC/CAFC Level 1st MAFC Sta. Maria, Bulacan
2nd CAFC Bayawan, Negros Oriental
3rd MAFC Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Outstanding Sectoral Committee

– RAFC Level

 1st RAFC Bicol – Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resources
2nd RAFC Davao – Committee on Coffee
3rd RAFC Bicol – Committee on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
Outstanding Sectoral Committee

– PAFC/HUCAFC/ICCAFC Level

 1st HUCAFC Mandaue City – Committee on Fisheries
2nd ICCAFC Naga City – Committee on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
3rd ICCAFC Naga City – Committee on Corn

 

Winners of Outstanding NSC Committee pose for a photo opportunity with PCAF OIC-DED Soliaban (extreme left), OIC-ED Opulencia and Usec. Umali (center) and PDCD OIC-Chief Sarah Bales (extreme right).

 

2. Individual Award

Award Category Rank Awardee
Outstanding NSC Chairperson 1st Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, NSC on Fruits and Vegetables
2nd Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez, NSC on International Trade
3rd Dr. Arnulfo Frontuna, NSC on Poultry and Livestock
Outstanding RAFC Chairperson 1st Bernadette Delos Santos, RAFC Bicol
2nd Engr. Miguel Pedroso, RAFC Eastern Visayas
3rd Grace Cenas, RAFC Central Visayas
Outstanding PAFC/HUCAFC/ICCAFC Chairperson 1st Rene Delos Reyes, PAFC Albay
2nd Orlando Corpuz, PAFC Nueva Ecija
3rd Arnulfo Magcope, PAFC Aklan
4th Gerson Domoguen, PAFC Benguet
Outstanding MAFC/CAFC Chairperson 1st Preciousa Maturan, CAFC Bayawan, Negros Oriental
2nd Judith Mangalino, MAFC Sipocot, Camarines Sur
3rd Florencia Mendoza, CAFC San Fernando, La Union
Outstanding RAFC Executive Officer 1st Aloha Gigi Bañaria, RAFC Bicol
2nd Doris Joy Garcia, RAFC Ilocos
3rd Dr. Susan Balanza, RAFC CAR
Outstanding RAFC Secretariat-Coordinator 1st Sheila Marie Orpilla, RAFC Cagayan Valley
2nd Liezl Lopez, RAFC Central Visayas
3rd Cecilia Paz Elorde, RAFC Eastern Visayas
Outstanding PAFC/HUCAFC/ICCAFC Secretariat-Coordinator 1st Vic Mae Macavinta-Laurdaus, PAFC Aklan
2nd Jenelle Idica, PAFC Ilocos Sur
3rd Francis Abasola, ICCAFC Naga City
Outstanding MAFC/CAFC Secretariat-Coordinator 1st Adrian Enriquez, CAFC Bayawan, Negros Oriental
2nd Marlou Daliling, MAFC Itogon, Benguet
3rd Juliet Quiatchon, MAFC Sta. Maria, Bulacan

 

3. Special Awards

Award Category Recipient/Awardee
Outstanding Co-Chairperson Cheryll Rebeta, Albay Provincial Agriculturist
Policy Advocacy Award (AFC) Grace Cenas, RAFC Central Visayas
Policy Advocacy Award (NSC) Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez, NSC on International Trade
Partnership Champion Award (AFC) Christopher Lindo, RAFC CARAGA
Partnership Champion Award (NSC) Hazel Tanchuling, NSC on Rice
Environmental Stewardship Award Roger Garinga, PAFC Palawan
Distinguished Service Award Rodolfo Tamayo, NSC on Agri-Fishery Mechanization
Most Supportive DA Offices DA National Corn Program

DA National Livestock Program
Most Supportive DA RFO DA RFO Bicol Region
Most Supportive PLGUs Provincial LGU of Misamis Oriental

Provincial LGU of Albay
Most Supportive MLGUs Municipal LGU of Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Municipal LGU of Itogon, Benguet
Outstanding Regional Accounting Office 1st – DA RFO Zamboanga Peninsula
2nd – DA RFO Western Visayas
3rd – DA RFO Bicol
Pillars (AFC) Benedicto Palmares, PAFC Camarines Norte

Jaime Go, PAFC Bukidnon

Jaime Balansag, PAFC Misamis Oriental

Rodolfo Abrio, PAFC La Union

Servando Gumabay, PAFC Cagayan

Arturo Baybayan, PAFC Nueva Vizcaya

Roy Moreno, PAFC South Cotabato

Rodrigo España, PAFC Sarangani

Ruperto Hernandez, PAFC Bulacan

Dr. Nellie Ilas, PAFC Cavite

Hercules Bocol, PAFC Davao De Oro

Alberto Sanchez, HUCAFC Angeles City

Eliseo Solajes, HUCAFC Tacloban City

Antonio Cabrera, HUCAFC Butuan City

Dante Tobias, RAFC Cagayan Valley

Epifanio Loyola Jr., RAFC Davao

Onesimo Romano, RAFC Central Luzon

Leonardo Caparida, RAFC Zamboanga Peninsula
Pillars (NSC) Gregorio San Diego, NSC on Poultry and Livestock

Atty. Elias Jose Inciong, NSC on Poultry and Livestock

Rodolfo Tamayo, NSC on Agri-Fishery Mechanization

Romeo Royandoyan, NSC on Climate Change
Certificate of Recognition Engr. Roger Navarro

Engr. Ariodear Rico

 

PCAF OIC-Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban, OIC-ED Opulencia, and DA Assistant Secretary for Logistics Daniel Alfonso Atayde pose with Outstanding RAFC Chairpersons: Grace Cenas of RAFC Central Visayas, Bernadette Delos Santos of RAFC Bicol and Engr. Miguel Pedroso of RAFC Eastern Visayas.

 

Photo opportunity with the Outstanding NSC Chairperson winners (3rd from right) Dr. Arnulfo Frontuna, Virginia Dela Fuente and Dr. Gabriel Romero representing Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez together with PCAF OIC-DED Soliaban, OIC-ED Opulencia, and Asec. Atayde.

“You are more than honorees—you are beacons of light in our communities, demonstrating what it means to lead with heart and purpose. As we honor you, let us also reflect on the wider impact of your actions. Your work sets in motion a wave of hope and inspiration, proving that even the smallest act of kindness can create far-reaching results,” said PCAF OIC-Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban as he addressed the awardees.

“Finally, this special recognition goes to our NVD awardees from the NSCs and the AFCs. This evening belongs to you—a celebration of your achievements, your dedication to collaboration, and your remarkable spirit of volunteerism,” he emphasized.

Asec. Atayde and OIC-ED Opulencia with the winners of Outstanding RAFC Executive Officer: Dr. Susan Balanza of RAFC CAR, Ms. Aloha Gigi Bañaria of RAFC Bicol and Ms. Doris Joy Garcia of RAFC Ilocos.

Immediately after the awarding, OIC DED Soliaban announced that for the next NVD, a Hall of Fame award will be introduced to honor volunteers who have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact over the years.

This year’s NVD marked not only a decade of recognition but also emphasized the importance of continued efforts by stakeholders to strengthen the agriculture and fisheries sector amidst the challenges and uncertainties. | Junry Danila