Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative

04/06/2026

📢 BIG NEWS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BENGUET! 📢

The Community Leaders Formation Program (CLFP) is scaling up for long-term sustainability! We are thrilled to announce that the foundational course for community leaders has officially transitioned into Component 1: Values and Leadership of the newly established Cordillera CivicAdemy!

The Benguet State University (BSU) will continue its dedicated implementation for learners in Benguet. This is backed by the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative, DILG-CAR, and our committed Civil Society Organization (CSO) partners.

If you are an officer, personnel, or representative of a Benguet-based CSO, this is your opportunity to build advanced capacities in participatory governance and strategic community leadership!

Cordillera CivicAdemy registration is OPEN—and the fee for the 1st Batch is COMPLETELY WAIVED BUT SLOTS ARE LIMITED!

PROGRAM DETAILS:
• Modality: Face-to-Face
• Duration: Seven (7) Saturdays for Component 1 (June 13 to July 25, 2026)
• Host Institutions for Component 1: Benguet State University (BSU)
• Target Learners: Officers, personnel, or representatives of Baguio and Benguet-based civil society organizations.

HOW TO APPLY:
• STEP 1: Check the Eligibility Criteria, Registration Requirements, and the Forms for submission. You can secure the forms’ physical copies at the DILG-CAR Regional Office, download them via http://bit.ly/2026CordilleraCivicAdemy-Forms, or simply scan the QR Code on the last photo.
• STEP 2: Submit your signed forms and documentary attachments to the DILG-CAR Regional Office, or email them to [email protected].

⏳ DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: JUNE 08, 2026
Be part of the Cordillera CivicAdemy’s inaugural batch of learners and join us in shaping the next generation of empowered community leaders!

For queries, kindly contact the Registration Committee:
DILG - Mr. CJ Devera at 0936-888-3930 or 0955-530-6760
Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative - Ms. Cleevimae S. Oyan at 0919-680-1941

28/05/2026

📣 CALLING ALL CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS IN THE CORDILLERAS! 📣

Cordillera CivicAdemy registration is OPEN—and the fee for the 1st Batch is COMPLETELY WAIVED!

PROGRAM DETAILS:
• Modality: Face-to-Face
• Duration: Seven (7) Saturdays for Component 1 (June 13 to July 25, 2026)
• Host Institutions for Component 1: Saint Louis University (SLU) and Benguet State University (BSU)
• Target Learners: Officers, personnel, or representatives of Baguio and Benguet-based civil society organizations.

HOW TO APPLY:
• STEP 1: Check the Eligibility Criteria, Registration Requirements, and the Forms for submission. You can secure the forms’ physical copies at the DILG-CAR Regional Office, download them via http://bit.ly/2026CordilleraCivicAdemy-Forms, or simply scan the QR Code on the last photo.
• STEP 2: Submit your signed forms and documentary attachments to the DILG-CAR Regional Office, or email them to [email protected].

⏳ DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: JUNE 08, 2026
Be part of the Cordillera CivicAdemy’s inaugural batch of learners and join us in shaping the next generation of empowered community leaders!

For queries, kindly contact the Registration Committee:
DILG - Mr. CJ Devera at 0936-888-3930 or 0955-530-6760
Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative - Ms. Cleevimae S. Oyan at 0919-680-1941
Baguio City People’s Council – Ms. Marlene B. De Castro at 0918-910-2124

23/05/2026

𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦!
(𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)

At Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative (PAC), we believe in fostering hands-on learning and community civic-mindedness. This past cohort brought together brilliant minds from across the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region, including Political Science majors from the University of Baguio, Psychology majors from King’s College of the Philippines, and National Service Training Program - Civic Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS) students from the University of the Philippines Baguio.

Through collaborative projects and real-world application, these students have left an impact on our advocacy cooperative. We wish them the absolute best in their academic and professional journeys ahead!

17/05/2026

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

Following last week’s May 10 Crisis Consultation, we have officially submitted our co-created policy proposals to the Office of Senator Pangilinan.

