In the rolling fields of Zamboanga Peninsula, where the sun beats down on corn stalks and vegetable patches alike, three farmer-leaders have spent their lives not only cultivating crops but also nurturing communities.
Their stories, gathered during the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries’ (PCAF) Lakbay Panayam initiative on September 15 to 19, 2025, shine a light on the resilience, sacrifices, and quiet triumphs of volunteers who give their time and energy to the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs). The conversations highlighted the vital role of the AFCs in shaping local agricultural development and empowering farmers.
Among those interviewed were Regional AFC (RAFC) stalwarts; Adelberto Baniqued, RAFC Vice Chairperson who also serves as the Municipal AFC (MAFC) of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur Chairperson; Santiago Arig, Jr., RAFC Sectoral Committee on Corn Chairperson; and Regino Gervacio, Chairperson of MAFC Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and currently the Provincial AFC (PAFC) Chairperson of the High Value Crops Sectoral Committee.
Santiago Arig, Jr.: The corn farmer who believes in organization
At 60 years old, Santiago or “Dodong” as his friends call him, speaks of corn not just as a livelihood but as a way to uplift others. He manages the Dinas Community Multipurpose Cooperative, owning a total of at least 50 hectares of farmland that produces five to six tons of corn per harvest.
Arig’s management led to partnership with San Miguel Corporation in supplying corn and cassava products. This proves that small farmers, when united, can achieve big things.
But for Dodong, farming is more than yields and contracts. It’s about helping fellow farmers find their voice. Through the AFC, he has trained others to organize, to monitor projects, and to push for policies that benefit those in the fields.
His greatest challenge remains to be market access, as he exclaims, “so that farmers can live decently from the sweat of their labor.” His dream is clear, subsidies for seeds and fertilizers so farmers can compete and the cooperatives can give them bargaining power.
Adelberto Baniqued: A lifelong advocate for rice and organic agriculture
In Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, Adelberto Baniqued, a 78-year-old agriculture graduate has dedicated more than 15 years to the AFC. From Barangay AFC (BAFC) Chairperson to MAFC and eventually to PAFC and then to RAFC, his journey has been a testament to persistence.
He now advocates for organic rice, particularly black rice, a crop he nurtures with patience and care. Adelberto knows too well the difficulties of farming the natural way. “It takes patience and discipline,” he admits, as organic farming demands more work for yields that often match, but do not exceed, conventional harvests. Still, he believes it’s worth it for healthier communities and cleaner fields.
Funding for AFC activities has always been a struggle. PCAF’s allocations barely cover the AFC’s initiatives. Yet, Adelberto’s story is one of resourcefulness, as he has found allies in local government units. Their support, whether through funds, logistics, or moral backing has kept the AFC’s projects alive. To him, partnership is the seed that sustains progress.
Regino Gervacio: Champion of vegetables and community dreams
For Regino or “Tata” as he is fondly called, the landmass of Brgy. Guituan in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, is a field of possibilities. A vegetable farmer at heart, he proudly declares, “sa gulayan may pera” as if money is being laid over the field.
His leadership grew from the ground up, beginning as BAFC Chairperson in 2006. By 2017, he was not only elected Chairperson of MAFC Ipil but also honored by the East West Seed Philippines as a Regional Farmer-Hero for his dedication to vegetable farming. He was again awarded the same in 2023.
Gervacio introduced plastic mulching to his community, a simple yet transformative practice that conserves water, suppresses weeds, and produces cleaner, healthier crops. Yet, Tata’s vision goes beyond farming techniques.
He dreams of acquiring a refrigerated delivery van or a reefer van for his association that would keep their vegetables fresh from farm to market. For him, it’s not just about reducing post-harvest losses but about dignity for his fellow farmers ensuring that their hard work reaches consumers in its best form.
But he also acknowledges the barriers that not all members of the MAFC can attend meetings due to financial or geographical constraints. Only 16 of 28 barangays in the entire municipality are regularly represented, a gap he hopes can be bridged with better support for transportation and more inclusive consultations.
More than farmers, they are volunteers
For Santiago, Adelberto, and Regino, being part of the AFC is not a position—it’s a calling. They are unpaid volunteers, dedicating time to draft policy resolutions, monitor projects, and advocate for their peers. They see themselves as bridges between government programs and grassroots needs, and their stories show how one farmer’s voice, when amplified by a council, can ripple across a community.
Their journeys echo a shared belief: that farming is not only about survival but about building a future. From Santiago’s push for cooperatives, to Adelberto’s faith in organic farming, to Regino’s dream of a reefer van and a stable market, their visions converge on one truth—empowered farmers mean empowered communities.
As the Lakbay Panayam draws to a close, these farmer-volunteers are not just tilling soil but also became a platform to share replicable practices. They are planting hope, cultivating resilience, and harvesting a future where the next generation may find both passion and prosperity in the fields.| Text by Junry Danila, photos by Joy Camille Luza, Jez Campaniel, and J. Danila
