ARISE Inc.

10/09/2026

ARISE–SDG ALIGNMENT

Advancing Rural Innovation and Sustainable Enterprises (ARISE) translates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into community-based, practical, and locally owned solutions. Its work connects sustainable livelihoods, environmental protection, innovation, renewable energy, and inclusive governance.

ARISE contributes to the SDGs by:
• Reducing poverty and promoting decent work (SDGs 1 & 8) through sustainable livelihood and enterprise development for rural communities, farmers, and MSMEs.
• Advancing food security and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) through permaculture, crop diversification, soil regeneration, composting, and resilient food systems.
• Promoting clean water and renewable energy (SDGs 6 & 7) through water conservation, catchment systems, and appropriate renewable-energy solutions.
• Supporting innovation and sustainable enterprises (SDGs 9 & 12) by transforming local resources and agricultural waste into productive and marketable products.
• Strengthening climate and environmental resilience (SDGs 13 & 15) through climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, and resource conservation.
• Building inclusive and resilient communities (SDGs 5, 10 & 11) by ensuring meaningful participation of women, farmers, MSMEs, and marginalized communities in development processes.
• Promoting good governance and partnerships (SDGs 16 & 17) through community participation, policy advocacy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making.

From Global Goals to Local Action

ARISE believes that the SDGs become meaningful when translated into real improvements in people's lives and communities.
Its development pathway is:
Community Needs → Capacity Building → Local Innovation → Sustainable Enterprises → Resilient Livelihoods → Environmental Stewardship → Inclusive Governance → Sustainable Communities

ARISE seeks to transform local challenges into opportunities, local resources into sustainable enterprises, and communities into active partners and leaders of their own development.

08/09/2026

ARISE Inc. Executive Director Ron Magbuhos Papag of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) served as a resource speaker during the International Literacy Day 2026 Webinar, organized by the International Relations Officers (IRO) Community-NCR, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) NCR, and the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNA Philippines).

He presented “Linking Literacy with Education, Lifelong Learning, Community Empowerment, and Good Governance,” highlighting that literacy goes beyond the ability to read and write. It is about building the capacity of people and communities—and OUR collective capacity—to understand our realities, learn continuously, organize, participate, advocate, and shape our own development and future.

Strengthening literacy means strengthening our capacity to act.

When knowledge becomes action, learning becomes empowerment, and empowered communities become active partners in building inclusive, democratic, resilient, and sustainable communities.

09/08/2026

SULONG LOKAL: MSME AND CONSUMER POWER CONSULTATION
Confronting the High Cost of Electricity

ARISE Inc. Executive Director Ron Magbuhos Papag facilitated the Sulong Lokal: MSME and Consumer Power Consultation—Confronting High Electricity Rates, bringing together representatives from Negosyo Advocates, SUKI Consumer Network, PROPEL (a network of progressive engineers), Maginhawa Food Community (MFC), and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to discuss the growing impact of high electricity costs on Filipino consumers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The consultation discuss the economic and social impacts of high electricity costs on consumers and MSMEs, as well as concerns over the failure of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to deliver affordable and accessible electricity. Participants called for a comprehensive review and repeal of EPIRA, together with reforms to government laws and policies that contribute to the continuing high cost of electricity.

Consumers and MSMEs also called for the removal of onerous and excessive charges, including system loss charges, and the scrapping of the 12% VAT on electricity. They likewise called for the nationalization of the power industry and the passage of the People’s Just Energy Transition Law as an alternative to a fossil-fuel-dominated power system.

They emphasized the need for a people-centered energy transition that advances sustainability without compromising food security and protects the rights, livelihoods, and welfare of farmers and Indigenous Peoples.

Negosyo Advocates President Joy C. Cerrafon opened the consultation by presenting the organization’s survey and sharing a comparative perspective on how high electricity costs affect MSMEs under the privatized and deregulated Philippine energy sector versus a Southeast Asian country where the power industry has not been fully privatized.

The discussion was enriched by the experiences of Chef Jerry of Laiya Gourmet, Jules Guiang, President of Maginhawa Food Community, and Ms. Carol Thor, General Manager/Owner of Enlightened Enterprise, who shared the realities faced by businesses dealing with high electricity costs.

Technical and policy perspectives were provided by Atty. Cristina Yambot-Tanseco, Head of the IBP Human Rights Committee; Engr. Francis Quintana, Advocacy Officer of PROPEL; and Amihan Mabalay of the SUKI Consumer Network.