Before anything else, thank you to our online community! Your quick shares on such short notice helped ensure the consultation was well-attended. We are immensely grateful to the municipal legislators of Benguet, the Vice-Mayor of Tinoc, Ifugao, the dedicated research teams from Benguet State University and UP Baguio, the delegation from the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council - Cordillera Administrative Region (RAFC-CAR), our regional CSO partners (the Consortium of Siged Farmer Associations and Responsible Markets and Aiur Technologies Corp PH), and every concerned citizen who showed up. This unified agenda is a result of your collective presence and commitment.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our young leaders and advocates from both within and outside government—specifically Kelly Denn Tomas and Memory Nehyeban, respectively. Thank you for closely working with the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative and our youth volunteers throughout the co-creation process, ensuring that the diverse voices of our stakeholders are genuinely represented. We are equally grateful to Maria Lourie Victor for providing invaluable guidance in navigating the complex dynamics of national legislation.

On May 12, the position paper—backed by a resolution from the Philippine Councilors League-Benguet Chapter calling for an immediate vegetable import moratorium—was successfully handed over at the Senate.

Right after the submission on the same day, we also met with indigenous peoples advocate Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Jr. to build vital bicameral support for the agricultural sector.

We are pushing for four major national reforms for the highland vegetable value chain:

1. 𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙢 to protect local farm-gate prices from devastating import shocks.

2. 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮-𝙡𝙚𝙙/𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 to influence farmer's behavior from experience-based "jackpot farming" to scientific crop forecasting to prevent supply gluts.

3. 𝘿𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨 to secure specialized funding specifically tailored to highland agriculture.

4. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙙-𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙪𝙗𝙨 to build infrastructure between farms and major markets to eliminate spoilage and handle excess supply.

While these national proposals are now in motion, our attending local legislators from Benguet and Tinoc, Ifugao remain firmly committed to driving corresponding policies at the municipal and provincial levels.

The data is clear, the solutions are ready, and the advocacy continues! //

Design and Layout: Cleevi Oyan
Documentation Support: Marjorie Lestino, Junel Langaoen Wacnisen, Valery Binay-an Bugtong
Photo Credits: Kelly Denn Venancio Tomas and The Mountain Collegian of Benguet State University

08/05/2026

🚨URGENT: CRISIS CONSULTATION & LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SETTING 🚨

The challenges facing our highland vegetable farmers have reached a breaking point. We cannot rely on short-term fixes for systemic problems. It is time to secure the future of our agriculture through long-term legislative solutions and evidence-based policy.

We are calling on all key stakeholders in Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province to join this critical coordinated effort. This is not just a meeting—it is a strategic session to draft the legislative roadmap for our farming communities.

🤝 COORDINATED LEADERSHIP
This urgent consultation is facilitated by:
The Philippine Councilors League (PCL) – Benguet Chapter
Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative (PAC)

Together, we are bridging the gap between local governance, grassroots advocacy, and academic research to create a unified front for our farmers.

📌 SESSION DETAILS
🗓️ Date: May 10, 1:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet
🔗 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/VDbownA5cUcyuX5i7

Your participation is vital. Let us ensure that the voice of the highland farmer is heard in the halls of our local government units.

03/05/2026

The Highland Gulay Rescue Buy initiative successfully concluded its run in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, reaching a total distribution of nearly 1.449 tons of fresh produce across the city's premier agricultural institutions. Through the collective generosity of employees from Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech - 480 kg), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice - 421 kg), Central Luzon State University (CLSU - 351 kg), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources -
National Freshwater Technology Center (BFAR-NFTC - 165 kg), and Philippine Carabao Center (PCC - 82 kg), the program provided vital market support to our highland farmers.

Held on April 30, 2026, the distribution was attended by key partners who witnessed the initiative's impact firsthand. Notable attendees included Memory I. Nehyeban (Proponent of Harvest and Hope), Alvin A. Abuan (Manager of Benguet Business Society Inc.), and farmer-representatives from the Cropzone Agriculture Cooperative (CZAC), representing the FCA producer-members of the Consortium of Siged Farmer Associations and Responsible Markets (COSFARM).

