Shared Action for South BonPen Development: A Turning Point for Quezon’s Southern Frontier

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San Pablo City, Laguna — In the far reaches of Quezon province, where the lush green of coconut plantations stretches endlessly toward the horizon, lies the South Bondoc Peninsula (South BonPen). This vast and fertile expanse—comprising San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Mulanay, Catanauan, Buenavista, and Macalelon—represents 19% of the province’s land area. Yet, despite its natural wealth and hardworking communities, South BonPen continues to be haunted by poverty rates that remain stubbornly in the double digits.

Here, agriculture is life itself. Families rise and rest with the rhythm of their coconut harvests, with smallholder farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries forming the backbone of the region’s economy. But the struggles are steep: inadequate access to capital, fragile cooperative structures, and insufficient basic services hold back what should be a thriving agricultural heartland.

It is against this backdrop of resilience and hardship that the South Bondoc Peninsula Stakeholder Meeting convened on August 26, 2025, in San Pablo City, Laguna. The gathering, organized by the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) in partnership with Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (KATARUNGAN), signaled a new chapter of shared action, one rooted in the belief that progress requires both solidarity and innovation.

Building Partnerships for Change

The meeting was more than a discussion—it was a convergence of visions. Agrarian reform organizations, microfinance leaders, development institutions, and government agencies sat around the same table, confronting old challenges with renewed determination.

The goal: to strengthen Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) cooperatives, enhance enterprise development, and integrate services across health, education, and capacity-building. Central to this effort is aligning with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) of the Philippine Coconut Authority, a government roadmap designed to uplift coconut farmers through funding, technical assistance, and enterprise opportunities.

For farmers, this alignment promises not just survival, but the possibility of long-term growth.

“Lupa ay Simula, Hindi Wakas”

KATARUNGAN Secretary-General Danny Carranza offered a sober reminder during his presentation:

“Ang pamamahagi ng lupa ay mahalagang hakbang ngunit hindi wakas ng laban laban sa kahirapan.”

(The distribution of land is a vital step, but it is not the end of our fight against poverty.)

Carranza’s words resonated with the struggles of countless farming families whose journey to progress goes beyond land ownership. It is about building institutions, accessing fair markets, and ensuring that cooperatives have the strength to stand on their own.

Leaders of Change

The weight of the moment was underscored by the presence of key figures whose influence spans decades of development work:

Ernesto Garilao, former Agrarian Reform Secretary, whose legacy continues to shape rural reform.

Rafael Lopa, President of ASA Philippines Foundation, bringing microfinance closer to marginalized communities.

Dr. Aristotle Alip, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of CARD-MRI, a trailblazer in grassroots financial inclusion.

Roberto Calingo, Executive Director of PEF, championing social enterprises as engines of poverty reduction.

Randy Fajardo, CEO of the Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives (QFUC), committed to building cooperative resilience.

Jerwin Samson from the Department of Trade and Industry, signaling government’s support for enterprise growth.

Their participation symbolized not just institutional backing, but a recognition that South BonPen’s struggle is a national concern—and its development, a shared responsibility.

Beyond Aid: Toward Sustainable Livelihood

At the heart of PEF’s mission is a philosophy that true change comes not from charity but from empowerment. Founded in 2001, the Foundation manages a significant endowment fund, investing in social enterprises that directly impact poor communities.

In South BonPen, this translates into:

Strengthening cooperative enterprises so they can scale and compete.

Partnering with microfinance institutions like CARD-MRI and ASA Philippines to ensure access to capital and social services.

Bridging gaps in health, education, and livelihood support, so communities can grow beyond subsistence.

PEF Executive Director Calingo summed it up well: “Our task is to ensure that communities do not remain dependent but become self-reliant, building sustainable enterprises that secure their own future.”

The Road Ahead

The South Bondoc Peninsula’s story is one of paradox: fertile lands shadowed by poverty, resilient farmers held back by structural challenges. But the August 26 gathering marks a pivotal moment—a recognition that no single institution can solve this alone.

The partnerships forged in San Pablo City represent a promise: that South BonPen’s farmers will no longer stand at the margins of development, but at its center.

As coconut palms sway in the winds of Quezon’s southern frontier, the seeds of collaboration planted in this meeting hold the potential to bear fruit—not only for South BonPen, but as a model for inclusive rural development across the country.

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