MOUNTAIN PROVINCE—The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a Provincial Orientation at Archog Hotel, Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province on 27 November 2018.
They were joined by Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr.; Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Ms. Beverly T. Pekas; SAAD Area Coordinator (AC) Ms. Engracia P. Chugsayan, SAAD Admin. Aide IV Mr. Noel A. Ananey; staff from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET), SAAD Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO), Municipal Agriculturists, Barangay Captains, and some beneficiaries.
Prior to the implementation of any program/project, orientation is of paramount importance. Through this, stakeholders will be able to familiarize themselves on the whole gamut of the SAAD Program.
Also, implementers will identify issues and concerns that might affect the program in the long run. Therefore, strategies and approaches can also be identified in order to prevent any obstructions in the process. Most importantly, orientation/consultation will provide smooth communication among the implementers, staff in the province, region, as well as other offices/agencies.
The activity is participated by a complete attendance of barangay captains from the areas covered by SAAD. Pekas and the group applauded the barangay captains for their active participation. She stated that their complete attendance means a lot to them and hopes that it will continue until the Program ends.
Pekas also identified some of the potentials of Mt. Province which can be sustained or improved, such as:
- Producer of the best coffee Arabica,
- Producer of heirloom rice,
- Producer of native pig, and
- Producer of highland vegetables (next to Benguet)
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Ms. Mary-jane S. Tumapang explained the beneficiary selection process as well as the intervention to be given.
An open forum was also held to focus on different issues and concerns coming from the participants. The beneficiaries were heard as their comments were noted, to be presented to the concerned officials.
The following Barangay Consultation Schedules were also lined-up:
- January 9, 2019 in Barangay Bekigan, Sadanga
- January 10, 2019 in Barangay, Latang Barlig, and Barangay Napua, Sabangan
- January 11, 2019 in Barangay Leseb, Bauko
- January 15, 2019 in Barangay Dalican, Bontoc, and Barangay Pudo, Natonin
- January 16, 2019 in Barangay Katengan, Besao, and Barangay Bunot, Paracelis
- January 17, 2019 in Barangay Ankileng, and Sagada
- January 22, 2019 in Barangay Mabalite, and Tadian
Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan gave his warm welcome to the participants as he also expressed his gratitude to DA for the inclusion of Mt. Province in the SAAD Program. He thanked the Agriculture Department for bringing the Program in the province by saying “I wish that the implementation of SAAD will flow smoothly. Just follow simple instructions”. ###
Writer: April Jean D. Pascua, DA-SAAD CAR Administrative Assistant
Copy-Editor: Ela Arciaga, SAAD PR & Communications Officer
