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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DA, DILG sign pact to streamline state aid for farmers, fisherfolk

DA, DILG sign pact to streamline state aid for farmers, fisherfolk

Published May 22, 2026 11:35 am  |  Updated May 22, 2026 01:08 pm
Farmers cultivate the land and water spring onions in Brgy. Sulib, Pangil, Laguna on April 12, 2026. This preparation ensures the plots are ready for the next planting cycle. (Photo by John Louie Abrina I Manila Bulletin)
Farmers cultivate the land and water spring onions in Brgy. Sulib, Pangil, Laguna on April 12, 2026. This preparation ensures the plots are ready for the next planting cycle. (Photo by John Louie Abrina I Manila Bulletin)
The government has formed a new inter-agency framework leveraging a whole-of-government approach to strengthen the agricultural cooperative system and deliver greater support to farmers and fisherfolk nationwide.
In a statement on Friday, May 22, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is partnering with other government entities to enforce a joint memorandum circular (JMC) harmonizing policies related to agricultural cooperatives.
These member-owned organizations allow farmers and fisherfolk to pool their resources, enhance productivity, and gain better access to markets.
The DA noted that the JMC recognizes these cooperatives as vital engines of local economic development, making it critical for the government to streamline interventions and institutionalize coordinated support across all levels of governance. Through this circular, the government aims to align food security and livelihood generation objectives among national agencies, local government units (LGUs), and development partners. The initiative is envisioned to reduce the duplication of state interventions and promote a unified, data-driven system for cooperative development, monitoring, and support services.
“This memorandum is more than a policy document—it is a concrete, whole-of-government commitment to empower our farmers and fisherfolk through stronger and more sustainable cooperatives,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“By aligning the efforts of national agencies and local governments, we can build a more responsive and efficient support system that contributes meaningfully to food security and national development,” he added.
The DA added that the framework will create a more inclusive system empowering cooperatives to grow, innovate, and compete in domestic and foreign markets. It will also ensure that local governments are actively engaged in cooperative development by integrating these enterprises into municipal and provincial plans, as well as supporting monitoring and validation efforts.
According to the agency, the JMC has completed inter-agency reviews and is ready for dissemination to all regional offices. The document was also signed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). (Dexter Barro II)

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