LIFE UP Mindanao

02/07/2026

LOOK 👀 👇
The TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) Program of DOLE Davao de Oro Provincial Office in Laak, Davao de Oro was successfully implemented, providing temporary employment to 38 farmers from Kidawa Integrated Farmers Association (KIFA) and 44 farmers from Nagkahiusang Maguuma sa Spl. Brgy. Talle (NAMASTA).

The initiative formally commenced with an orientation and profiling session on March 11, 2026. From March 16 to March 26, 2026, the beneficiaries rendered community service through the FAITH (Food Always in the Home) Garden initiative. With the monitoring of the site facilitators, the KIFA and NAMASTA associations separately established and maintained a total of 25 agricultural plots (measuring 1m×20m) to enhance household food security. Additionally, the participants conducted clean-up and waste management activities around the Barangay Hall.

The program successfully culminated on April 17, 2026, with a payout activity where each beneficiary received ₱5,250.00 for their completed work. The participants expressed their gratitude to DOLE XI Davao de Oro, LGUs, and UP Mindanao LIFE Project. At present, the two groups are continually maintaining their FAITH Gardens.

30/06/2026

A Stakeholders’ Forum was successfully conducted last 11 March 2026 in the Conference Hall of the Municipality of Laak, Davao de Oro.

The activity convened partner agencies, local government units, farmer leaders from two farmer-partner associations: Kidawa Integrated Farmers Association (KIFA) and Nagkahiusang Maguuma sa Special Barangay Talle (NAMASTA).

The forum served as a platform to present project milestones, discuss stakeholder feedback, and solidify partnerships. The activity also focused on establishing sustainable mechanisms to ensure the continuity of agricultural and livelihood initiatives in Brgy. Kidawa and Special Brgy. Talle, Laak, Davao de Oro.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our partner institutions present: the Municipal Government of Laak— Sangguniang Bayan, Municipal Agriculturist Office, and Municipal Administrator, PLGU through PAGRO of Davao de Oro, BLGU Kidawa and Spl. Brgy. Talle, TESDA XI Davao de Oro Provincial Office, DSWD Davao de Oro Provincial Office, DOST Davao de Oro Provincial Office, DOLE Davao de Oro Provincial Office, BFAR Davao de Oro Provincial Fisheries Office, Davao De Oro State College, Charlie Company of the 60th IB Philippine Army, and UP Mindanao Land Reservation Management Office.

23/06/2026

LIFE UPDATE:
A Farmer Field School Graduation was held for 39 farmer-graduates of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Spl. Brgy. Talle (NAMASTA) for successfully completing the Farmers Field School in Vegetable Production.

The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from BFAR Davao de Oro PFO, PAGRO of the PLGU of Davao de Oro, MAGRO of the Municipality of Laak, TESDA Davao de Oro Provincial Office, the 60th IB Philippine Army Charlie Company, BLGU of Spl. Brgy. Talle, and the UP Mindanao Office of the Chancellor, represented by the UPMin LRMO.

NAMASTA has entered the initial stages of its chosen livelihood enterprise, focusing on vegetable and tilapia production. Institutional partners offered their continued support to NAMASTA as they venture into their chosen livelihood. Initial farm tools and feeds were also turned over to the association.

We look forward to NAMASTA's continued growth and success!

18/06/2026

LIFE Updates | Market Exposure Activity of Maguindanaon-T’boli Diversified Agriculture in Polomolok Public Market on June 18, 2026

The Market Exposure Activity of the MTDAA farmer partners was successfully conducted on June 18, 2026 in Polomolok Public Market. This activity is part of their months-long Farmer Field School on vegetable production. The farmer partners interacted with the vendors and business owners to gain practical knowledge on marketing their produce, determining prices, and identifying in-demand crops.

The LIFE UP Mindanao coordinated with the Municipal Local Government of Polomolok to conduct the activity. The activity was made successful through the invaluable support of the MLGU Polomolok through the Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office, active participation of the farmer partners and vendors, and the facilitation of the LIFE site facilitators, Mr. Mohamer Macabangin and Mr. Evjar Sandigan.

09/06/2026

LIFE Updates | DOST-PCAARRD conducts monitoring visit to LIFE Project site in Banga and T'boli municipalities, South Cotabato

On May 21, 2026, the DOST-PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, together with the LIFE 2 Project 1 team, conducted monitoring visits of the project sites in South Cotabato.

The team visited Ala Farmers Power Association (AFPA) and Maguindanaon-T’boli Diverisified Agriculture Association (MTDAA) in Barangay Lampari, Banga, South Cotabato and Barangay Datal Bob, T’boli, South Cotabato, respectively. The AFPA provided updates on their tilapia production, recent training on goat raising, and correspondence with various agencies regarding assistance that they could avail. The team visited their tilapia and banana farms and the planned area for goat production. Currently, they have 2000 tilapia fingerlings in their pond and 1000 hills of banana, 500 lakatan and 500 cardava.

