11/05/2026
Mula sa Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas
| RACE-ReFACO strategic planning conducted, farm clustering enterprise pushed
Through the initiative of the DA RFO VIIIโs Agricultural Cooperative Enterprise Development Division (ACEDD), the Regional Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem (RACE) and the Region 8 Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (ReFACO) successfully held their strategic planning workshop on March 17โ19, 2026, in Tacloban City.
The goal of the three-day workshop was to help the agri-cooperatives and member agencies develop practical strategies for improving agricultural cooperative integration in the region through the agro-enterprise clustering approach and the Sagip Saka Act implementation.
Additionally, the workshop aimed to strengthen ReFACO so it can become the regional hub for consolidating resources, building partnerships, and creating market connections for agricultural cooperatives in Eastern Visayas.
Officers and members of ReFACO, chosen farmers from F2C2 farm clusters, and representatives from RACE member agenciesโincluding DA, CDA, DTI, NIA, PhilMech, PCA, DOST, DSWD, and ATIโall attended the activity.
Over the course of three days, the activity utilized a participatory planning method, engaging participants in plenary sessions, breakout discussions, action planning, and commitment setting.
Ms Maria Rufelie S. Gula, Chief of ACEDD, discussed the main aspects of the Sagip Saka Act, including the Farmers and Fisherfolks Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program. The purpose was to ensure that the federation's roadmap and operational framework match the program, allowing it to act as a big brother to farm clusters.
Likewise, representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority โ Regional Office 8 (CDA RO ๐ joined in facilitating the workshop to further strengthen the role of the Regional Agricultural Cooperative Ecosystem (RACE) in the operationalization of ReFACO.
In their output presentation, the groups successfully formulated both its vision and mission statements. They also established strategic objectives centered on strengthening organizational capacity, scaling-up an integrated value chain, adopting a market-oriented approach to production, and empowering local communities.
CDA Assistant Secretary Luz H. Yringo, along with officials from DA RFO VIII and CDA RO VIII, contributed insights and recommendations to support the federation in establishing well-defined objectives and strategic directions.