In 2013, Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE) facilitated the development of the Agriculture Code of Arakan, North Cotabato. The code compiled all existing local ordinances on agriculture and added new provisions that would reflect the desire of the communities for a sustainable agricultural system. To develop the agricultural code, SEARICE and the Municipality of Arakan co-organized an ordinance-writing workshop for farmer leaders (women and men) of the municipality, led by a lawyer working with SEARICE. The Draft Code was then submitted for consideration and adoption. Provisions include (1) management, utilization, exchange and development of PGRFA, including protection of local seed systems and institutionalization of community seed banks; (2) municipal guaranteed protection of farmer-bred varieties, including the institutionalization of a seed registry and protection against misappropriation; (3) free access to seed for all farmers; (4) a ban on genetically modified organisms (GMO); (4) facilitating and monitoring access and benefit-sharing, including through the Arakan Farmers’ Trust Fund; (5) protection and promotion of Farmers’ Rights; (6) provision of incentives for farmer-breeders of traditional and indigenous varieties; (7) development of a loan assistance program; and (8) commitment to make an annual Farmers’ Day a permanent part of the Municipal Foundation Anniversary.