DAVAO CITY, November 25-28, 2019 – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a three-day Values Formation Workshop at the Philippine Coconut Authority Complex, Tugbok District, Davao City.

Twenty-five provincial key players of the Mindanao A cluster (Regions IX and X) attended the workshop which aimed to develop positivity within oneself and work effectively as a team. The event had the theme, “Think Well, Feel Well and Do Well”.

SAAD Program Director Myer G. Mula stressed the strengthened collaboration between SAAD and other DA units such as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) for a smoother program implementation. Dir. Mula also reiterated the program’s expansion to cover Executive Order 70 issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Through artworks, attendees shared personal work experiences, perspective and reflections to shed all negativity and regain inner peace and joy. They also discussed about building connections and being mindful of co-workers, as well as learning how to deal with different personalities to foster a harmonious work environment.

Finally, the participants learned how to work well by feeling empowered and strategically responding to certain situations in the workplace. They were also taught to know one self’s value, and live one’s purpose to be effective public servants.

After the three-day workshop, the resource speakers, Ms. Ruby Lauren Manuel, Ms. Neo Madelaine Alomia and Ms. Joan Clarisse Guinto from Institute of Integrality, Inc. expressed their gratefulness on how actively the team participated in the activity.

With renewed purpose and perspective, the attendees look forward to serve the SAAD partner-farmers better. ###

Co-writers: Marie Abigail G. dela Cruz and Ian Kevin M. Sevilla, SAAD National Program Monitoring Office