By Anthony A. Araos

I can’t wait to meet my new-found friends at Barangay Namnama in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. Particularly the officers and members of the Sadiri Farmers Organization (SFO),
The SFO is indeed a unique and promising non-government organization (NGO) in this part of Ifugao. It is far different from many other NGOs in the province in so many aspects. Members and officers are friendly and hardworking. I shared a lot of their interests.
I’m pleased to see some projects and resilience in them. It speaks well of how to start well in 2025 for a barangay-based NGO grappling with limited funds.
Many were doubtful in the past of the SFO’s survival but here it is today, realizing the goal putting up the SFO that has come into fruition. From 75 members, 55 are presently active.
Members are obviously confronted with many concerns about the SFO, in general, and high cost of living, in particular. And that’s not hard to understand. They perceive it to be burdensome especially each project and activity entails expenses. Realistically speaking, we’re talking of huge expenses at that.
Let me tell you, it feels highly challenging to help them. I’m looking forward to assisting and guiding them, under the strong and able leadership of President Vilma Limon and Vice President Joseph Lista (also the Punong Barangay) and am ready to contribute technically to its growth, even as I’m fully mindful of the need to enlighten them on the impact of environment, social and governance factors.
For a couple of minutes, I listened to the pulse of the members. It is my intention to do the same with the forthcoming meeting with the SFO and this time with the highly-placed officers. Before projects or programs are pursued, you get additional information. Purpose: to clearly understand what assistance can be extended.
Of course, I’m all set to push for a Development Plan to cover budget for projects, programs and activities for the next six years.
Moving to the heart of this development plan, we carefully assess its concerns by engaging with them. In this incoming meeting where I’m going to learn about matters that hinders them from achieving their goals. This is what putting the people’s needs at the forefront of the SFO is all about.
For now, here’s part of the ongoing story. So what’s in for cash-strapped farmers who are the main drivers of the government’s food security program? They obviously need a lot of tools and gadgets for a bountiful harvest. What are they receiving from the government? Answer: Very little for a very long time. The push for modernization of the agriculture sector in the Cordilleras may be realized by providing them farm machineries such as tractors and harvesters. It is high time that the national government heed the clamor to construct post-harvest facilities in economically deprived villages as this one. By doing so, young folks become more aware of how important are farmers in nation-building and the government is not remiss of its responsibility of helping them when they needed it most.
Ifugao continues to perform poorly among Cordillera provinces in agriculture production. Palay (unhushed rice) drying is done at streets and roads, which substantially affects the quality of rice and results to thousands of pesos of farmers’ money is lost.
Ifugao is a largely underserved province in the Cordillera Administrative Region, and it is also one of the poorest in the country.
When you move in well-built, well-paved road, travel is faster and safe. Unfortunately, 95 percent of Namnama roads are unpaved. A road is a crucial lifeline of a farmer to transfer his produce to the town proper. To increase agricultural productivity and mobility, Barangay Namnama is in dire need of farm-to-market roads (FMRs). The absence of FMRs clearly hinders economic development.
To go beyond registry of SFO with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), I am placing a well-thought plan of registering it with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and accrediting it with the provincial level for much-needed assistance.
Now is the time for SFO to think of the importance of high-cash crops like the sugar cane, cacao or coffee. Meantime it makes sense for them to manufacture Muscovado for commercial consumption and not only reselling. When this proposed plan goes in full swing, you can increase the earnings of farmers. Think about it!
Meanwhile, I am fully committed to provide more information to my esteemed friends at Sadiri Farmers Organization on various programs of the public and private sector geared towards improving the financial and production capacity of small farmers.
To civic leaders Victor Sampayan and Ferdinand Santiago: It’s not just about introducing yourselves to SFO members and making them feel good- It’s time for you to step up and help. It’s all part of the game!
Indeed there’s still a lot of concerns which I hope to discuss with SFO officers at the soonest time. For its part, there’s a need for Congress to sustain a bigger budgetary allocation for the agriculture sector. We need to build a stronger farming sector to ensure food security at all times.
Staying true to our advocacy, along with Victor Sampayan and Ferdinand Santiago, we want to uplift communities by addressing their concerns with the end goal of enabling the men and women in this all-important sector to build a brighter future.**