28/10/2026
🌾 The planting season is just around the corner!
Before the palay seeds are sown, there is an important task that must be done first: clearing the irrigation canals to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of water to the fields.
In our community, this traditional collective activity is called “Ga-at.” Every household is required to participate, as maintaining the irrigation system is a shared responsibility. Attendance is checked, and households that fail to participate are fined.
The fines are collected by designated individuals in a practice known as “Ton-ton.”
More than just preparing the fields for planting, Ga-at reflects the spirit of cooperation, discipline, and shared responsibility that has long been part of our community's agricultural traditions. It reminds us that before we can expect a fruitful harvest, we must first work together to prepare the land and ensure that every field receives the water it needs. 🌱💚
