A Crisis Across Five Provinces

Farmers on small-scale farms across the Philippines know their land, their crops, and their communities better than anyone. They also know, more than most, what a worsening climate means for their livelihoods.  In 2025, the Philippines was struck by a series of severe typhoons that caused widespread flooding, devastating winds, and significant damage to farmlands and homes. Typhoon Tino and Typhoon Uwan (the 20^th and 21^st typhoons of that year) hit communities across Negros Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Albay, creating an extraordinarily difficult situation for farming families already navigating the pressures of climate change and natural disasters.

In sugarcane communities in La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Don Salvador Benedicto, fields were submerged, homes were partially destroyed, and infrastructure was badly damaged. In coconut-growing areas in Davao and Albay, fallen trees, blocked roads, and disrupted harvests cut off income and market access for thousands of families. Approximately 80% of sugarcane crops in the worst-affected areas were destroyed, while around 30% of coconut farming areas sustained damage. While some government support was provided, it was not enough to meet the scale of recovery needed.

A Coordinated Community Response

Recognizing the urgency, the Fairtrade NAPP Climate Disaster Relief and Resilience Fund mobilized to deliver immediate assistance, in solidarity with the farmers and workers who are at the heart of what Fairtrade stands for. Food support across 8 Fairtrade-certified Producer Organizations, reaching 267 farmer families and 396 individuals in total, including children, older members, and informal farm workers. Relief packs included 80 sacks of rice, eggs, milk, coffee, and sugar. The total disbursement of €4,178 was coordinated efficiently, with Pandanon Integrated Balangon Farm Workers Association Inc. (PIBFA) facilitating bulk purchasing and logistics for all eight organizations.

Participating Fairtrade Producer Organizations:

• Pandanon Integrated Balangon Farm Workers Association Inc. (PIBFA) FLO ID: 33612
• Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DAFWARBA) FLO ID: 29041
• Maria Cecilia Farm Workers Association (MACFAWA) Inc. FLO ID: 33614
• Davnor Fairtrade Coco Farmers Association (DFCFA) FLO ID: 38088
• Tical Tribal Multipurpose Cooperative (TTMPC) FLO ID: 40649
• Samahan ng Organikong Magniniyog ng Albay (SOMA) FLO ID: 45926
• Santa Cruz Organic Fairtrade Farmers Association (SCOFFA) FLO ID: 46257
• Malita Organic Fairtrade Farmers Association (MOFFA) FLO ID: 46315

The response reflected the kind of practical solidarity that characterizes the Fairtrade system. Several Producer Organizations extended relief beyond their formal membership, incorporating informal farm workers and additional household members. Some converted a portion of their relief budget to purchase additional rice, further stretching support to families facing the most critical food needs. Children, young people, adults, and senior citizens were all included in the distribution.

Farmers Share Their Experiences

Across all eight organizations, the farmers and community members who received relief spoke powerfully about what the support meant to them, what they learned, and what they are already planning to do differently. Their words reflect their resilience, their knowledge of the land, their organizational thinking and their determination to build stronger systems for the future.

“This is a big help to us as we recover from devastation. We believe that with training on Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency, we will be better prepared for the challenges ahead. We are more inspired to be active and to strengthen our organization further.”

    - Dolores R. Ceralbo, 61  PIBFA, Negros Occidental

“The impact of Super Typhoon Tino and Uwan was horrible. We did not expect that it would affect us this much, especially our sugarcane crops and the flooding that submerged our houses and evacuation center. The flood water was up to more than 3 feet high. We learned that we need to be more prepared and alert and conduct massive information dissemination about the hazards of climate change. We are partners that we can rely on, and that makes us more inspired. "

    - Cherrie Pie Malihan, 33  MACFAWA, Negros Occidental

“Our sugarcane that was nearly ready for harvest was submerged in water and lodged by strong winds. We realized that more hazards are coming due to climate change and the threat of Mt. Kanlaon. These disasters taught us lessons to be more prepared. We look forward to having more training on awareness and preparedness  

    - Berdandino Ferrer, 62  DAFWARBA, Negros Occidental

“The 15 kg of rice was consumed for almost 14 days without spending money on food as we faced the effects of disaster. We believe that if we experience many disasters, we will overcome the impacts if we are united and strengthened as an organization.”

    - Gerry Godoy, 55  SCOFFA, Davao del Sur

“We are IPs and most of our members are living on higher ground, affected by soil erosion, landslides, and uprooted trees. Seeing members carrying their food packs with smiling faces, we the officers feel the unwavering support and care of Fairtrade for us small IP farmers.”

    - Jeneilyn Condinato, 46  TTMPC, Davao Occidental

“With this support from Fairtrade NAPP, we feel taken care of as we receive not only relief assistance but also projects and training that keep us more prepared for disasters. We thank all our  Fairtrade supporters, PIDCI, and other donors.”

    - Editha Buban, 58  SOMA, Albay

“As Fairtrade-certified farmers, we feel a significant benefit. Fairtrade serves as a financial safety net, provides services in times of disasters, and helps us build a sustainable income. Your support means a lot and we are deeply grateful.”

    - Joan Cano, 48  DFCFA, Davao Oriental

“Climate change hazards are getting worse every year, and we must equip ourselves with enough knowledge and skills to be prepared. Thank you FTNAPP, our Fairtrade customers and donors.”

    - Romeo D. Colina, 57  MOFFA, Davao Occidental

Building Resilience for the Long Term

What stands out across these testimonies is not just gratitude for immediate relief, it is the clear-eyed understanding that farming communities are on the frontlines of a worsening climate crisis, and that preparedness must be built into the way they organize and plan. From calls for more disaster preparedness training to proposals for emergency funds within Fairtrade Development Plans, these farmers are thinking strategically about what long-term resilience looks like.

The Fairtrade NAPP Climate Disaster Relief and Resilience Fund is designed to be part of this longer journey. This intervention represents one step in an ongoing commitment to working alongside farming communities in the Asia-Pacific region in not just at moments of crisis, but through the training, capacity-building, and structural support that enables them to face climate challenges on their own terms.

About the Fairtrade NAPP Climate Disaster Relief and Resilience Fund

The Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (NAPP) established the Climate Disaster Relief and Resilience Fund to provide timely, targeted support to Fairtrade-certified farming communities affected by natural disasters. The fund aims to provide rapid relief, support recovery and rehabilitation and promote long-term resilience. Through this emergency fund, Fairtrade farmers and workers affected by the disaster can access the financial support they need to start rebuilding their lives.

This intervention was made possible by the support of Fairtrade customers and donors worldwide. When you choose Fairtrade products, you are part of a network of solidarity that extends from the shop shelf to communities like those described in this story.