President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognizes the vital role and the hardships of the farmers and fishers, emphasizing that they not only feed their own families but the entire country during the 50th Gawad Saka Awarding ceremony: Parangal Para sa Natatanging Magsasaka’t Mangingisda on June 30, 2025, held in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

“Congratulations sa ating mga sikat na magsasaka’t mangingisda dahil binubuhay ninyo ang ating mga kababayan at kayo ang pinakamagaling na magsasaka’t mangingisda. Maraming salamat sa inyong sakripisyo,” said President Marcos.

“Maliit lamang na pagkilala kumpara sa inyong kontribusyon sa progreso ng bawat Pilipino at ng buong Pilipinas,” he added.

During the awarding ceremony, President Marcos assisted by Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. engaged in a dialogue with farmers, emphasizing the importance of modernizing agriculture and encouraging youth participation in the sector.

“Papaano natin pababain ang average age ng ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda? Kailangan natin pumasok sa mga bagong teknolohiya dahil iyon, kailangan natin para bawat ektarya natin mas malaki ang yield. Mas malaki ang ani,” Pres. Marcos said.

Pres. Marcos expressed his gratitude towards their hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering love for fellow Filipinos and the nation.This symbolic event reflects the Marcos administration’s ongoing efforts to elevate agriculture from mere subsistence to enterprise-level farming—driven by innovation, sustainability, and strong institutional support.

The Department recognized 43 outstanding individuals and institutions—including farmers, fishers, researchers, extensionists, youth, organizations and local government units—as national champions. Each awardee received project grants and cash prizes ranging from Php150,000 to Php3 million.

Gawad Saka is the DA’s highest and most prestigious award given to exemplary individuals and groups in agriculture and fisheries for their excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Beyond recognition, it promotes success stories, offers incentives, and supports the DA’s goals for food security, sufficiency, and sustainable development in the sector.

The awardees were carefully selected by a distinguished Board of Judges from the public and private sectors.

The complete list of national winners with their corresponding prizes received:

• Crops Category

Outstanding Rice Cluster: Irrigator’s Association for National Irrigation System (NIS): Upper Sinayawan Farmers Irrigators Association (UPSFIA), Inc. from Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur (Php3,000,000)

Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System (CIS): Badagoy Irrigation Association, Inc. from Magsaysay, Davao del Sur (Php3,000,000)

Outstanding Rice Cluster – Small Water Irrigation System Associations: Association of United Farmers and Irrigators of Duplas from San Juan, La Union (Php1,500,000)

Outstanding Corn Farmer: Ms. Minafe P. Daño from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (Php300,000)

Outstanding Corn Cluster: Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAGUTT MPC) from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (Php2,000,000)

Outstanding Cassava Cluster: Villaluna Multi-purpose Cooperatives from Cauayan, Isabela (Php2,000,000)

Outstanding Coconut Farmer: Ms. Victoria Motril from Tupi, South Cotabato (Php300,000)

Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer – Vegetables: Mr. Jomer M. Balag from Batuan, Bohol (Php250,000)

Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer – Fruits: Mr. Aldrin Q. Mamon from Tupi, South Cotabato (Php250,000)

Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer – Plantation Crops: Ms. Sunshine Genevieve Sacki-Molintas from Tabuk, Kalinga (Php250,000)

Outstanding High-Value Crops Cluster: Lourdes Multi-Purpose Cooperative from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (Php250,000)

Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Macrogarden): Macatabo Farm from Davao City, Davao del Sur (Php500,000)

Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Microgarden): Manga National High School (Integrated- Diversified Organic Farming System Learning Site) from Tagbilaran, Bohol (Php300,000)

• Livestock Category

Outstanding Small Animal Raiser Adopting Integrated Farming System: Mr. Rey C. Duldulao from Luna, Apayao (Php300,000)

Outstanding Large Animal Raiser Adopting Integrated Farming System: Ms. Gemma Chavez from Sariaya, Quezon (Php250,000)

Outstanding Dairy Cattle Raiser: Unified Engineering Workers’ Multipurpose Cooperative from Polomolok, South Cotabato (Php150,000)

