President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the 50th Gawad Saka Awards on Monday, honoring 43 outstanding individuals and institutions from the agriculture and fisheries sectors for their innovation, resilience, and contribution to food security and rural development.
Now in its golden year, the Gawad Saka is the Department of Agriculture’s highest annual recognition program, established in 1970 to spotlight the invaluable efforts of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-based institutions.
In his keynote speech, President Marcos Jr. expressed deep gratitude to the awardees for their dedication to feeding the nation despite the many challenges of agricultural work.
“Thank you for your sacrifice. We know that being a farmer or fisher is not easy—it takes perseverance to not only support your family, but also the entire country,” the President said.
This year’s Gawad Saka covered nine major categories, including:
- Crops (Rice, Corn, Cassava, Coconut, Sugarcane, High-Value Crops, Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture)
- Livestock
- Fisheries (Aquaculture and Capture Fisheries)
- Institutions I (Farm and Fisherfolk Family, Rural Improvement Clubs, Organizations, KADIWA Implementers)
- Institutions II (Local Government Units, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils)
- Agricultural Scientist and Researcher
- Agricultural Extension Manager and Worker
- Youth (Young Farmers or Fisherfolk and their Organizations)
- Cross-Cutting (Agricultural Entrepreneurs and Rural Financial Institutions)
Among the awardees was Arnel Santiago from Isabela, recognized as ‘Outstanding Fisherfolk in Aquaculture.’
“This award is not just for me—it’s for all of us in the farming and fishing communities. I hope it inspires others to continue striving and innovating,” Santiago shared.
Winners received cash prizes and the official Gawad Saka trophy, symbolizing the government’s ongoing commitment to professionalize and uplift the agriculture and aquaculture sectors.
The awarding was held alongside the ‘Ugnayan with Farmers and Fisherfolk’ forum, also attended by President Marcos, to further strengthen collaboration and address key issues in the sector.
📸 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the awarding ceremony for the 50th Gawad Saka at the Department of Agriculture event in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. (PIA 3 Pool)
