On September 6, 2024, five farmer groups who are part of the TSPI’s Farmers’ Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) were recognized during the “Regional Awarding and Recognition of PhilGAP Certified Farms in Central Luzon.” Held at the Heroes Hall in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the event celebrated the commitment of farmers to uphold sustainable and safe agricultural practices.
The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office III’s Regulatory Division bestowed the prestigious recognition on farms that have successfully earned the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification. Administered by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), this certification upholds the integrity of food safety, environmental care, and public health.
The following groups received their awards: MASIFAGCA (Magsalisi Farmers and Growers of Calamansi) from Jaen, Nueva Ecija; Tucop Farmers Association from Tucop, Dinalupihan, Bataan; Marcos Villagers’ Palayan City Farmers Agrifarm Corporation from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Pagbiagan Multipurpose Cooperative from Mataranoc, San Manuel, Tarlac; and Ungab Farmers’ Association from Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.
TSPI North Central Sector Head Lorena Mandanas and Area Manager Maricel Venturina represented the firm during the ceremony. Their presence underscored the vital support that TSPI plays in empowering smallholder farmers with financial assistance, entrepreneurial guidance, capacity-building, and advocacy.
At the heart of this celebration is synergy—the dynamic interaction between TSPI, the farmers, and government institutions. With valuable support from the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), TSPI’s Farmers Entrepreneurship Program acts as a bridge, linking farmers with critical resources and knowledge to thrive in modern agriculture. The farmers bring their dedication, expertise, and willingness to innovate, while government agencies like the Department of Agriculture provide guidance and recognition that validate their efforts.
Sixty year-old Emmie Marques Macaso has always lived in Jaen. Her husband was initially the farmer in the family. Eventually, she and her son also took on farming. Currently, she is the owner of Emelita´s Farm and also serves as president of MASIFAGCA. She has been a TSPI client since 2018. When the MASIFAGCA farmer group started attending training sessions sponsored by JGF, she admits, they were unsure if they could meet the criteria for farm-partners set by Jollibee Food Corporation(JFC). However, when they found out that they were chosen among the fastfood’s preferred suppliers, she was elated.
In meeting the PhilGAP requirements, she admits that the learning curve was steep, since many of their farmer members were already set in their ways, and they were unsure how getting certified would benefit them. Still, they appreciated the shift in practices and mindsets because this led them to adapt better farming practices. ¨The reason we sought certification was because Jollibee requested it, since we were dealing with food, something that people will consume. It was a big help because we now value what inputs go into planting food items. They gave us the opportunity to improve, ¨ she said in Tagalog.
The awards serve as a validation for the farmers as well as an inspiration for other farmers to pursue similar certifications, thereby raising the overall standard of Philippine agriculture.
The recognition is a testament to what can be achieved when purpose-driven organizations and dedicated individuals work hand-in-hand toward a common goal .