This successful leg was made possible through the seamless coordination of Jayson C. Berto (CLSU Information Officer), Ana Marie B. Berto (PhilRice Science Research Specialist), and Atty. Joahna G. Goyagoy (PCC Legal Officer) with the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative, the lead convenor of COSFARM. We extend our deepest gratitude to the entire Muñoz science community for their overwhelming solidarity and commitment to our local agricultural workforce. // CS Oyan

30/04/2026

We commend local leaders who use data to shape how they help their constituents. It is possible when we believe and we do our part to assert for what is right.

Grateful 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Yesterday, Atok vegetable farmers with the assistance of OMAg and other volunteers, successfully consolidated vegetables for our rescue-buy activity—an effort that aims to protect farmers from selling below production cost.

Through the unending support of Mr. Harvey Keh of McBride PET Corp., Program Manager of the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation’s Young Leaders for Good Governance, Atok team was able to secure an order from McBride PET Corp. McBride will distribute the vegetables to its employees. 🌹

Kuya Harvey also connected us with the Quezon City Government Unit. QC committed to buy vegetables from Atok in the next coming weeks
salamaaat po talagaa 😭

Yesterday's consolidated vegetables include:
• Cabbage – 3,190 kilos @ Php30.00/kilo
•Wombok - 2,000 kilos @30.00/kilo
• Chayote – 2,025 kilos @30.00/kilo
• Tomato – 1,312.50 kilos @35.00/kilo
• Broccoli – 1,350 kilos @35.00/ kilo
These were sourced from our hardworking farmers across different barangays:
• Cabbage – Poblacion and Cattubo
• Tomato – Naguey and Pasdong, & Nearby Communities
• Broccoli – Paoay
• Chinese Cabbage – Cattubo
• Chayote – Abiang and Poblacion

The pricing was inspired by the advocacy of the Consortium of Siged Farmer Associations and Responsible Markets (COSFARM), whose mission is simple but powerful: to secure farmers' livelihoods by buying safe food at prices that reflect the true cost of production.

Our gratitude to COSFARM for generously lending their production cost computations, which served as our basis for ensuring that vegetable prices during rescue buys should never fall below production costs. This was important because we wanted our pricing to be data-driven, transparent, and fair— on the real experiences of farmers.

Hearing from an amazing leader Ms Betty Listino of Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative, "Our farmers are managers of the land they cultivate, whose labor deserves not only cost recovery, but also rightful salary."

Always thankful to McBride PET Corp., and Quezon City Government Unit for understanding that these prices were not arbitrary. Both of them, our partners, choose not to negotiate our prices downward but instead asked for our basis which is the production cost.

Thank you to LGU for the support, and to our Office of the Municipal Agriculturist for the coordination and consolidation. Thank you to all barangays, farmer-partners, transport teams (Mr Danny Bulasao) and everyone who helped move this effort forward.

There were challenges during the first delivery, some were manageable and some are valuable lessons. We hope to improve succeeding deliveries by strengthening consistency in commitments, transparency in finances, accountability, and standardization of guidelines.

Let us also continue to emphasize the importance data-driven/ evidence-based decisons, teamwork, and of taking care of our partners and stakeholders—old and new—because sustainable solutions are built on trust, consistency, and shared purpose.

As one of your Young, LGBT++, and Indigenous leaders, I continue to believe that anyone-everyone can lead in any way they can. This started because someone reminded me that leadership does not require a higher position—it requires the courage to respond, and that it is always possible.

Please continously coordinate with your Barangay, or OMAg, as we prepare for Quezon City Government Unit's order for the next coming weeks.

For our farmers.For Atok.For fair prices.

Agbiyag! ✊

06/04/2026

Small steps in leadership, big leaps for the community!

Join us this Thursday as we celebrate the Inaugural Class of the Community Leaders Formation Program (CLFP)!

