The Tanghaga Cultural Farming Agri Cooperative Shows the Way
Kim’s Dream Orlan Ravanera
The persistent and widespread poverty in the Philippines, especially in resource-rich Mindanao, is one of the greatest contradictions of our time. How can a land so abundant in natural wealth remain home to millions who struggle daily for survival? The answer lies not in the absence of resources but in the absence of power among the people to access, manage, and benefit from these resources. At the heart of this crisis are fundamental questions that demand reflection: Who controls our resources? Who profits from them? Who truly benefits? The painful truth is that the wealth of our land has long been monopolized by a small group of oligarchs and elites, often working in close partnership with political powers and multinational corporations. This system, driven by corporate globalization, has systematically excluded the Filipino people from the very resources that should sustain them.
As a result, social injustices have become deeply entrenched. Economic inequality continues to widen, while millions are trapped in cycles of poverty. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of our Indigenous Peoples, whose ancestral lands have been taken, transformed, and exploited in the name of development. Vast tracts of land have been converted into large-scale plantations producing high-value export crop products designed not to feed Filipinos, but to satisfy the consumer demands of wealthy nations. Meanwhile, our country struggles to ensure food security for its own people. Hunger persists, and malnutrition remains a serious concern among Filipino children. This stark reality reveals a development model that prioritizes profit over people, exports over sustenance, and corporate gain over human dignity.
Beyond social injustice, this model has also inflicted severe damage on the environment. The expansion of monocrop plantations, heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has degraded soil fertility, polluted water systems, and disrupted ecological balance. What were once fertile, diverse, and life-sustaining ecosystems are now reduced to fragile landscapes vulnerable to further degradation. Equally alarming is the destruction of our forests. The once vast dipterocarp forests of the Philippines, home to countless species of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth, have been drastically reduced due to logging activities driven by profit and enabled by weak governance. This loss is not only ecological but also cultural and spiritual, as many communities have long depended on these forests for their identity and survival.
Beneath the ground, the story is no different. The Philippines is rich in mineral resources, yet these too are being exploited, often through unjust or illegal means. Foreign entities, in collaboration with local elites, extract these resources with little regard for environmental sustainability or the welfare of affected communities. The result is further displacement, environmental destruction, and the continued marginalization of those who should have rightful ownership. In the face of these realities, incremental reforms are no longer enough. What we need is transformative change, a fundamental shift in how development is defined, pursued, and measured. We must return to the core principle enshrined in our Constitution: that sovereignty resides in the people, and all government authority emanates from them. This principle must not remain a statement on paper; it must be realized in practice. Development must no longer be dictated by corporate interests or controlled by a privileged few. Instead, it must be shaped by the people themselves, guided by their needs, aspirations, and collective vision for a just and sustainable future.
Amid these challenges, a beacon of hope is emerging from the Indigenous communities of Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon. The Tanghaga Cultural Farming Agri Cooperative stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when people come together to reclaim control over their resources and their future. Rooted in the principles of cooperativism, the cooperative embodies a model of development that is inclusive, participatory, and grounded in shared values. Through unity and collective action, the members of the cooperative are transforming their community. They are not merely pursuing economic gain; they are building a system that upholds dignity, strengthens cultural identity, and ensures that no one is left behind. This model of development is fundamentally different from the dominant paradigm. It does not seek to maximize consumption or profit at the expense of people and nature. Instead, it seeks to maximize values of solidarity, stewardship, equity, and sustainability.
The cooperative promotes farming practices that respect ecological limits, protect biodiversity, and ensure long-term productivity. It strengthens local food systems, helping communities move toward food security and self-reliance. At the same time, it creates sustainable livelihoods that empower individuals and families to break free from poverty. The journey of the Tanghaga Cooperative has been supported by key institutions and individuals committed to people-centered development. The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), under the leadership of Regional Director Hon. Aminoden A. Elias, along with Mr. Edwin Pelosas, has played a vital role in formalizing and recognizing the cooperative through its official registration.
This milestone was marked by an awarding ceremony graced by Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro a respected Jesuit leader and a lifelong advocate for justice, peace, and environmental protection. Archbishop Ledesma’s presence underscores the moral and spiritual dimension of development. Throughout his ministry, he has consistently emphasized that faith must be lived through action through the defense of human dignity, the protection of creation, and the upliftment of the poor. His life serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is rooted in service. As expressed in our own words: Ang iyang kinabuhi ug ministeryo usa ka tin-aw nga ehemplo sa pag-alagad sa katawhan, pagpanalipod sa kinaiyahan, ug pagbarug alang sa kamatuoran ug katarungan.
The experience of the Tanghaga Cultural Farming Agri Cooperative offers a clear and hopeful roadmap for the future. It shows that genuine development is possible when it is driven by the people, guided by shared values, and grounded in respect for both humanity and nature. Moving forward, development efforts must prioritize: First, Food Security, ensuring that communities can produce and access their own food. Second, Ecological Integrity, restoring and protecting the natural systems that sustain life. Third, Inclusive Growth, creating opportunities that benefit all, especially the marginalized and Fourth, Sustainable Livelihoods, enabling economic progress without environmental destruction This approach is not only practical but necessary. It addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The story of Tanghaga is more than an inspiring example; it is a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our assumptions about development and to question systems that prioritize profit over people. It invites us to stand in solidarity with communities that are courageously building alternatives grounded in justice, sustainability, and shared prosperity. True development is not measured by the wealth accumulated by a few, but by the dignity restored to many.
The time has come to open our eyes, reclaim our power, and work together to build a future where development truly serves its purpose, a future where it uplifts people, protects the planet, promotes shared prosperity, and sustains peace. All for Gods greater glory.
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