27/07/2026
Historical Background of Lasangan Livelihood Farmers and Fisherfolk's Marketing Cooperative
The Lasangan Livelihood Farmers and Fisherfolk's Marketing Cooperative (LLFFMC) was founded in 2000 through the visionary leadership of the late Hon. Mely M. Pinagayaw, a distinguished public servant and community leader of Barangay Lasangan, Municipality of General Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao del Sur. Driven by a deep commitment to uplift the socio-economic conditions of marginalized rural families, Hon. Pinagayaw organized local farmers and fisherfolk into a cooperative founded on the principles of unity, self-help, mutual cooperation, and sustainable development.
Serving as the Barangay Chairperson of Barangay Lasangan from 1992 to 2015, Hon. Mely M. Pinagayaw was widely recognized for exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication to public service, and steadfast advocacy for peace and development. Throughout her tenure, he championed programs that empowered local communities, believing that lasting peace could only be achieved through inclusive economic opportunities and improved quality of life.
A defining feature of LLFFMC is its unique membership. The cooperative was established primarily by farmers and fisherfolk who were former combatants, individuals who embraced peace and chose to rebuild their lives through productive and lawful means. Under the guidance of Hon. Pinagayaw, these members transformed from participants in armed conflict into active contributors to agricultural productivity, fisheries development, and community-building. The cooperative became a powerful symbol of reconciliation, demonstrating that cooperative enterprise can serve as an effective vehicle for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and economic empowerment.
From its inception, LLFFMC focused on enhancing agricultural production, promoting sustainable fisheries, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening the collective marketing of members' products. Through cooperative action, members gained improved access to production inputs, technical assistance, financial services, capacity-building programs, and market linkages, significantly contributing to increased household incomes and enhanced food security within the community.
A significant milestone in the cooperative's history occurred in 2014, when Hon. Mely M. Pinagayaw entrusted the leadership of the cooperative to her nephew, ensuring the continuity of the vision and principles upon which the organization was founded. This leadership transition marked the beginning of a new era characterized by organizational strengthening, sound governance, and strategic institutional growth.
Under the new leadership, LLFFMC expanded its membership, diversified its livelihood and enterprise initiatives, strengthened partnerships with government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, and development partners, and enhanced its capacity to deliver quality services to its members. The cooperative also improved its governance systems and increased members' access to agricultural technologies, financial assistance, training, and broader market opportunities, further reinforcing its role as a catalyst for rural development.
Faithful to its founding mission, the cooperative has remained committed to promoting peace and inclusive development by continuously empowering former combatants and marginalized sectors through sustainable livelihood programs, cooperative education, and enterprise development. These initiatives have enabled members to become productive citizens and active contributors to the economic and social progress of Barangay Lasangan and neighboring communities.
Today, the Lasangan Livelihood Farmers and Fisherfolk's Marketing Cooperative stands as one of the enduring legacies of the late Hon. Mely M. Pinagayaw. More than two decades since its establishment, the cooperative continues to embody her vision of a peaceful, self-reliant, and prosperous community. Guided by the cooperative values of solidarity, democratic participation, accountability, and service, LLFFMC remains steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of its members, promote sustainable agriculture and fisheries, strengthen local economic development, and contribute to lasting peace and inclusive growth in the Municipality of General Salipada K. Pendatun and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
