ILOILO City — Government-funded events in Western Visayas may become a direct market for local farmers and fisherfolk.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) approved a resolution urging all local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, and state universities in the region to serve locally produced food in official activities.
Under RDC Resolution No. 23, Series of 2026, provincial, city, and municipal LGUs, regional offices of government agencies, and state universities are being enjoined to require caterers and venue service providers to use locally sourced rice, fish, and other agricultural products during government-funded gatherings.
The move is seen as a stronger regional push to stimulate the local agricultural economy while helping farmers and fisherfolk secure stable markets amid continued inflow of imported food products.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 welcomed the initiative, calling it a “huge win” for local producers and a major reinforcement of Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act.
“Kapag local ang sinerve s2a government events, local communities din ang panalo. More support, more income, more chances para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda natin,” DA-6 said in a statement.
DA-6 regional information officer James Earl Ogatis said the campaign was being strongly pushed by Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia under the “buy local, support local” advocacy focused on increasing consumption of products produced by local farmers and fisherfolk.
Ogatis emphasized that consumers and institutional buyers in Western Visayas should prioritize locally produced rice instead of imported varieties.
“Ma-amat-amat naton pabugtaw ang aton mga consumers ilabi na gid ang aton mga institutional buyers nga indeed ang produkto sang aton mga mangungoma diri sa Western Visayas amo gid aton i-consume kag baklon bisan may influx sang importation,” he said.
He clarified that the campaign does not focus solely on rice but also includes corn, calamansi juice, coffee, fish, and other locally produced goods.
The DA-6 earlier implemented its own internal policy promoting local products after Arpia issued a memorandum prohibiting the serving of soft drinks during agency activities and replacing them with locally produced juices starting last year.
The agency has also been visiting provinces and municipalities across the region to encourage direct procurement from farmers and fisherfolk.
“Pinaagi sa pag-support naton sa ila, we can create demand, we can create markets nga direkta nga magbakal sa ila kag makahatag employment and increase income sa aton farmers,” Ogatis added.
Signed into law in April 2019, the Sagip Saka Act mandates local government units and government agencies to buy directly from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives to eliminate middlemen and increase producers’ income while making food more affordable for consumers./PN
