KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – Thirteen community-based organizations (CBOs) in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region are set to earn a total of P42.6 million after signing contracts with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12.
These contracts designate them as suppliers of goods necessary for the agency’s Cycle 15 Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP).
These CBOs, consisting of farmers, irrigators, and beneficiaries of the 4Ps program, obtained supplier contracts through a process known as Negotiated Procurement-Community Participation (NPCP), with assistance from the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP).
In a recent ceremony at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City, the DSWD, led by Regional Director Loreto Jr. Cabaya, handed the CBOs their award notices as winning bidders to supply rice, assorted vegetables, poultry, eggs, and other requirements for hot meals in the agency’s feeding program.
Cabaya highlighted in his message that through EPAHP and the NPCP modality, organized farmers and CBOs are transforming into businesspeople and traders, thus securing markets for their products.
“The implementation of EPAHP, through capacity-building, capacity activities and technical assistance, empowers the CBOs to actively participate in government procurement processes under the NPCP modality,” Cabaya stated.
“This initiative enables CBOs in the region to become reliable suppliers of institutional markets such as DSWD and other agencies,” he further said.
In a response message, Johnny Tolentino, general manager of the Highland Vegetable Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Inc. (HVFACI), formerly the Tboli Vegetable Farmers Association, expressed gratitude to EPAHP and DSWD for the opportunity to bid for the Cycle 15 SFP.
“I will give my time and ability without hesitation to the families we are helping, especially the children who lack nutrition and good health. I understand that the success of this program depends on our sincere efforts,” Tolentino said.
The Tboli Vegetable Farmers Association, now known as HVFACI, also secured a contract worth P5.264 million for the Cycle 14 SFP. This year, this farmer cooperative signed a P7.11 million contract to supply hot meals for Cycle 15 SFP.
Other CBOs that secured contracts with the DSWD this year include the Alabel Farmers Scientist Association SLPA (P6.38 million), the LADIFA Agriculture Cooperative (P6.68 million), and the Surallah Banga Communal Irrigators Association Inc. (P5.37 million).
These also include the San Emmanuel Food Ventures Cooperative (P4.93 million), Kamada Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (P2.85 million), Tantangan SLPA Consumers Cooperative (2.32 million), Barangay Rubber Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (1.23 million), Sustainable Livelihood Program Beneficiaries Association (385,600), Koronadal City SLPA Consumers Cooperative (340,998.50), and Kablacan Small Farmers Association (136,740).
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, DSWD, and the nongovernmental organization Mahintana Foundation Inc. support these CBOs.
According to the DSWD, goods supplied by these CBOs will provide meals for over 92,000 daycare children in the municipalities of Matalam, Magpet, and Makilala in Cotabato Province; Alabel and Maasim in Sarangani; and Banga, Tboli, Polomolok, Surallah, and Tantangan in South Cotabato, as well as in the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, and Tacurong.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Sangcupan, the EPAHP Regional Project Coordinator, clarified that this initial batch of award notices is just the beginning, as more contracts are being finalized, including one for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) school-based feeding program.
The NPCP is a simplified and streamlined procurement method that enables government agencies to engage directly with community groups, including local farmers, fisherfolk, women’s associations, and others, for the procurement of goods and services.
It is implemented in accordance with Section 11 of Republic Act 11321, known as the Sagip Saka Act of 2019, which mandates that national and local government agencies “directly purchase agricultural and fishery products from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises” to promote farmer and fisherfolk enterprise development.
This is backed by GPPB Resolution No. 18 from 2021, which outlines the rules for conducting negotiated procurement and highlights the importance of involving the community, particularly CBOs.
In 2024, a total of 13 CBOs in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region generated P104 million by providing hot meals and milk for feeding programs operated by the DSWD, the DepEd, and the National Nutrition Council.
They also supplied rice and other food items for persons deprived of liberty in facilities overseen by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
PIA PHOTO
