The Department of Agriculture (DA) recognized the unwavering dedication of the national finalists of the outstanding farmers and fisherfolk during the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda awarding ceremony recently at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
A total of 101 national finalists were honored covering nine major categories and 47 sub-categories, commending individuals and groups who have made exceptional contributions to agriculture and fisheries across the country.
“For five decades, Gawad Saka has stood as a beacon of recognition for those who till our soil and harvest our crops. After the hardships of the pandemic, we gather now—stronger and more determined—to celebrate your victories in the spirit that has carried us through uncertainty,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
The last Gawad Saka awarding ceremony was held in 2020, and the program was temporarily suspended in the succeeding years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Maganda na binalik ito—it serves as an example for others to follow and gives our youth role models to look up to.”
“Maganda na binalik ito—it serves as an example for others to follow and gives our youth role models to look up to,” Tiu Laurel added.
Gawad Saka is the DA’s most prestigious annual award, launched in 1970 to honor outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations in the agriculture and fisheries sectors for their excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices. More than just a recognition program, Gawad Saka promotes the success stories of awardees, provides incentives, and supports the DA’s broader goals for sectoral development.
“This year is especially meaningful as we welcome the 50th year of Gawad Saka—a golden milestone representing five decades of discovery, recognition, and inspiration. In light of this, we made adjustments to our selection process, reflecting our ability to adapt to the times while preserving the integrity of this prestigious search,” Undersecretary for Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, and Rural Credit, and Chairperson of the 50th Gawad Saka, Roger Navarro emphasized.
The categories for the awards are as follows:
· Crops (Rice, Corn, Cassava, Coconut, Sugarcane, High-Value Crops, Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture)
· Livestock (Small Animal, Large Animal, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goat Raiser, Dairy Carabao)
· Fisheries (Aquaculture, Capture Fisheries)
· Institutions I (Farm and Fisherfolk Family, Rural Improvement Club, Farmer or Fisherfolk Organization, Agricultural and Fishery Council, KADIWA Program, and KADIWA ng Pangulo Program Implementer)
· Institutions II (Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, and Local Government Unit)
· Agricultural Scientist and Researcher
· Agricultural Extension Manager and Worker
· Youth (Young Farmer or Fisherfolk and Young Farmer or Fisherfolk Organization)
· Cross-cutting (Agricultural Entrepreneur and Rural Financial Institution)
All regional nominees had undergone a desk evaluation based on the National Technical Committee’s prescribed criteria for each subcategory then followed with field validation to further verify their information.
Also, for each subcategory, there will be a grand winner who will receive a cash prize. The final awarding ceremony will be held in June.
Meanwhile, Rene Delos Reyes, chair of the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Camalig, Albay, and National Finalist for Outstanding PAFC, shared that true service to the people is not measured by salary or titles.
“Hindi biro ang maging isang magsasaka o mangingisda.”
“Hindi biro ang maging isang magsasaka o mangingisda dahil ito ay nangangailangan ng walang kapantay na sakripisyo upang harapin ang init ng araw, tindi ng ulan, at iba pang unos,” Delos Reyes said.
“Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, patuloy kaming tumitindig. Bilang isang boluntaryo sa PAFC, natutunan ko na ang tunay na paglilingkod ay hindi nasusukat sa sweldo o titulo, kundi sa kung paano mo naiaangat ang kapwa magsasaka at mangingisda,” he added.
