By Kenneth Marcos 
In a small upland village where basic services are often out of reach, a single road, a clean water source, or access to farm support can change lives. These simple needs are at the heart of a nationwide push to bring lasting progress to rural communities.
On September 5, 2025, key government agencies came together once again for the 5th meeting of the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) Policy and Advocacy Working Group, led by Deputy Executive Director Julieta Opulencia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).
The NCI-SRD is a strong collaboration among four departments: the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The goal: to reduce rural poverty and improve the quality of life for farmers, fisherfolk, and upland dwellers through coordinated and sustainable development programs.
During the meeting, participants reviewed ongoing initiatives and laid down strategies to further strengthen inter-agency collaboration. These include integrated support for communities in remote barangays where services are fragmented or limited.
“We must continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure that our farmers, fisherfolk, and rural families are not left behind,” Opulencia said, stressing the importance of policy advocacy in addressing long-standing issues such as land use conflicts, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to government services.
The NCI-SRD framework promotes a “whole-of-government” approach, meaning agencies do not work in silos but rather come together with one shared plan for development in targeted areas. This ensures that agriculture, land reform, environmental protection, and local governance all support each other instead of working separately.
The convergence program has already reached various provinces nationwide, delivering projects such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation, capacity-building for farmers’ groups, and forestland management plans. By bringing resources and technical help directly to the communities, the initiative aims to empower rural residents to lift themselves out of poverty.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, as of 2024, rural poverty remains higher compared to urban areas, with most poor families depending on farming and fishing for survival. Programs like the NCI-SRD seek to bridge this gap by ensuring government programs reach the grassroots.
As discussions continue, PCAF and its partner agencies encourage stakeholders—especially local government units, NGOs, and private groups—to support the vision of a more inclusive and coordinated rural development system.
The success of the NCI-SRD lies not only in policy, but in the active cooperation of all sectors to uplift lives at the margins of society.
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