𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

DILIMAN, Quezon City — The National Rural Improvement Clubs (RIC) of the Philippines conducted a two-day Consultative Meeting and Planning Workshop on February 23 to 24, 2026 at Orosa Hall, ATI Building, to strengthen programs and set priority activities for Calendar Year 2026.

The activity focused on enhancing initiatives that support rural women, livelihood development, and organizational management.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero formally opened the workshop and underscored the vital role of women in agriculture and rural development, citing their contributions to improving household income and community welfare. She also highlighted the Gulayan sa Bayan program as a key food sufficiency initiative aimed at increasing access to nutritious vegetables, particularly in areas vulnerable to malnutrition.

Meanwhile, ATI Director Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter reaffirmed the Institute’s continued support for RIC programs and encouraged stronger partnership to expand livelihood opportunities for rural women across the country.

During the meeting, RIC National President Atty. Mabel Villarica-Mamba presented the organization’s priorities for the 2026 to 2028 term, focusing on transparency, accountability, and organizational improvement. Officers reviewed financial and audit reports, discussed membership identification systems, conducted a federation inventory, and prepared for the 2026 National Convention. The group also reviewed provisions of the organization’s Constitution and By-Laws and paid courtesy calls to Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito to discuss support for rural women in agriculture and potential national government partnerships.

The second day focused on strategic planning workshops. Through the application of the SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need) framework to evaluate the organization’s current situation, identify challenges, and craft appropriate solutions. Discussions also aligned national plans with development priorities, including income-generating projects, information and education caravans, and strengthened management systems for member organizations.

The activity underscored RIC’s continuing commitment to empower rural women and advance sustainable community development through collaborative planning and capacity-building initiatives.