27 LGUs join league promoting organic agriculture in PH

ILOILO CITY (Dec. 6) – The League of Organic Agriculture Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces of the Philippines (LOAMCP Philippines) through its National President, Mayor Rommel Arnado of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, administered an oath-taking ceremony for its 27 new local government unit (LGU) members Thursday during the 12th General Assembly and Membership Orientation Program at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, this city.

The new members from Luzon are the municipalities of Malasiqui, Pangasinan; Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur; San Jacinto, Pangasinan; Mapandan, Pangasinan; Victoria, Tarlac; Cabugao, Ilocos Sur; San Ildefonso, Bulacan; and the city of Mabalacat, Pampanga.

From the Visayas islands, the new members are the municipalities of Janiuay, Iloilo; Oton, Iloilo; Siquijor, Siquijor; Tuburan, Cebu; Tubungan, Iloilo; Marbaza, Antique;and the cities of Kabankalan and Iloilo.

From Mindanao, the new members include Banaybanay, Davao Oriental; Salvador, Lanao del Norte; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; Tantangan, South Cotabato; Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental; Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte; Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte; Placer, Surigao del Norte; and the cities of Cotabato, Bislig, and Oroquieta.

“For the new LGU members, LOAMCP Philippines is committed to provide information and training support as they venture into organic agriculture. We are doing our part to contribute to the global goals on food security and ending poverty,” said Arnado.

LOAMCP Philippines is a non-profit, non-government organization composed of local chief executives of municipalities, cities and provinces aiming to promote sustainable organic agriculture development in the country. It organizes a regular general assembly to provide a forum for sharing of best practices and new learnings as well as latest trends and important developments and solutions on organic agriculture.

To date, the League has 168 members and continues to invite more local chief executives (LCEs) and LGUs. It is being supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Earlier this year, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año issued a Memorandum Circular (MC 2019-70) directing city and municipal mayors to become a member of the League.

As stated in the DILG Memorandum, “All local chief executives are directed to become members of the LOAMCP. The participation and support of all LGUs to this endeavor are integral in pursuing sustainable organic agriculture in the country.”