MAGUINDANAO – A brighter future awaits the local farmers of Maguindanao as the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program officially launches in the said province in BBGM Function Hall, Buluan on May 02, 2017, Tuesday. Under the program, 20 out of 36 municipalities in Maguindanao will benefit from various agricultural interventions.
SAAD focal person for Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), Cecilia Parcon, kicked-off the event with a brief orientation and presentation on the SAAD program, followed by the opening remarks of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu.
Gov. Mangudadatu welcomes all the participants in the special occasion that may change their current situation. He, however, reminds everyone to remain contented with what they have and possess self-control. The ceremonial distribution of agri-inputs to the beneficiaries followed. This includes small farming equipment and tools, fertilizers (liquid and solid), tarpaulin, rice and corn seeds and others.
SAAD Program Director Lerey A. Panes along with Region 12 Executive Director Engr. Mila Casis and Hon. Mangudadatu, steered the ceremonial distribution of agri-inputs to the farmers of Maguindanao. The interventions, under the P25M first tranche of SAAD budget for the province, will be formally distributed through the Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) headed by Norma Piang, Provincial Coordinator for Maguindanao.
Following the ceremonial distribution, Engr. Casis gave her message of encouragement to the farmers as well as to the people behind the SAAD Program. In her speech, she said “development is transforming the lives of people, not just the economy” thus pushing the SAAD team to join in the fight against poverty in the country.
Asec. Panes also gave a piece of advice to the recipients of the SAAD program to change their mindset or consciousness in order to successfully alter their environment. To boot, “Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, a pro-farmer, is ready to help the needy thus the establishment of the SAAD program.” He also mentions that Mindanao is a “sleeping giant” with its rich resources; hence, all farmers must work hand in hand to utilize and make the most out of it.
The program launching of the SAAD Program in Maguindanao closed in peace and high hopes for the betterment of the lives of the local farmers and of agriculture in the said province.
Debulaeg Utto, Officer-in-charge of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) in Maguindanao officially closed the ceremony with his message of support for the SAAD Program.
Utto, Gov. Mangudadatu, Engr. Casis and ASec. Panes, along with Daud Legasi, OIC of Provincial Agricultural Office of Maguindanao and Mosibicak Guiabel, Provincial Agriculturist, signed the “Commitment of Support” for the implementation of the SAAD program in the area.
Maguindanao is among the top ten priority provinces of the said program for 2017. Others include Apayao, Negros Oriental, Northern, Eastern and Western Samar, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Sarangani and North Cotabato. ###
