CATARMAN, N. SAMAR – Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piňol issued a directive to fast track the implementation of the projects under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program.
This was learned from Dr. Elvira Torres, Assistant Regional Director for Research and Regulation and the Focal Person of the Regional SAAD Program Management Team, during the Discussion-Meeting with the Provincial SAAD Team conducted last week at the Governor’s Conference Room of the Provincial Capitol in the municipality of Catarman.
Torres added that the initially downloaded fund to the provincial government amounting to P25m is already allocated, which should prioritize farmers who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Farmers’ Organizations, and residents of areas that have high poverty incidences like those far-flung sitios of the Municipalities of Lope de Vega and Silvino Lobos.
Northern Samar Vice-Governor Gary Lavin assured the support of the Provincial Government to the various agriculture programs being implemented in the province, including SAAD.
He added that the provincial government is continually committed to increasing the livelihood opportunities of the people of Northern Samar.
ARD on Research and Regulation and Regional Focal for DA SAAD, Dr. Elvira Torres presented the SAAD updates during the March 15, 2017 discussion-meeting with SAAD Provincial Project Management Team in Catarman, Northern Samar.
Based on the data of the Community-Based Monitoring System or CBMS in Northern Samar, Silvino Lobos, Lope de Vega, Biri, Las Navas, Catubig, Lapinig, Mondragon, Pambujan, Mapanas, and Palapag are the municipalities that have a high rate of poverty incidence.
The three provinces of Eastern, Western, and Northern Samar are included in the priority provinces of the Department of Agriculture for SAAD for the next three years from 2017 to 2019.
The goal of the SAAD program is to increase farm production and consequently decrease the poverty incidence in those areas. ###
