July 14, 2026 — The newly elected officers of the Itogon Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Council (IMAFC) officially took their oath of office before Mayor Bernard S. Waclin on Tuesday during a ceremony held in Malasin, Ucab.
Anthony Page-et was elected as the new IMAFC chairperson following the council’s election held on June 24 during its General Assembly in Binga, Tinongdan. He succeeds outgoing chairperson Romeo D. Casilla, who served the council for four years.
The oath-taking ceremony was followed by a program attended by loca, provincial, and regional agriculture leaders, who expressed their support for the new set of officers and encouraged them to continue advancing the municipality’s agricultural sector.
In his acceptance message, newly elected Chairperson Anthony Page-et highlighted the Department of Agriculture’s advocacy on food security and called for stronger support for local farmers and backyard gardening initiatives.
He encouraged residents to patronize locally grown agricultural products and assured farmers that the council would continue to serve as their voice.
“Walang maiiwan sa farming. Lahat ng boses ay maririnig sa pamamagitan ng IMAFC,” he said.
Page-et also underscored the importance of involving the youth in agriculture and stressed that Itogon’s mining industry should not hinder the municipality’s agricultural development.
“Hindi hadlang ang pagiging mining area ng Itogon para magkaroon ng farming dito sa ating lugar,” he added.
He concluded by thanking the members for their trust and confidence and expressed his appreciation to Casilla for his years of dedicated leadership.
Municipal Agriculturist Berto O. Bayeng challenged the newly elected officers to uphold the council’s legacy of excellence, recalling that the IMAFC was recognized as the Most Outstanding Agricultural and Fisheries Council among cities and municipalities nationwide.
“As we transition to the new set of IMAFC officers, let us carry on that legacy. It comes with a challenge—to continue what has already been started,” Bayeng said.
Bayeng also encouraged the council to further promote farming in the community, emphasizing Itogon’s strong potential for agricultural enterprises despite its identity as a mining municipality.
Outgoing chairperson Romeo D. Casilla thanked the members for their trust and pledged his continued support to the council. He emphasized that volunteerism and cooperation remain essential in achieving meaningful progress for the agricultural sector.
During Casilla’s leadership, the IMAFC earned national recognition as the country’s Most Outstanding Agricultural and Fisheries Council among cities and municipalities.
Mayor Bernard S. Waclin congratulated the new officers and reminded them that leadership is a responsibility entrusted by the people, not a position for personal recognition.
He urged the council to remain faithful to the oath they had taken and encouraged them to continue leading the development of agriculture in the municipality. The mayor also assured the council of the local government’s full support for its programs and initiatives.
Messages of support were likewise delivered by Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Councilor Noel D. Bilibli and Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council Chairperson Susan Balansa.
Also present during the ceremony were Provincial AFC Coordinator Corazon Ateo-an and Provincial AFC Chairperson Jerry Domoguen.
IMAFC Officers (2026–2029)
• Chairperson: Anthony Page-et
• Co-Chairperson (Government Sector): Berto O. Bayeng
• Vice Chairperson: Cherry Mae Pacio
• Secretary: Cezar T. Bulos
• Treasurer: Mary Ann Doctolero
• Auditor: Alicia A. Gatab
• Secretariat: Marlou K. Daliling
Sectoral Committee Chairpersons
Food Staple
• Rice – Renato Simon
• Corn – Petra Pablo
Livestock, Poultry and Feed Crops
• Swine – Romeo D. Casilla
• Large and Small Ruminants – Adrelina Salas
• Poultry – Anthony Page-et
High Value Crops
• Coffee – Raquel Chavez
• Cacao – Yolanda Bolino
• Organic Agriculture – Jocelyn Lasdacan
• Fruits – Gina S. Mateo
• Vegetables – Zosima Lamsis
• Mushroom – Alicia A. Gatab
Fishery and Aquaculture
• Aquaculture – Crispin Colay-an
• Capture Fishing – Elvis Pio
• Fish Vending – Regine Benaldo
• Fish Processing – Marcela F. Collano
Agri-Fishery Mechanization – Cherry Mae Pacio
Youthpreneur – Dionesio B. Capsula III
Women’s Sector – Mary Jane C. Gampol and Nora N. Omaking
P4MP – Guadaleva Coteng
