DA 4K Program - Zamboanga Peninsula

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟑𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲| The DA-4K Regional Program Management Office IX successfully conducted its 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. The activity served as a vital platform to review the progress, assess implementation strategies, and identify key
challenges and opportunities in the delivery of program interventions for Fiscal Year 2026.

The assessment brought together FY 2026 partner Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), concerned Local Government Units (LGUs), and representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), fostering a collaborative environment for dialogue, transparency, and shared accountability. Through this
convergence, stakeholders were able to exchange insights, align plans, and strengthen coordination mechanisms to ensure the effective and inclusive implementation of DA-4K initiatives across ancestral domains.

Furthermore, the activity reaffirmed the commitment of all participating institutions to uphold the rights, welfare, and sustainable development of Indigenous Cultural Communities, while reinforcing partnerships that are essential in achieving the program’s goals for empowerment and resilience.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | The 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐑𝐓𝐃) for the development of Heirloom Rice as a Signature Commodity in the Ancestral Domain (SCAD) was successfully conducted on March 26, 2026, in Pagadian City, marking a significant step toward advancing culturally rooted and sustainable agricultural development for Indigenous Cultural Communities.

The activity gathered key partners and stakeholders, highlighting a strong multi-sectoral collaboration in support of Indigenous Peoples. Among those present were the Siayan Lupa Pusaka Subanen Association, the identified target Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPO), alongside representatives from partner stakeholders, including the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD).

Also in attendance were key officials and program leaders who reinforced the importance of this initiative, including DA-4K National Program Director, Mr. Gilbert V. Baltazar, Head of the Program Services and Intervention Cluster, Dr. Norodin S. Malugayak, DA-RFO IX OIC-Regional Executive Director, Mr. Vener L. Dilig, DA-FOD Chief, Mr. Hannibal P. Bayo-ang, APCO-Zamboanga del Sur, Mr. Jose J. Agad, Jr., and DA-4K Regional Focal Person, Ms. Juvy L. Guatno.

The SRTD served as a vital platform to validate, refine, and strengthen the SCAD Development Plan, drawing valuable insights and recommendations directly from stakeholders. More importantly, the discussion ensured that the development strategies remain responsive to the needs, aspirations, and cultural values of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

This undertaking underscores a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage through heirloom rice production, while promoting inclusive growth, food security, and sustainable socio-economic development within ancestral domains. By aligning institutional support with indigenous knowledge systems and community-driven priorities, the initiative paves the way for a more empowered, resilient, and self-sustaining future for IP communities.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | Five (5) Indigenous Peoples' Organizations (IPOs) actively participated in the “𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 (𝐈𝐏𝐒) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬’ 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐈𝐏𝐎𝐬) 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟏 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠” conducted by the DA-4K Regional Program Management Office IX in coordination with the concerned Local Government Units.

The training sessions were successfully conducted on March 3–5, 10, and 13, 2026, in President Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte, Ramon Magsaysay, Labangan, Tigbao, and Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur. This capacity-building initiative forms part of the program’s continuing efforts to empower Indigenous Peoples by strengthening the institutional and leadership capacities of their Indigenous Political Structures (IPS) and Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs).

Through the 𝟏𝟏 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, the activity provided participants with essential knowledge and guidance on organizational strengthening, governance, leadership, and sustainable community development. It also emphasized the importance of preserving cultural integrity, strengthening community participation, and promoting inclusive development within ancestral domains.

Representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) served as resource speakers during the training, sharing their expertise and insights on IP governance, rights protection, and the role of IP leaders in advancing the welfare of Indigenous Peoples.

This initiative highlights the collaborative efforts of the DA, NCIP, LGUs, and Indigenous Cultural Communities in promoting empowerment, self-governance, and sustainable development for Indigenous Peoples in the region.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | The 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 – 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐨 (𝐃𝐀-𝟒𝐊) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 for FY 2026 implementation in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region officially commenced through a series of successful Coordination Meetings with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), concerned Local Government Units (LGUs), Indigenous Political Structures (IPS) within the ancestral domains, and the target Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs). These meaningful engagements were conducted on February 4–5, 2026, in Pres. Manuel A. Roxas and Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, and on February 24–27, 2026, in Labangan, Ramon Magsaysay, Tigbao, and Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.

The activity served as a vital platform to harmonize plans, clarify roles, and strengthen partnerships to ensure the effective and culturally responsive delivery of DA programs and services to our Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).

The meetings highlighted the importance of collaborative governance, respect for Indigenous Political Structures, and unified action towards food security, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable agricultural development within ancestral domains.

With shared goals and strengthened partnerships, the activity concluded with a firm commitment from all stakeholders to advance inclusive, participatory, and sustainable development for Indigenous Peoples through the DA-4K Program.

For FY 2026, the partner Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations include 𝐒𝐢𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐑𝐨𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐢𝐠𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐜., 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐛𝐚𝐨, and 𝐏𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠.

𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘣𝘰, 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯.

𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 - 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐨 (𝟒𝐊) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 (𝐍𝐖𝐌)!💜
Higit pa sa isang taunang selebrasyon, ang NWM ay panawagan para sa Women and Everyone (WE) na makilahok at manguna sa pagsusulong ng gender equality at women’s empowerment.
Sa temang “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, ipinapaalala na likas sa ating pagkakakilanlan ang pamumunong may karunungan, malasakit, at tapang—tulad ng mga Babaylan noon.
Kaisa ang 4K Program sa pagpapalakas ng kababaihang katutubo bilang mga lider at haligi ng komunidad tungo sa isang inklusibo at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas.
Bisitahin ang Philippine Commission on Women para sa karagdagang impormasyon.

𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 - 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐨 (𝟒𝐊) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 (𝐍𝐖𝐌)!💜

Higit pa sa isang taunang selebrasyon, ang NWM ay panawagan para sa Women and Everyone (WE) na makilahok at manguna sa pagsusulong ng gender equality at women’s empowerment.

Sa temang “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, ipinapaalala na likas sa ating pagkakakilanlan ang pamumunong may karunungan, malasakit, at tapang—tulad ng mga Babaylan noon.

Kaisa ang 4K Program sa pagpapalakas ng kababaihang katutubo bilang mga lider at haligi ng komunidad tungo sa isang inklusibo at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas.

Bisitahin ang Philippine Commission on Women para sa karagdagang impormasyon.

DA - Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo Program
Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture - AMIA