Iloilo, Philippines – The Panay Organization for Progressive Agriculture (POPA Agriculture Cooperative), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture has announced that this year’s National Vegetable Congress will be held in Iloilo.
Rotating across regions since its inception in 2015, the three-day event is happening on November 5 to 7, 2025, at the Tamasak Arena in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo with the theme:
“Innovative. Resilient. Sustainable. Market-Ready: Revitalizing the Vegetable Industry for a Food-Secure Bagong Pilipinas.”
“Hosting the National Vegetable Congress in Iloilo will cast a national spotlight on Region VI as a rising hub for vegetable production, regional food logistics, and climate-smart agricultural practices,” said Dr. Rose Marie N. Conlu, Vice Chairman of the POPA Agriculture Cooperative, who delivered the welcome remarks during the event launching and press conference held at The Avenue Complex, Iloilo City.
Dr. Conlu also highlighted the vital role of cooperatives in strengthening the vegetable value chain, emphasizing the importance of unity and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
Expressing institutional support, Ms. Maria Teresa T. Solis, Regional Technical Director for Operations of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office VI reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to empowering farmers and boosting regional agricultural productivity through sustainable practices and inclusive programs.
At a press launch, Larry P. Nacionales, Chairman of POPA Agriculture Cooperative and Chairperson of the Congress Committee, presented the full program of events. “This Congress is about empowering farmers, introducing scalable technologies, and opening space for real policy dialogue,” Nacionales said.
“We want to create an environment where innovations are shared, partnerships are formed, and issues are tackled head-on,” he added.
Nacionales outlined three major components of the event: farmer empowerment initiatives, technology showcases, and focused discussions on policy reforms to support sustainable and inclusive growth in the vegetable value chain.
The Congress will open with a high-level program featuring the keynote message, “Vegetable Farming for a Bagong Pilipinas,” setting the tone for the country’s renewed commitment to agricultural modernization and food security.
The second day, focus shifts to action planning and strategic alignment. Regional representatives will participate in a Regional Action Planning Workshop aimed at shaping a unified Vegetable Industry Roadmap. The outputs of these planning sessions will be presented in a plenary, culminating in the formal Congress Declaration.
On the final day, participants will visit selected partner farms across Iloilo for hands-on learning exchanges showcasing agricultural innovation. The field activities will include live demonstrations on seedling production, mechanized land preparation, transplanting, and postharvest handling tools, along with expert-led sessions by ATI, BPI, PhilGAP, and DA-accredited trainers. Attendees will also engage with model farmers and cooperatives, gaining practical insights and participating in farmer-to-farmer exchanges to encourage peer learning and collaboration.
Capping off the launch, Engr. Buen S. Mondejar, Chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) VI, shared that a major development supporting this initiative is the upcoming inauguration of the Regional Food Terminal in New Lucena. “This facility is designed to enhance food distribution and logistics in the region, further positioning lloilo as a cornerstone of agricultural progress in the Philippines,” he said.
Mondejar emphasized the vital importance of collaboration among stakeholders. He urged continuous engagement in platforms like the National Vegetable Congress to drive innovation and strengthen resilience in the agricultural sector.
