DA PRDP holds disaster preparedness, business continuity to Novo Ecijano farmers
The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) held a training and workshop on disaster preparedness and business continuity planning to Novo Ecijano farmers in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija.
The three-day training was participated by farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) implementing enterprise subprojects under the DA PRDP with the aim to protect agricultural investments and sustain farmers’ livelihoods amid disasters and business disruptions.
In Central Luzon, where agriculture remains a major source of livelihood, the impacts of recent weather disturbances have underscored the urgency of strengthening the sector’s resilience. According to the Office of Civil Defense, the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones caused more than Php1 billion in agricultural damage in the region, affecting over 27,000 farmers and fisherfolk.
Beyond crop losses and damaged infrastructure, such disruptions can affect the ability of farmer cooperatives to fulfill market commitments, maintain cash flow, and sustain services for their members. Other threats, including drought, pest infestations, disease outbreaks, power outages, and supply chain interruptions, further highlight the need for agricultural enterprises to prepare for risks before they escalate into crises.
Through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Training and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Workshop, participating FCAs strengthened their understanding of how to identify potential threats, assess vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to keep essential business operations running during emergencies.
The activity was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the Nueva Ecija provincial government through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office.
Participants explored the concepts, principles, policies, and legal frameworks governing DRRM and BCP, with discussions focusing on hazards, vulnerabilities, climate-related risks, and operational threats affecting agricultural enterprises and value chains. They also participated in Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis workshops to help identify risks and determine how disruptions could affect their organizations and operations.
For Kalasag Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the training underscored the importance of preparedness in protecting not only its business operations but also the legacy built by its farmer-members.
"For 18 years, our founders have poured their time, dedication, and hard work into nurturing KALASAG and helping it grow and flourish. This training and workshop reminded me that preserving that legacy means being prepared for the risks our cooperative is exposed to," said Russel Prymleader Gonzales, a cooperative officer of Kalasag Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
"Knowing DRRM and BCP, we are better equipped to protect what our farmer founders worked so hard to build and ensure that KALASAG continues to thrive for generations to come," he added.
The workshop is part of PRDP Scale-Up’s efforts to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of assisted agricultural enterprises. By integrating disaster risk management and business continuity into cooperative governance and enterprise management, FCAs can better protect their assets, safeguard their members, and minimize disruptions to their operations.