PSSFAI-IPMAPi North Palawan Unites Farmers and Indigenous Communities in a Bold New Cooperative Vision for Taytay

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2026-08-15 02:17:53

TAYTAY, PALAWAN — August 12, 2026 — Representativesof more than 1000 members of the Pamantolon Sagingan Sakahan Farmers Association Inc. (PSSFAI), together with leaders and representatives from Indigenous Peoples (IP) and farmers’ organizations in Taytay, Palawan, gathered for a meaningful leadership assembly focused on one urgent question: How can farmers and communities transform their collective strength into lasting opportunity and a better future?

The gathering became more than an organizational meeting. It became a powerful expression of unity, leadership, environmental consciousness and a renewed commitment to uplift the lives of farmers and Indigenous communities through cooperation.

At the center of the discussions was the aspiration of PSSFAI leaders to find sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting their members—from limited opportunities and resources to the need for stronger community-based economic structures.

Lazaga: Leadership Beyond Public Office

Among the distinguished visitors was Dr. Virgilio Lazaga, former Assistant Secretary of Cooperative Development Authority CDA and Vice Chair of  The Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC), who returned to extend his personal support to the farmers of Taytay.

His presence carried a deeper meaning. Lazaga had previously expressed his commitment to help the farmers of Taytay while serving with the CDA. Even after leaving government service and now as adviser of NEDAC, he continued to honor that commitment in his private capacity.

For the farmers and leaders present, his participation demonstrated that true public service does not end when a position ends.

Lazaga shared his continuing advocacy for the cooperative movement and the importance of protecting the environment, encouraging community leaders to look beyond immediate concerns and build organizations capable of creating opportunities for generations to come.

His personal decision to continue supporting the farmers, even outside government, was seen as a testament to leadership rooted in sacrifice, trust and genuine concern for the people.

Bayubay Challenges Farmers to Build Their Own Economic Future

The gathering also featured Henry V. Bayubay, Vice President and General Manager of the Filipino Inventors Society Multipurpose Cooperative (FISMPC), who introduced the cooperative concept as a possible pathway for PSSFAI to strengthen its organization and economic capacity.

Bayubay challenged the officers to consider transforming their association into a cooperative—not simply as a change in organizational structure, but as a change in mindset and economic direction.

He emphasized that the cooperative concept begins when people recognize that their individual resources can become much more powerful when combined for a common purpose.

“Do not wait for someone else to build your future. Start with what you have, put your resources together, and build something that belongs to the community.”

Bayubay encouraged the PSSFAI officers to demonstrate commitment by establishing a shared capital structure that could serve as the foundation for future projects, services, livelihood programs, technology adoption and market opportunities.

The challenge was direct: dream together, contribute together and build together.

For PSSFAI, the proposed transition toward a cooperative model could provide an opportunity to turn the association's collective membership of more than 500 people into a stronger economic force capable of negotiating opportunities, developing enterprises and creating sustainable benefits for its members.

Local Leaders Stand With the Farmers

The gathering also received strong support from local leaders.

Vice Mayor Delma Edep attended the event and delivered words of encouragement and inspiration to the farmers and community leaders. Her presence underscored the importance of collaboration between local government and grassroots organizations in addressing the challenges faced by farmers and Indigenous communities.

Former Municipal Councilor Delia Signo also graced the occasion, adding her voice of support to the community's continuing efforts to build stronger and more responsive organizations.

The event was formally welcomed by Adrian Ramosa, Chairman of PSSFAI, who recognized the importance of bringing the organization's leaders and members together to discuss a common direction.

Meanwhile, IPMAPi North also delivered an inspirational message and introduced its continuing advocacy for Indigenous Peoples and community empowerment.

From Association to Cooperative: A New Beginning

The most significant outcome of the gathering was the emerging commitment to explore the transformation of PSSFAI from an association into a cooperative.

The discussions recognized that the cooperative model could become a platform through which farmers and Indigenous communities can collectively manage resources, develop enterprises, access opportunities, strengthen bargaining power and create sustainable community-based programs.

But the leaders also acknowledged that transformation cannot happen through a registration document alone.

It requires commitment, shared capital, transparency, participation, responsible leadership and a willingness to work together.

The open forum allowed officers and participants to raise concerns, discuss existing challenges and explore possible solutions. The exchange of ideas provided a clearer picture of the work that must follow the gathering.

A Promise to Turn Discussion Into Action

As the event concluded, the leaders carried with them a renewed promise: the gathering must become the beginning of action.

The next step will be to translate the discussions into concrete organizational reforms, cooperative development initiatives and practical solutions to the concerns identified by the members.

For PSSFAI, the message was clear—the future of Taytay's farmers cannot depend solely on assistance from outside.

It must also be built from within the community itself.

With more than 500 members, the association possesses a valuable foundation: people, resources, experience, knowledge and a shared desire for a better future.

The challenge now is to unite these strengths under a structure that can create sustainable economic opportunities.

Empowerment Through Cooperation

The August 12 gathering demonstrated that empowerment begins when communities believe in their own capacity to create change.

With the support and inspiration of leaders such as Dr. Virgilio Lazaga, Vice Mayor Delma Edep, former Councilor Delia Salvame, Adrian Ramosa, IPMAPi North and Henry V. Bayubay, PSSFAI is beginning to envision a future where farmers are not merely beneficiaries of development—but active owners and builders of it.

The cooperative journey may still be at its beginning, but the commitment expressed during the gathering provides an important first step.

From association to cooperation.
From individual struggles to collective strength.
From waiting for opportunities to creating opportunities.
And from today’s challenges to a stronger tomorrow for the farmers and Indigenous communities of Taytay, Palawan.

The gathering ended with an open forum—but the conversation does not end there.

For PSSFAI, the next chapter is action.

And with unity, shared resources, responsible leadership and the cooperative spirit, the farmers of Taytay are beginning to write that chapter together.

NPO NEWS TEAM - PALAWAN-CORRESPONT I PSSFAI-PR

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