Presentation of the Value Chain Study and Stakeholders Consultation for Rubber in Lamitan City, Basilan Province

Presentation of the Value Chain Study and Stakeholders Consultation for Rubber in Lamitan City, Basilan Province

On April 3, 2025, the WEE-SAFE Project facilitated a Presentation of the Value Chain Study and Stakeholders Consultation for Rubber at the LGU Hostel Conference Hall, Brgy. Matibay, Lamitan City, Basilan, to discuss findings and recommendations from the 2024 Rubber Value Chain Study. The meeting highlighted Lamitan City’s active rubber plantations and the challenges farmers face in receiving fair compensation, with emphasis on LGU commitment to support them. The study’s findings and recommendations were presented, focusing on measures for collective action, stakeholder convergence, and monitoring systems. Best practices from other regions were shared to inform local application, including frameworks for organizing farmers, traders, and middlemen, as well as establishing price references and implementation mechanisms. Policy development and dialogue with relevant councils were suggested to strengthen the rubber industry. Ways forward include reactivating the Basilan Rubber Industry Council (BRIC) to oversee the sector, planning stakeholder activities, continuing sustainable support programs, developing policy frameworks, establishing educational price references, and forming a task force to sustain initiatives.