After visiting the AFPA, the team visited the MTDAA learning hall and demo farm. The association provided updates and expressed their interests for their association. Various crops are currently planted in their demo farm including eggplant, okra, sitaw, ampalaya, and the sweet potato of new varieties from the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Themonitoring visit was participated by the farmer partners, TTPD representatives Dr. Diana Rose P. Cabello and Ms. Maria Althea T. Bautista, UP Mindanao Program Leader/Project Leader Prof. Aurelia Luzviminda A. Gomez, Project 1 staff Ms. Hazel Pergis-Lozada and Ms. Johanna Pearl Tejada, Zamboanga Sibugay site facilitators Mr. Kristoffer Nasam and Mr. Tobias Niño Ballener, Maguindanao del Norte site facilitators Mr. Johaille M. Hassan and Samanodin K. Miskinan, and South Cotabato site facilitators Mr. Evjar D. Sandigan and Mr. Mohamer K. Macabangin.




Photo Credit: Maria Althea T. Bautista/DOST-PCAARRD TTPD

09/06/2026

LIFE Updates | DOST-PCAARRD monitoring visit of LIFE Project 1 sites on May 20, 2026 in Maguindanao del Norte

On May 20, 2026, the DOST-PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, together with the LIFE 2 Project 1 team, conducted monitoring visits of the project sites in Maguindanao del Norte.

The team visited Bungabong Farmers Association (BFA) and Namuken Farmers Association (NFA) in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte. The farmer partners expressed gratitude to the assistance provided by the project and provided updates on the challenges they have encountered and the current situation of their demo farm. Some individual farms of BFA members were also visited. Farmer partners have reported that many of them have started vegetable farming on their own and were able to gain income from their produce, consequently supporting their daily needs.

After visiting the two sites, the team visited the Municipal Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) Office. They discussed updates on the project implementation and assistances that the MMO could extend to the partners, especially as the project approaches its duration end.

The site visit was participated by the farmer partners, TTPD representatives Dr. Diana Rose P. Cabello and Ms. Maria Althea T. Bautista, UP Mindanao Program Leader/Project Leader Prof. Aurelia Luzviminda A. Gomez, Project 1 staff Ms. Hazel P. Lozada and Ms. Johanna Pearl Tejada, Zamboanga Sibugay site facilitators Mr. Kristoffer Nasam and Mr. Tobias Niño Ballener, and Maguindanao del Norte site facilitators Mr. Johaille M. Hassan and Samanodin K. Miskinan.




Photo Credit: Maria Althea T. Bautista/DOST-PCAARRD TTPD

09/06/2026

LIFE Updates | DOST-PCAARRD monitoring visit of LIFE Project 1 sites on May 18-19, 2026 in Zamboanga Sibugay

On May 18-19, 2026, the DOST-PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, together with the LIFE 2 Project 1 team, conducted monitoring visits of the project sites in Zamboanga Sibugay.

On Day 1, they visited Taglibas Bualan Life Farmers Association (TBLFA) in Barangay Taglibas, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. During which, the Farmer Field School (FFS) Graduation of the TBLFA took place. The team, along with various institutions, witnessed the graduation ceremony of the farmer partners in their outstanding efforts in participating in the months long FFS. The farmer partners shared messages and impressions, and the partner institutions also offered commitment and inspirational messages to the association.

After the FFS Graduation Ceremony, the team also conducted a courtesy call with DOST Provincial S&T Director - Zamboanga Sibugay Ms. Jennifer A. Pidor in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

On Day 2, the partner association visited is the Datu Tumanggong Life Farmers Association (DATULIFA) in Barangay Datu Tumanggong, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. They visited the demo farm and some individual farms of the DATULIFA farmers. The farmer partners applied their learnings in their own backyard gardens. They reported that they have harvested and have consumed their products, and some were shared or sold to their neighbors.

The site visits were conducted by TTPD representatives Dr. Diana Rose P. Cabello and Ms. Maria Althea T. Bautista, UP Mindanao Program Leader/Project Leader Prof. Aurelia Luzviminda A. Gomez, and UP Mindanao Project 1 Zamboanga Sibugay site facilitators Mr. Kristoffer Nasam and Mr. Tobias Niño Ballener.




Photo Credit: Maria Althea T. Bautista/DOST-PCAARRD TTPD

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

25/05/2026

LIFE Updates | Farmer Field School Graduation of Taglibas Buwalan Life Farmers Association (TBLFA)

The farmer partners, Taglibas Buwalan Life Farmers Association (TBLFA), completed their Farmer Field School (FFS) Sessions on Vegetable Production. A graduation ceremony was conducted to recognize the farmers' and institutional partners' efforts for the successful implementation of the FFS. The activity was held on May 18, 2026 in Brgy. Taglibas, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Various institutional partners and the funding agency (DOST-PCAARRD) witnessed the event along with the implementing team.