Outstanding Goat Raiser: Sta. Cruz Multipurpose Cooperative from Maasim, Sarangani (Php150,000)

Outstanding Dairy Carabao Raiser (Family Module): Mr. Edy Allado from San Agustin, Isabela (Php200,000)

Outstanding Dairy Carabao Raiser (Semi- Commercial Category): Mr. Reymon R. Abara from San Agustin, Isabela (Php200,000)

• Fisheries Category

Outstanding Fisherfolk (Aquaculture): Mr. Arnel R. Santiago from San Mateo, Isabela (Php250,000)

Outstanding Fisherfolk (Capture Fisheries): Mr. Rolando E. Rabang from Bacnotan, La Union (Php250,000)

• Institutions Category

Outstanding Farm and Fisherfolk Family: Obligacion Family from Ligao City, Albay (Php350,000)

Outstanding Rural Improvement Club: Rural Improvement Club – Sta Maria from Alicia, Isabela (Php500,000)

Outstanding Farmer or Fisherfolk Organization: Camarines Sur Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Pili, Camarines Sur (Php500,000)

Outstanding Provincial/Highly Urbanized City/ Independent Component City Agricultural and Fishery Council: Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council – Albay from Camalig, Albay (Php100,000 cash prize and Php500,000 project grant)

Outstanding Municipal/City Agricultural and Fishery Council: City Agricultural and Fishery Council – Bayawan City from Bayawan, Negros Oriental (Php100,000 cash prize and Php500,000 project grant)

Outstanding KADIWA Program (Agri-Fisheries Enterprise): Manuel Guianga & Sirib Growers & Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Davao City, Davao del Sur (Php250,000)

Outstanding KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) Program Implementer: (Local Government Unit Category): Provincial Government of Pangasinan from Lingayen, Pangasinan (Php450,000)

Outstanding City/Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council: Bacnotan Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council from Bacnotan, La Union (Php450,000)

Outstanding Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU): Provincial Government of Bulacan (Php2,000,000)

Outstanding Municipality LGU: Local Government Unit of Polangui, Albay from Polangui, Albay (Php2,000,000)

Outstanding City LGU: Local Government Unit of Ligao, Albay (Php2,000,000)

• Agricultural Scientist and Researcher Category

Outstanding Agricultural Scientist: Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Nueva Ecija (Php250,000 cash prize and Php2,000,000 project grant)

Outstanding Agricultural Researcher: Ms. Vanessa Joy F. Calderon from the DA-Regional Field Office 2 (Php250,000 cash prize and Php2,000,000 project grant)

• Agricultural Extension Manager and Worker Category

Outstanding Agricultural Extension Manager: Ms. Hedie Arsenia R. Marquez from the Municipal LGU-Nagtipunan, Quirino (Php250,000)

Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker: Ms. Jocelyn Ackangan from Nagtipunan, Quirino (Php250,000)

• Youth Category

Outstanding Young Farmer or Fisherfolk: Ms. Geneva S. Ganalon from Bacnotan, La Union (Php250,000)

• Cross-Cutting Category

Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur (Micro Enterprise): Montey’s Food Enterprise of Ms. Ester Domingo from Morong, Bataan (Php250,000)

Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur (Small Enterprise): RP Corpus Sales Enterprises of Mr. Ronaldo and Mrs. Anna Cecilia Corpuz from Pura, Tarlac (Php250,000)

Outstanding Agricultural Entrepreneur (Medium Enterprise): Amanda’s Marine Products of Ms. Amanda Battad from Balanga City, Bataan (Php250,000)

Outstanding Rural Financial Institution (Bank): New Rural Bank of San Leonardo (Nueva Ecija) Inc. from San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija (Php250,000)

Outstanding Rural Financial Institution (Non-Bank): Diffun Saranay Development Cooperative (DISADECO) from Diffun, Quirino (Php250,000)

Outstanding Rural Woman: Sonia S. Padilla from San Miguel, Catanduanes (Php180,000 – Prizes were already received)

(Kristel Joyce L. Merle, DA-AFID)