QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES—New Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Provinces for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 were oriented on the SAAD Program overview, concerns, among others at the DA New Building, Conference Room B on January 9, 2018, as attended by representatives from DA Regional Field Offices (RFO) IV-B, VI, XIII, Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division (SPCMAD), Planning and Monitoring Service (PMS), and SAAD – National Program Management Office (NPMO).

Representatives from CARAGA clarified about the intervention recipients, in which it was clarified that these can be provided to individuals and farmer groups or organizations. Also, representatives from RFO VI provided updates about the study conducted by University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) consultants. During the activity, it was also stressed that the social preparation of the new provinces should commence this year due to changes in the budget approach for FY 2019 Budget Preparation.

Also, the Log Frame Approach (LFA), a powerful methodological tool for planning and design has been likewise tackled was introduced. Ms. Nieva Natural of PMS discussed the LFA along with providing a sample exercise for the Regional Field Office (RFO) attendees.

The RFOs presented their sample log frames having noted that social and cultural aspects should be considered for Indigenous People (IP) beneficiaries. Further, Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIP) from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) can also be considered in the selection of interventions per province. Regarding small-scale food processing, compliance to Food Safety Act should also be considered.

It was agreed that the submission of the FY 2019 Budget Proposals will be on or before January 31 of this year.

Writer: Ela Arciaga, PR & Communications Officer

Source: Ms. Karla Borromeo, PDO II, Budget and Planning Cluster, DA-SAAD NPMO