The Salaman Communal Irrigators Association (CIS) of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, has been honored with the Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System award at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards. The association received a ₱2-million cash incentive for its exemplary irrigation management and sustained contribution to rice production. Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu congratulated the association, describing the recognition as another source of national pride for Sultan Kudarat.
Key Takeaways
- The Salaman Communal Irrigators Association (CIS) of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, won the Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System award at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards
- The association received a ₱2-million cash incentive for its exemplary irrigation management and contribution to rice production
- The award was presented during the 51st Gawad Saka National Awarding Ceremony on June 29, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center
- Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu congratulated the association, calling the achievement a source of national pride for Sultan Kudarat
- The recognition reflects the association’s commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water resource management, and increasing rice productivity
Table of Contents
- Salaman CIS Honored with Gawad Saka Outstanding Award
- Association Receives ₱2-Million Cash Incentive
- A Legacy of Excellence in Irrigation Management
- The Gawad Saka Awards: Honoring Agricultural Excellence
- Sultan Kudarat’s Growing Recognition in Agriculture
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Disclaimer
Salaman CIS Received Gawad Saka Outstanding Award
The Salaman Communal Irrigators Association (CIS) of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, has been honored with the Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System award at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards. The recognition was announced by Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu through his official Facebook page, who congratulated the association and described the achievement as another source of national pride for Sultan Kudarat.
The Gawad Saka Awards, established in 1970, is the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) highest recognition program for excellence in agriculture and fisheries. It honors individuals, groups, and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and sustainable practices while contributing to agricultural development, rural progress, and national transformation.
According to the governor’s announcement, the award reflects the association’s exceptional farm irrigation practices, efficient water resource management, and unwavering commitment to increasing rice productivity while promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Through innovation, cooperation, and responsible stewardship of irrigation systems, Salaman CIS has become a model of excellence in agricultural development.
Association Receives ₱2-Million Cash Incentive
As part of its national recognition, the Salaman Communal Irrigators Association received a ₱2-million cash incentive for its exemplary irrigation management and sustained contribution to rice production.
Salaman CIS President Rey T. Alegre said the incentive would be invested in additional farm machinery to improve their operations. “Ang napag-usapan po namin sa board ay ibibili namin ng harvester dahil isa na lang ‘yong gumaganang harvester namin. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming association,” Alegre said. (The board agreed to purchase a new harvester since only one of our harvesters is currently operational. This will greatly benefit our association.)
The cash incentive is part of the Gawad Saka program’s effort to support the expansion and sustainability of agriculture-based enterprises, enabling awardees to further contribute to the growth and resilience of the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector.
A Legacy of Excellence in Irrigation Management
The Salaman Communal Irrigators Association has a long history of service to the farming community of Lebak. Founded in 1940 and officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1976, the association has been a lifeline for local farmers in the heart of Pasandalan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
The association was named Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards. This category recognizes irrigators’ associations that have demonstrated excellence in irrigation efficiency, rice productivity, and sustainable water resource management.
The Gawad Saka Awards: Honoring Agricultural Excellence
The Gawad Saka Awards is the Department of Agriculture’s most prestigious annual award program, launched in 1970 to honor outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations in the agriculture and fisheries sectors for their excellence. The program recognizes achievements across seven categories: crops, livestock, fisheries, institutions, extension, youth, and cross-cutting initiatives.
The 51st Gawad Saka National Awarding Ceremony was held on June 29, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The event honored 37 outstanding individuals, groups, and institutions for their exemplary contributions to Philippine agriculture and fisheries.
In his keynote address, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, emphasized that this year’s awardees have redefined success in agriculture by demonstrating that it goes beyond productivity to include community solidarity, innovation, resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and an improved quality of life. “You are the living proof that this vision is possible. You have shown that through courage, innovation, and solidarity, we can build agriculture, fisheries, and institutions that are not only productive but also just, inclusive, and resilient,” Sen. Pangilinan said.
Although the program was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. revived the search in 2024, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to recognizing excellence in the agriculture and fisheries sector.
Sultan Kudarat’s Growing Recognition in Agriculture
The recognition of Salaman CIS adds to Sultan Kudarat’s growing reputation as a leading agricultural province. The province has been actively investing in agricultural development, as seen in the recent farm-to-market road projects and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and market access for farmers.
SOCCSKSARGEN, the region to which Sultan Kudarat belongs, further cemented its reputation as one of the country’s leading agricultural regions after farmers and an irrigators’ association secured three major awards at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards.
The region’s awardees also included Organikian Urban Farm, named Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Macro-Garden), and Renato Dela Cruz, recognized as Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer (Fruits).
DA-Regional Field Office XII Regional Executive Director John B. Pascual, DVM, congratulated the winners and expressed optimism that more SOCCSKSARGEN farmers would earn national recognition in the coming years. “Isang karangalan para sa Region XII na nakasungkit po tayo ng tatlong awards. Rest assured that by next month, mag-uumpisa na kami para next year.
Paghahandaan namin ito nang husto para mas marami ang mananalo from Region XII,” he said. (It is an honor for Region XII to have won three awards. Rest assured that by next month, we will already begin preparing for next year’s competition.)
Conclusion
The recognition of the Salaman Communal Irrigators Association with the Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System award is a testament to the dedication of Sultan Kudarat’s farmers, irrigators, and agricultural partners who continue to strengthen food security and uplift farming communities. The ₱2-million cash incentive will enable the association to invest in additional farm machinery, further improving their operations and contribution to rice production.
Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu’s congratulatory message underscores the importance of the achievement, not only for Lebak but for the entire Province of Sultan Kudarat. As the association’s president noted, the recognition serves as both an affirmation of their hard work and an inspiration to continue their mission of excellence in irrigation and farming.
For more updates on agricultural development in Sultan Kudarat, follow official announcements from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and SultanKudarat.com .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What award did Salaman CIS receive?
The Salaman Communal Irrigators Association received the Outstanding Rice Cluster – Communal Irrigation System award at the 51st Gawad Saka National Awards.
2. Where is Salaman CIS located?
Salaman CIS is based in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, specifically in Barangay Salaman.
3. When was the award given?
The award was presented during the 51st Gawad Saka National Awarding Ceremony on June 29, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
4. What prize did the association receive?
The association received a ₱2-million cash incentive for its exemplary irrigation management and sustained contribution to rice production.
5. Who is the president of Salaman CIS?
The president of Salaman Communal Irrigators Association is Rey T. Alegre.
6. What is the Gawad Saka Awards?
The Gawad Saka Awards is the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) highest recognition program for excellence in agriculture and fisheries, established in 1970 to honor outstanding individuals and organizations in the sector.
7. How long has Salaman CIS been operating?
Salaman CIS was founded in 1940 and officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1976.
8. What other SOCCSKSARGEN awardees were recognized?
Other SOCCSKSARGEN awardees at the 51st Gawad Saka included Organikian Urban Farm (Outstanding Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden – Macro-Garden) and Renato Dela Cruz (Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer – Fruits).
9. What does the ₱2-million prize mean for Salaman CIS?
The cash incentive will be used to purchase additional farm machinery, including a new harvester, to improve the association’s operations and rice production.
10. Where can I find updates on similar agricultural recognitions?
Follow official announcements from the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and SultanKudarat.com .
Disclaimer
This article is based on the public announcement from the Facebook page of Gov. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu regarding the Salaman Communal Irrigators Association’s Gawad Saka recognition, with additional information from the Department of Agriculture and DA Regional Field Office XII. Details not disclosed or independently verified through the cited sources may be subject to clarification or update.
