In the heart of Northern Mindanao Region, there is a name that resonates with the quiet strength of the soil and the nurturing warmth of a matriarch. To the farmers and fisherfolk, the government officials and staff, and the private sector partners, she is fondly known as “Mother Earth.”
Nilda Salas鈥� story is not just a career chronology; it is a 42-year love letter to Region 10鈥檚 agriculture and fishery sector. From her early days as a seed quality analyst in 1979 to her current role as the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson, her journey reflects the evolution of the industry itself. A path defined by grit, diplomacy, and an unshakable belief in the power of the soil.
A Career Rooted in Service
Nilda鈥檚 agricultural roots were planted long before she took the helm at the RAFC. An agriculture graduate who entered the Department of Agriculture in 1979, she climbed the ladder one rung at a time. She has been an analyst, a technician, and a Senior Agriculturalist, eventually serving as a Center Chief at the Provincial Operations Center (POC). “I went through a lot of layers,” Nilda recalls.
Her transition into the RAFC landscape began in earnest in 2005. For ten years, she served as a coordinator, acting as the vital bridge between the “brave, high-caliber” private sector leaders and the structured world of government bureaucracy. It was during these years that she earned her reputation as a “soft-spoken” but high-patience mediator, a “filter” who could prevent organizational harm while ensuring the voices of the farmers and fisherfolk were heard.
From Retirement to the Frontlines
While most would see retirement as a time to rest, Nilda saw it as a time to volunteer. After retiring in 2021, she didn’t walk away but instead walked right back into her barangay in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, to organize and lead the women鈥檚 group. “I wanted to know how hard it is to organize,” she says.
Despite decades in high-level positions, she rolled up her sleeves to form a farmers鈥� association in her local community, focusing on urban agriculture and hydroponics. Her dedication was so evident that by 2023, she was elected as the RAFC Chairperson.
Her leadership style is grounded in being a “leader by example.” She recounts stories of walking eight kilometers through roadless terrain just to see the reality of a farm thirty-two kilometers away from the main hub. “I saw a lot of things were missing,” she notes. This hands-on approach led her to facilitate the construction of a 30-million-peso farm-to-market road project in a remote site in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, proving that her “soft” demeanor hides a relentless drive for results.
The Cost of Commitment
Service at this level often comes with a personal price. Nilda speaks candidly about a health scare, a stroke brought on by overwork and the tension of preparing reports for the mid-year assessment. “I didn’t sleep because the next day I had to report. I didn’t know that I was on the computer at night until it was already early morning,” she shares.
Her recovery was a testament to her connection with nature. She chose “exercise therapy” by the coast, using the sea air and physical labor in her communal garden to regain her strength. Even her children, now successful professionals, sometimes ask why she remains so dedicated to the AFC. Her answer is simple: “That is my happiness.”
A Vision for the Future: Devolution and Sustainability
As the agriculture sector faces various challenges such as the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling and the volatility of global fuel prices, Nilda remains a pragmatist. She advocates for the following:
鈼� Institutionalization of AFCs at the Local Level: Ensuring that AFCs are integrated into the local government units so that their functions, and responsibilities remain stable regardless of political and administrative changes.
鈼� Diversified Farming: Encouraging “backyard to big farm” transitions for crops like coffee, cassava, and vegetables to reduce dependency on expensive imports.
鈼� Government Subsidies: Direct support to buffer the impact of rising oil and input costs on small-scale farmers and fisherfolk.
During her tenure as the RAFC Chairperson, she personally exerted effort in promoting the following:
鈼� Initiated the “Bangko Basura” program for solid waste management.
鈼� Partnered with World Vision for environmental capacity building.
鈼� Lobbied for incentives and honorariums for AFC members in provinces like Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
A Golden Legacy
Today, Nilda spends her time between high-level policy meetings and her “communal garden” near her home, built on land she says is as solid as rock. When asked if she still has dreams for the AFC, her eyes light up. “While we are still alive, we are able to remember what we did. My life in agriculture is really a farmer’s life. Until we die, we will be there.”
Nilda Salas has spent four decades planting seeds. Some are planted in the ground, and many more in the hearts of the people she leads. As Region 10鈥檚 “Mother Earth,” she continues to prove that the most enduring harvests are those grown with patience, neutrality, and a lifelong love for the agri-fishery who feeds the nation.| Junry Danila
