By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a busy conference hall in Mabalacat City, agriculture planners, regional officers, and experts gathered for five days with one goal: to ensure that government funds for high-value crops will truly benefit Filipino farmers.
From February 9 to 13, 2026, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) took part in the National High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) FY 2027 Plan and Budget Preparation Workshop. The activity aimed to strengthen planning and budgeting for priority commodities and align programs with the Department of Agriculture’s strategic direction and the Philippine Development Plan.
The workshop served as a platform to review and prioritize proposed programs, activities, and projects submitted by regional offices, bureaus, and DA services. Officials said the process promotes a more strategic and results-based allocation of funds, ensuring that limited resources are directed to projects with the highest impact.
Participants included representatives from the HVCDP Central Office and regional focal persons, along with planning and budget officers. Key DA bureaus and attached agencies were also present, such as the Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Philippine Rubber Research Institute. Representatives from the Agricultural and Fisheries Information Division and the National Organic Agriculture Program also joined the discussions.
During the workshop, PCAF presented its FY 2025 policy resolutions adopted by its National Sectoral Committees that relate to HVCDP. The Council also provided updates on actions taken and submitted proposals for collaborative activities to strengthen stakeholder engagement and policy support.
Each region presented its profile and priority interventions. Proposed projects were anchored on initiatives such as the White Revolution and Gulayan sa Barangay, which aim to boost vegetable production and improve food security at the community level. These presentations allowed participants to assess whether proposed programs are responsive to local needs while aligned with national goals.
HVCDP Director Joseph Manicad emphasized the importance of following planning guidelines and harmonizing implementation across regions. Meanwhile, Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Natividad-Caballero highlighted the need to promote innovation, strengthen capacity development, and enhance value addition for high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, cacao, coffee, and rubber.
High-value crops play a major role in increasing farmers’ income and diversifying Philippine agriculture. Proper planning and budgeting are critical to ensure that farmers receive timely support, training, and infrastructure assistance.
The proposals discussed during the workshop will be refined and consolidated into the FY 2027 national program. For farmers and stakeholders, this process represents a step toward a more organized and responsive agricultural system.
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