Cabawa, an island barangay nestled in Dapa, Siargao, Agusan Del Sur, with a population of over 1,094 residents, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the visionary leadership of Barangay Captain Francisco Catulay, the community has embarked on a journey to encourage every family to cultivate crops in their surroundings, replacing vices such as gambling that once plagued the community.
The turning point came when Cabawa earned recognition as the cleanest and greenest barangay, winning a monetary prize. Mr. Catulay wisely invested the prize money in purchasing seeds and fertilizers, distributing them to every family. Furthermore, they initiated the “gulayan sa paaralan” project, inspiring every student to join the planting efforts.
The local government of Dapa also extended support by providing seeds, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural inputs. As of now, Barangay Cabawa is set to become a part of the Eco-Tourism Management Project of the municipality. This means that visitors and tour participants will have the opportunity to explore the area and purchase fresh, locally grown vegetables.
To ensure sustainability, the Cabawa Panhuduyan Farmers and Association was formed, boasting 65 members and holding DOLE registration. Today, an impressive 92% of households in the barangay are actively engaged in vegetable cultivation. It’s a true “bayanihan” community effort, where every family participates in the gulayan project, not only for food production and livelihood but also to promote agro-tourism.
Dr. Jovito “Jovit” Gambong, the Municipal Agriculturist, envisions further development of Cabawa’s Gulayan sa Barangay project. He plans to secure additional agricultural inputs from the region, such as seeds, planting materials, fertilizers, blacknets, garden tools, nursery supplies, and other agricultural essentials. Gambong’s aspiration extends beyond Cabawa, as he aims to foster similar initiatives in neighboring barangays like Corregidor, supporting their development journey as well.
Upon validation in the area, and with the collaborative efforts of High Value Crops Development Program, Bureau of Plant Industry, National Urban Peri-Urban Agriculture, and DA Regional Field Office of CARAGA, it has been identified that the barangay requires significant agricultural support such as seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs and supplies. It is also recommended the establishment of a nursery and greenhouse infrastructure to be included in their proposals.
HVCDP PMO:
Carl Vincent Gapasin
Princess Bormeda
Jeffrey Venterez
