MANILA – The Philippine government has launched a strengthened whole-of-government framework aimed at improving food security and rural development through closer coordination among key agencies supporting agricultural cooperatives.

The Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) brings together the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to harmonize policies, streamline interventions, and institutionalize coordinated support for agricultural cooperatives at all levels of government.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday, May 20, at the Department of Agriculture Central Office by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Undersecretary Romeo P. Benitez, representing DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, along with CDA Undersecretary Alexander R. Raquepo.

The framework aims to align national agencies, local government units, and development partners toward shared goals of food security, livelihood generation, enterprise development, and broader rural transformation. It also seeks to reduce overlapping programs and establish a unified, data-driven system for cooperative development, monitoring, and support services.

Agricultural cooperatives are considered key drivers of rural economic activity, helping farmers and fisherfolk pool resources, increase productivity, expand market access, and build community-based enterprises.

“This memorandum is more than a policy document—it is a concrete whole-of-government commitment to empower our farmers and fisherfolk through stronger and more sustainable cooperatives,” said Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.. “by aligning the efforts of national agencies and local governments, we can build a more responsive and efficient support system that contributes meaningfully to food security and national development.”

The initiative supports the broader agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen the agriculture sector through institutional convergence and grassroots enterprise development.

During the observance of Cooperative Month in October, the government reiterated the role of cooperatives in advancing food security and sustainable rural growth.

Officials said the framework will also ensure stronger engagement of local government units in cooperative development, including integration of cooperatives into local development plans and support for monitoring and validation efforts.

By minimizing duplication of government programs, the JMC seeks to create a more efficient system that will enable cooperatives to expand, innovate, and compete in both domestic and international markets.

The JMC has already undergone inter-agency review and is set for dissemination to regional offices nationwide.