Watch the highlights of their journey—sharpening skills, building partnerships, and committing to a more inclusive and sustainable society. Let’s honor the passion and hard work of our newest community-based leaders. 👏✨

📺 Tune in for the Highlights:
🗓️ Thursday, April 9
🕑 2:00 PM
🔗 Facebook Live @ Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative

The CLFP is a multi-sectoral partnership focused on civic education. The inaugural program is a collaboration between BSU's College of Social Sciences, College of Public Administration and Governance, and International Relations Office. This academic support is complemented by individual volunteers, with community mobilization led by PAC and the Benguet Business Society, Inc. (BBSI).

The CLFP is a multi-sectoral partnership focused on civic education. The inaugural program is a collaboration between BSU's College of Social Sciences, College of Public Administration and Governance, and International Relations Office. This academic support is complemented by individual volunteers, with community mobilization led by PAC and the Benguet Business Society, Inc. (BBSI).

03/03/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝟑𝟏 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐋𝐅𝐏 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥; 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝟐 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — Thirty-one community-based learners officially transitioned from learners to leaders for change as the Community Leaders Formation Program (CLFP) celebrated its inaugural graduation at the BSU-International Relations Office Function Hall on February 21, 2026.

The graduation marks a milestone for the CLFP “field school,” an intensive journey designed for officers of community-based organizations. From August to November 2025, the cohort navigated a rigorous curriculum of face-to-face lectures and practical field exercises to turn civic education into community action.

The event featured a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Benguet State University (BSU) and the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative (PAC), formalizing a partnership dedicated to sustaining the program's long-term impact. BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted the critical role of the learners' re-entry plans in ensuring that their learning translates into tangible community benefits. He was joined in the signing by PAC General Manager Rhea Loncio, with key witnesses including the heads of the implementing offices, Dean Stanley F. Anongos, Jr. of the BSU College of Social Sciences (CSS); Dean Julie M. Binaldo-Velasco of the College of Public Administration (CPAG); Director Rex John G. Bawang of the International Relations Office (IRO); and PAC Board Chairperson Betty C. Listino.

A central highlight of the event was the pinning ceremony and the awarding of certificates, symbolizing the graduates’ commitment to implement their action plans. In addition to honoring the 31 learners, the program presented certificates of recognition to the resource persons, volunteer facilitators, and sponsors who made the initiative possible. Plaques of appreciation were also awarded to the program's institutional partners, acknowledging the collective effort required to bring this multi-sectoral vision to life.

The inaugural cohort represented a diverse sectors of society, with six learners offering testimonials on the program's impact. These representatives included farmers' association officers Charlton Datu and Sanches S. Lid-ayan, municipal CSO desk officer of Atok Esther Biniahan, DepEd educator Chenny Fay Saltin, NGO representative Lea Angeles, women’s livelihood advocate Josie B. Boleyley, and Barangay Local Government Unit representative Froynalyn D. Datu. Their stories underscored the program's efforts in strengthening local governance and multi-sectoral collaboration.

Looking toward the future, the program received significant pledges for regional replication. These included Annie Caguia of the Baguio City Association of Private Schools (BCAPS); students of NSTP from the University of the Philippines Baguio; Christian Joseph De Vera of the DILG-CAR, recognizing the CLFP as a component of the CSO Academy initiative; and community-based advocate Johara T. Balang. Their collective support ensures the program’s mission of civic empowerment will reach more communities across the region.

The CLFP remains a collaborative effort involving BSU-CSS, BSU-CPAG, BSU-IRO, and PAC. The program is designed to enhance the skills of community leaders, empower educators to integrate leadership into their curricula, and mentor future advocates. Building on this inaugural success, enrollment for the second batch begins this March, with the official program launch scheduled for April 2026. // Azy D. Dio-as, Jhemma Leane C. Manilang, and Mark F. Padkiw | BA Political Science Interns, University of Baguio

Photo by Shandy O. Espenido and Joice Ann Salazar I UP Baguio NSTP-CWTS students

20/12/2025

Holiday Notice from Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative

Please be advised that our offices will be closed from December 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026, for the holiday break.

All regular operations, including the mental health services at our DIWA Center, will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

We wish everyone a restful and meaningful holiday season!