Zamboanga del Sur — With the goal of strengthening indigenous livelihoods and promoting inclusive agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture – MIADP RPCO IX convened the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) Meeting for the Component 3 Subproject: Corn Production, Consolidation, and Marketing Enterprise in the ancestral domain of Dumingag. The meeting, held on April 30, 2025, at the DA Regional Field Office IX Conference Hall in Barangay Lenienza, Pagadian City, brought together key government agencies, local stakeholders, and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO), Peksalabuken Subanen Dumingag Association, which is rooted in CADT No. R09-DUM-1204-029.
This RPAB Meeting marked a critical milestone in the DA-MIADP’s enterprise subproject implementation process under Component 3 (AD-Enterprise), the phase where community-vetted enterprise proposals undergo strategic review for endorsement and eventual rollout.
Spearheaded by the DA-MIADP RPCO IX Component 3 team, the RPAB Meeting served as a consultative platform where national and regional stakeholders reviewed the proposed enterprise subproject. Present during the meeting were RPAB members from DILG IX, DPWH IX, DTI IX, DAR IX, DENR IX, RAFC IX, MinDA, and NCIP IX, as well as the Local Project Management Implementing Unit (LPMIU) of Zamboanga del Sur, the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of Dumingag, the IPO, and representatives from the LGU of Dumingag.
Engr. Marcos C. Aves Sr., Regional Executive Director and Project Director of DA-MIADP RPCO IX, opened the meeting by presenting the provisional agenda and highlighting the significance of the initiative.
“Today is not just about endorsing another subproject—it’s about empowering our Subanen brothers and sisters with tools for long-term economic sustainability through agriculture. Together, we are investing in the future of inclusive growth,” RED Aves emphasized.
Following the agenda setting, the proposed corn enterprise subproject was presented by the IPO Volunteer in tandem with staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Dumingag. The proposal highlighted how the subproject aims to consolidate corn production, ensure efficient post-harvest handling, and establish direct market linkages—key elements in uplifting Subanen agri-entrepreneurs in the region.
RPAB members engaged in a dynamic Q&A session, raising clarifications on operational viability, marketing strategy, and organizational readiness. These discussions underscored the board’s role in refining the initiative, ensuring it aligns with development goals and adheres to safeguards.
The meeting culminated in the drafting and approval of the RPAB resolution, endorsing the subproject for implementation. This endorsement paves the way for the next step—the signing of the Implementation Management Agreement, which will formally launch the enterprise activity on the ground.
The endorsement of the Corn Production, Consolidation, and Marketing Enterprise Subproject signifies more than administrative progress—it represents hope, recognition, and agency for the Subanen people of Dumingag. It is a concrete step toward bridging ancestral heritage with modern agricultural enterprise, built on the foundation of mutual respect, consultation, and shared progress.
As the DA-MIADP continues to partner with indigenous communities across Mindanao, the RPAB remains a vital mechanism for ensuring that every step is grounded in sustainability, inclusivity, and regional impact.
#DA9 #ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas #MIADP #RehiyonNueve #IPsHOPE #Mindanao | Indigenous Peoples’ Harnessing Opportunities for a Progressive Economy
✒️📸 Jajie Jam J. Abergas, MPO | DA-MIADP RPCO IX
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