RAFC Kordilyera

08/09/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐖. 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐬-𝐢!

The Department of Agriculture–Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO CAR) congratulates Michael W. Lumas-i as the new Executive Chairperson of the Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region (RAFC-CAR) for FY 2026–2029, effective August 3, 2026.

As Chairperson, he will lead the Council in championing the concerns of the agriculture and fisheries sectors, presiding over meetings, representing the Council in various development councils and government bodies, overseeing its plans and activities, and strengthening partnerships with the DA, LGUs, and other stakeholders.

With his leadership, RAFC-CAR looks forward to a stronger, more responsive, and more empowered voice for the region’s farmers and fisherfolk.

Congratulations, Chairperson Michael W. Lumas-i! May your leadership continue to advance the interests and welfare of the Cordillera’s agriculture and fisheries communities.

26/08/2026

#𝗣𝗔𝗙𝗖𝗔𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗼 | 𝙋𝘼𝙁𝘾 𝘼𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙤 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥

The Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) Apayao conducted its Sectoral Committee Consultative Meeting on August 25, 2026, at the Office of the Agricultural Services in Payanan, Luna, Apayao. The session marked a significant milestone as it served as the very first official meeting presided over by newly elected PAFC Chairperson Marcel Tomas. Bringing key local stakeholders together, the consultation tackled pressing multi-sectoral concerns affecting the province's agricultural landscape, with a dedicated focus on the Rice sector, Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization (AFMech), and the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community. A major highlight of the gathering was the plan to institutionalize the Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) Luna, a crucial move toward strengthening grassroots governance.

25/08/2026

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 | 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗙𝗖𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Real progress in agriculture requires a system where government initiatives directly align with the needs of local food producers. Organized through the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) serve as the primary mechanism for private sector participation across all levels of governance.

From municipal bodies (MAFCs) to provincial bodies (PAFCs) and to specialized city structures like HUCAFCs, CAFCs, and ICCAFCs, these councils empower local farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-entrepreneurs to actively shape policy, monitor public projects, and guide local resource allocation. Anchored by the strategic mandates of DILG-DA JMC No. 1, s. 2025, the AFC network demonstrates that inclusive, institutionalized public-private collaboration is vital to building a sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant agricultural sector.

18/08/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿

On August 14, 2026, the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council – Cordillera Administrative Region (RAFC-CAR), together with partners, gathered to turn over the collective aid gathered for the families affected by the landslide in Barangay Guisad Surong.

These photos capture the hands and hearts behind the effort—from the careful sorting and repacking of essential hygiene packs donated by the Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) program of the Dap-ayan ti John Hay of the John Hay Hotels, to the distribution of hot catered meals provided by Hotel Tugos, and the official handover of relief goods and cash assistance.

Financial Transparency Summary:

Total Cash Raised: ₱25,287.00

Hygiene Essentials Procured: ₱3,287.00 (Rubbing alcohol, shampoo, and laundry detergent for relief kits)

Net Cash Turned Over: ₱22,000.00

Sincere gratitude is extended to every donor, partner organization, and volunteer whose dedication turned community solidarity into immediate relief for Guisad Surong.

17/08/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚!

RAFC Cordillera is looking for (1) Development Management Officer I (Contract of Service).

Key Qualifications:
🎓 Bachelor's Degree
✍️ Strong research and writing skills
📝 Experienced in meeting documentation

Please see the attached posts for the full list of qualifications, duties, and all necessary application requirements. Note that specific forms and clearances are required.

How to Apply:
📧 Email your documentary requirements to [email protected].
📅 Deadline: August 21, 2026, 11:59 PM.

Ensure your Letter of Intent is addressed to Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, CESO III.

17/08/2026

𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴

On August 14, 2026, the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council – Cordillera Administrative Region (RAFC-CAR), alongside partners FPOP Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Kabataang FPOP Montañosa, and Sow What?, officially completed the turnover of donations for the families affected by the tragic landslide in Barangay Guisad Surong.

Through the overwhelming support of generous donors, the campaign raised a total of ₱25,287.00. From this amount, ₱3,287.00 was utilized to procure essential hygiene items—including rubbing alcohol, shampoo, and laundry detergent—to complete repacked relief kits donated by the Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) program of the Dap-ayan ti John Hay of the John Hay Hotels, leaving a net total of ₱22,000.00 directly turned over in cash assistance.

Special recognition is also extended to Hotel Tugos for providing hot catered meals to nourish affected residents, surviving family members, and on-ground relief workers during the turnover operations.

The organizing team and partner organizations express their deepest appreciation to every donor, volunteer, and supporter who responded to this call for aid. Their collective generosity provided direct relief and vital comfort to the Guisad Surong community during a time of profound loss.

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝗙𝗖𝘀

To enhance the institutional capabilities of grassroots agricultural leaders and ensure the transparent implementation of regional initiatives the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries - Partnership Development Division (PCAF-PDD) Capacity Development Section, successfully conducted the Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) Training for the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) of CAR.

The capacity-building program, held from August 3 to 7, 2026, at Hotel Tugos along Naguilian Road, Baguio City, brought together agricultural leaders, coordinators, and council representatives from the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and the City of Baguio.

The training program was systematically designed to equip participants with advanced frameworks, practical tools, and standardized methodologies for tracking project implementation. By strengthening participatory monitoring mechanisms, the initiative aims to enhance local accountability, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that community-level agricultural interventions closely align with the actual needs of farmers and fisherfolk across the region.

Throughout the sessions, resource persons facilitated technical discussions, workshops, and evaluations aimed at institutionalizing robust feedback loops within the local council structures. The engagement underscored the shared commitment of national agencies and regional councils toward fostering transparent, evidence-based, and highly responsive agricultural governance in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

10/08/2026

𝗧𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴

RAFC-CAR, in partnership with FPOP Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Kabataang FPOP Montanosa, and Sow What?, is humbly accepting monetary and in-kind donations for the community of Guisad Surong.

Note: We are accepting essential items and financial support, but we are currently unable to accept clothing.

📍 Drop-off Location for Physical Goods:
Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PMED), 2nd Floor, Main Building, DA-RFO CAR, BPI Compound, Guisad, Baguio City.

[Edit] Donations will be turned-over on August 14, 2026 because of the urgency of the situation.

For cash donations or inquiries, feel free to send us a direct message. Thank you for your generosity and continuous support!

09/08/2026

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗜 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 | 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗔. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗻: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Elisa Alfonso Benafin is a rural development professional and educator with three decades of experience leading community-level and multi-sectoral projects. Throughout her career, she has managed field operations, strategic planning, training design, and policy integration for programs supported by international and national entities, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), USAID, the European Union, and VSO UK.

Currently serving as the President of the Tadian Farmers, Fisherfolk and Irrigators Association in Mt. Province, Ms. Benafin actively engages with government agencies and local government units to secure program accreditation, partnership status, and project funding for local agricultural sectors.

Her prior technical roles include serving as National Training Consultant for DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS project, Training Specialist for the DA-EU Central Cordillera Agricultural Programme II, Team Leader and Unit Manager for USAID-funded educational and electrification projects with Winrock International and the Education Development Center, and Management Adviser in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her foundational work includes administrative and leadership roles at the Igorota Foundation, Inc. and St. Martin School in Baguio City.

Ms. Benafin holds a B.S. in Commerce (Banking and Finance) and completed graduate coursework in Educational Administration at Saint Louis University. She placed 6th in Region 1 on the Philippine Board Examination for Teachers.