ILOILO CITY – Representatives from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 02, through the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, participated in the National Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Forum held on September 21-25, 2026, at the Grand Imperial Xing Hotel, Iloilo City. The forum served as a venue for sharing best practices, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing the competitiveness of F2C2 clusters nationwide.

The Region 02 delegation was led by Dr. Marvin B. Luis, Chief of the Field Operations Division and concurrent F2C2 Focal Person, together with Mr. Jay Lord Y. Bagasin, F2C2 Alternate Focal Person, and representatives from nine F2C2 cluster cooperatives. Also, joining the delegation was Mr. Noel C. Baquiran Jr., Municipal Agriculturist of Tumauini, Isabela.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Aneg SWIS Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Delfin Albano, Isabela, represented by their Chairperson, Ms. Marigrace Cariaga, as recipient of the National Gawad Saka Award under the Outstanding Rice Cluster (SWISA Category).

Meanwhile, Ms. Katrina Cassandria T. Rillera of Flow of Pariir Agriculture  Cooperative from Cabatuan, Isabela served as a resource person during the forum’s best practices session, where she shared the cooperative’s successful financial management and bookkeeping strategies.

Region 02 cooperatives also showcased their products during the product exhibit at Robinsons Place Iloilo, featuring Low GI Rice, Mungbean products, Organic Muscovado Sugar, Mango Fruit Bar, and Champurrado, promoting local products and strengthening market linkages.

The forum concluded with the ceremonial turnover of hosting responsibilities to Region VII for the 2027 National F2C2 Forum and a closing message from Ms. Maria Teresa T. Solis, Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension of DA Regional Field Office VI.

via Jerica I. Villaflor & Prim John D. Macababbad