The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) is working with local government units (LGUs) to fully implement Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka law, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Executive Order No. 101 on Oct. 25, 2025, for its full implementation.
Among the mandates under Sagip Saka is strong coordination among offices, attached agencies, bureaus and LGUs to provide farmers and fisherfolk with different perspectives in agriculture to improve their quality of life.
On Monday, DA-13 facilitated a briefing for media members on RA 11321.
“The Sagip Saka will provide direct market access to sell farm products to the government and enhance the productivity and entrepreneurship skills of farmers and fisherfolk,” said Marco Antonio Morido, OIC regional technical director for research and regulation of DA-13, during the briefing.
He added that Sagip Saka also mandates the establishment of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program, which will help increase the enterprise income of the region’s agriculture sector through expanded market access and product development improvement.
DA-13 Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. said during the media briefing that some LGUs and cooperatives in the region are already procuring palay and other farm products.
Among the LGUs he identified are Marihatag in Surigao del Sur and Remedios T. Romualdez in Agusan del Norte.
“These LGUs have passed ordinances to make interventions with the farmers’ groups in their localities, particularly in buying their farm products,” Oñate said.
He added that such LGU initiatives align with Sagip Saka’s aims, as he urged other local governments in the region to replicate the same measure.
“DA-13 is now working with LGUs, from the provincial down to the city and municipalities, to come out with different measures, aside from ordinances, to support the implementation of Sagip Saka,” Oñate said.
The agency is also inventorying all existing facilities, including dryers and warehouses, that could help process farm products of farmers and fisherfolk groups in the region. (PNA)
