₱21.3-M Cacao Program Launched to Transform 500+ Former Rebels into ‘Agro-Entrepreneurs’ in Davao Region

Photo Courtesy of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

In a major push to sustain peace gains and drive economic growth in Mindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has partnered with local government units (LGUs) to officially launch the Cacaopreneur Livelihood and Forest Protection Program.

The landmark initiative is backed by a ₱21.3 million total initial allocation, directly targeting the economic reintegration of more than 500 former rebels (FRs) across the region.

Turning Conflict Zones into Cacao Hubs

Under the newly signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), ₱7.1 million has been earmarked for each provincial LGU in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. The collaborative project also includes participation from Davao City and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP-XI).

The initiative aims to capitalize on the Davao Region's position as the "Cacao Capital of the Philippines," a region that yields over 70% of the country’s total national cocoa output.

According to OPAPRU Chief Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, the project goes far beyond basic farming.

"This initiative is not merely about planting cacao; it is about planting hope," Sarmiento stated during the International and Private Partners' Forum. "It is about empowering former rebels and Indigenous Peoples to become productive citizens, community leaders, and partners in development."

Value-Chain Integration and Timeline

The program will formally roll out its first phase of implementation in the second half of 2026. Beneficiaries, many of whom are members of community-based People’s Organizations (POs), will receive comprehensive support across the entire agricultural value chain. This includes:

High-yield cacao cultivation and modern farm management

Localized processing technologies to increase raw bean market value

Direct market integration to supply local and international chocolate trade channels

Twin Focus: Peace and Environment

In addition to poverty alleviation, the project embeds a vital environmental stewardship component. Former combatants will be trained as forest protectors, combining agro-forestry with conservation efforts to safeguard the region’s vulnerable watersheds and forest cover.

The programmatic framework forms part of the national government’s broader Local Peace Engagement (LPE) Transformation Program. It is designed to completely insulate former conflict communities from rebel re-recruitment by offering permanent, lucrative alternatives to insurgency.