ARGAO, Cebu — The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas turned over P3 million worth of facilities to the Pestales Agriculture Cooperative on October 13, 2026, enabling the group to process its organic produce and expand protected cultivation of high-value crops.
A Boost for Organic Farming in Argao
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who heads the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, and DA-7 Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez led the turnover ceremony. The package included an agri-processing facility and a greenhouse, both designed to strengthen the cooperative's capacity to add value to its harvest.
Velicaria-Guevarra emphasized that selling raw products limits earnings. She encouraged the cooperative to process its harvest so that when the goods reach the market, they command higher value. The increased income would benefit not only the farmers but also the wider community, she said.
Processing Facility to Add Value
The P2-million processing plant, funded through DA-7's agribusiness and marketing assistance division, will allow the cooperative to produce mushrooms and organic inputs. It will also serve as a hub for seed germination and protected cultivation of high-value organic crops.
Cooperative Chairperson Jenalyn Entoy said the facility would help members improve product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and create more livelihood opportunities. She noted that the cooperative would manage the facilities responsibly and extend their benefits to neighboring farmers and consumers.
Greenhouse for Climate-Resilient Cultivation
The P1.08-million greenhouse comes equipped with a drip irrigation system. It will boost the production of organic vegetables and planting materials through climate-resilient farming methods. The structure shields crops from extreme weather while optimizing water use.
Entoy said the greenhouse would increase the supply of safe, healthy, and organically grown food. It would also contribute to stronger local food security and higher incomes for farmers. The cooperative qualified for the assistance after passing DA evaluations in 2023.
A Cooperative with Deep Roots
Pestales, short for People's Ecosystem for Societal Transformation, Advanced Leadership and Economic Sustainability, began in 2014 with 23 members. It registered as a cooperative in 2016 after raising capital through small fundraising activities. Today, it operates a 3,000-square-meter site with garden, processing, wellness, training, and pasalubong centers.
The cooperative also manages the 6.4-hectare Braveheart Farm in Jampang, Argao, which includes a processing plant, community housing, and a demonstration garden. It is an accredited learning site of the Agricultural Training Institute and a farm school of TESDA. It is also the first Participatory Guarantee System organic certifying body in Cebu province.
National Program Support
The assistance falls under the Organic Agriculture Livelihood Project, which funds community-run organic enterprises. The project is implemented through the National Organic Agriculture Program, created under the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and amended in 2020. The Marcos administration proposed P1 billion for the program in the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
