Lake Sebu was recognized as the first FAO Village in the Philippines, joining more than 300 others globally. The unveiling of the FAO village marker at the Gono Menos Bnek (Lake Sebu Rice Museum) in Lake Sebu was attended by the Climate Change Commission, FAO representatives, local government officials, and the IP communities.

LAKE SEBU, SOUTH COTABATO | 20 July 2026 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded Lake Sebu as a model of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and community empowerment as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations officially designated the locality as an "FAO Village."

Lake Sebu joins more than 300 recognized villages worldwide, becoming the first Philippine member of the FAO Villages global network. It was recognized for “its dedication in conserving natural heritage and biodiversity, sustaining food traditions, linking food culture and rural heritage with education, hospitality and tourism, and advancing rural development through innovative scientific, or digital solutions.”

Emphasizing the broader implications of this milestone, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored that the recognition is not merely a local celebration, but a global call to action.

“Today’s recognition says that Lake Sebu possesses something whose value extends beyond its boundaries," Borje said. "Something worth strengthening. Something worth protecting. Something from which the rest of the world can continue to learn. In that sense, this recognition is not only about Lake Sebu. It is also about our shared responsibility.”

For generations, the T’boli and Ubo-Manobo peoples of Lake Sebu have not only produced food—they have protected local biodiversity and proactively adapted to climate change. Their stewardship of traditional crop varieties, heirloom rice, lakes, forests, and indigenous knowledge is the very foundation of this FAO designation.

Acknowledging this ecological and cultural balance, Borje noted that Lake Sebu serves as a living proof of concept for global climate goals.

“That is what the Food and Agriculture Organization recognizes today," he stated. "Not that Lake Sebu is perfect. Not that every challenge has already been overcome. Rather, that this community continues to demonstrate something the world needs to see more of—that development, culture, food systems, and environmental stewardship need not compete with one another. They can strengthen one another. And in today’s world, that is no small achievement.”

Underscoring the deep connection between the environment and local livelihoods, FAO Representative in the Philippines Dr. Lionel Dabbadie explained that Lake Sebu is a living cultural landscape.

“What makes Lake Sebu truly exceptional is something much deeper," Dr. Dabbadie explained. "It is the relationship among its people, its farmers and fisherfolk, and the land and lakes they have nurtured together for generations.”

He further highlighted the community's incredible foresight, adding: “Long before the world spoke about biodiversity, climate resilience, or sustainable agrifood systems, the people of Lake Sebu had already understood something fundamental: nature is not simply a resource to be exploited, but a partner to be respected.”

This initiative highlights how critical it is to empower grassroots communities. Mario Samaja, Former Senior Coordinator at FAO Headquarters in Rome who led the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative, underlined the indispensable role of the people on the ground.

“Lake Sebu fits perfectly into this FAO Villages Recognition Initiative. Here, you, the local indigenous communities, manage lakes, wetlands, forests, and farms applying your long-standing traditions and knowledge,” Samaja said. “You, the T'boli and Ubo-Manobo peoples, sustain your traditions, your agrifood systems, and your environment within an officially protected landscape. Its three lakes, forest ecosystems, waterfalls, and agroecological mosaics form the basis of your integrated livelihoods, and support both cultural identity and food security.”

This recognition is the direct result of robust collaboration among Indigenous communities, local government units, provincial governments, national government agencies, academic institutions, and development partners. A testament to this synergy is the active conservation of vulnerable local heirloom crops.

“One of the greatest achievements of this project was the conservation of our traditional rice varieties," recalled Nonito Malingay, a farmer-cooperator in Sitio El Lumet, Barangay Luhib, Lake Sebu. "A total of 102 traditional rice varieties are now safely conserved in the PhilRice Genebank under a black box agreement. This is a priceless legacy that protects our genetic resources for future generations.”

Pointing to the national policy framework, Borje stated that genuine climate adaptation relies heavily on this type of localized empowerment.

“Because adaptation cannot remain a document in Manila. It must live in communities. It must reflect local realities. It must build on local knowledge. And it must support local aspirations," Borje asserted. “Ultimately, adaptation is an act of confidence. It reflects our belief that communities deserve not merely to survive change, but to shape it according to their own values and aspirations. That is precisely what the Philippine National Adaptation Plan seeks to support.”

Developed under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023-2050 establishes the country’s long-term strategy for climate resilience, actively integrating the protection of Indigenous culture and heritage.

The FAO Villages Recognition Initiative was launched during FAO’s 80th anniversary in 2025. It aims to recognize rural communities that are advancing sustainable agrifood systems, protecting biodiversity, preserving food traditions and local knowledge, and fostering rural transformation.

Lake Sebu’s recognition proves that climate resilience and cultural preservation are inseparable.

"Here in Lake Sebu, food systems nourish more than people," Borje emphasized. "They sustain identity, strengthen communities, and remind the world that food security is ultimately about human security."

Malingay summarized this deep connection, saying, “Our traditional crops are not just food. They are our life, our ancestors’ legacy, and our children’s inheritance. They are our living treasures.”

The FAO recognition was formalized on July 16, 2026, through the unveiling of the FAO Village marker at the Gono Menos Bnek (Lake Sebu Rice Museum) in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The event was attended by local government officials, development partners, and members of the indigenous communities of Lake Sebu.

To know more about the Climate Change Commission’s mainstreaming activities, visit https://climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/cccphl.