Photos: Negosyo Advocates

01/08/2026

Tan-Awan Farm and Eco Park, a learning farm of ARISE Inc. —demonstrates practical, sustainable farming practices that support climate resilience and a zero-waste, self-sustaining farm ecosystem.

27/07/2026

Tan-Awan Farm & Eco Park: ARISE Inc.'s Learning Farm

Tan-Awan Farm and Eco Park serves as Learning Farm of Advancing Rural Innovations and Sustainable Enterprise (ARISE), Inc. It functions as a center for demonstration, innovation, research, and capacity building, showcasing sustainable agriculture, regenerative farming, climate-smart technologies, renewable energy, and agribusiness development.

22/07/2026

02/07/2026

MSME Framework and Pathways Toward Renewable and Clean Energy
(Presented during Integrated Bar of the Philippines-IBP Multi-Sectoral Caucus on the Energy Crisis)

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the Philippine economy, accounting for 99.6% of registered businesses and employing around two-thirds of the workforce. Yet many MSMEs continue to face high and volatile electricity costs, periodic power disruptions, and limited access to financing for clean-energy technologies. These challenges raise operating expenses, reduce productivity, and weaken the competitiveness of enterprises, particularly those in food processing, manufacturing, retail, cold storage, and other energy-intensive sectors.

Through the Energy Cluster of Negosyo Advocates (NA), we advance a people-centered, just, and sustainable renewable energy transition. We promote clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, and distributed energy systems as solutions that can lower long-term energy costs, improve reliability, and strengthen MSME resilience. At the same time, we advocate for an energy transition that builds local manufacturing, supports genuine MSME development, and advances national industrialization.

Our framework calls for the development and local production of renewable-energy technologies and components; affordable and accessible clean-energy financing; fair pricing and regulation of electricity rates and renewable-energy equipment; and policies that prioritize local enterprises, workers, farmers, women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, host communities, and marginalized areas. We further support meaningful consultation and active participation of MSMEs and communities in energy planning, local ownership and control of renewable-energy resources, and the creation of green, safe, stable, and dignified jobs.

For NA and ARISE Inc., the success of the energy transition should not be measured only by the number of solar panels, wind turbines, or megawatts installed, nor by the amount of investment attracted. It must be measured by whether it advances national development and enables MSMEs and Filipino communities to live more secure, empowered, sustainable, and sovereign lives.

29/06/2026

ARISE Inc. and Tan-Awan Farm & Eco Park Conduct Contour Farming Orientation

ARISE Inc., in partnership with Tan-Awan Farm and Eco Park, conducted a short orientation on Contour Farming, a sustainable land management practice that involves cultivating crops along the natural contours of sloping land. By following the land's natural elevation, contour farming helps reduce soil erosion, improve water infiltration, conserve soil moisture, and enhance long-term farm productivity while protecting the environment.

The orientation introduced farmers, agricultural practitioners, and other interested participants to the principles, benefits, and practical applications of contour farming as a climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practice. Following the orientation, participants engaged in a hands-on field demonstration where they identified the land's contour lines and installed markers to establish the contour layout for future planting and soil conservation measures.

Tan-Awan Farm & Eco Park serves as the Learning Farm of ARISE Inc. in Southern Tagalog, showcasing innovative, climate-smart, and sustainable agricultural technologies. The farm provides a venue for experiential learning, knowledge exchange, and the demonstration of best practices that promote resilient farming systems, environmental stewardship, and inclusive rural development. Through activities such as this orientation, the Learning Farm continues to empower farmers and local communities with practical knowledge and skills that contribute to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

29/06/2026

17/06/2026

Tan-Awan Farm & Eco Park X ARISE Inc.

One of the core pillars of ARISE Inc. is piloting and innovation, developing, testing, and documenting good practices in agriculture and manufacturing. Equally important to us is sharing these lessons and experiences with farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote sustainable and inclusive development.

For this reason, establishing the Tan-Awan Farm and Eco Park as a learning farm is a key priority. It serves as a dynamic venue where farmers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and other stakeholders can come together to exchange ideas, share experiences, showcase innovations, and learn from one another. Through this collaborative space, we aim to strengthen local capacities, encourage the adoption of best practices, and foster innovation-driven rural and enterprise development.