BAGUIO CITY, July 23-24, 2020 – With its aim to alleviate poverty in the farming communities, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program provided livelihood interventions to the 30 poorest provinces in the country starting in 2017. To see the results and discuss issues, SAAD Cordillera Region conducts M & E activities such as this Midyear Assessment for FY2020.

The activity was spearheaded by SAAD Program Director Myer Mula; Department of Agriculture – Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) Office-in-Charge Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey; DA-CAR Regional Technical Director (RTD) Danilo Daguio; and SAAD-RPMSO Focal Person Mr. Teofilo Landes.

In his speech, Dir. Mula oriented the participants and gave updates on the program’s strategies, goals, partnerships, policies, and CAR issues and concerns that would strengthen program implementation. Dir. Mula, together with the DA-CAR officials and staff, shared relevant inputs for the project implementation for FYs 2020 and 2021.

Dir. Odsey also reminded the field implementers to continue and improve the good practices of the program. “We should complement and supplement the DA regular programs,” Dir. Odsey said.

Also, RTD Daguio encouraged the participants to be more vocal about their experiences while on the field, especially on the problems that hinder their smooth and effective project implementation.

Discussed during the event was the physical and financial accomplishment of SAAD CAR for FY 2020. As of July 20, 2020, the implementing unit obligated an amount of Php 95,284,026.75 which is 63% of its total budget (Php 150M).

The important issues relative to the procurement process and the project implementation were also reviewed.

Preparation for FY 2021 Program Implementation

The initial guidelines for the selection of beneficiaries for FY 2021 were also discussed.

The social preparation activities for the newly identified 16 barangays from the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province are set to be conducted in the 3rd to 4th quarters of 2020.

Meanwhile, 8 SAAD-existing barangays will conduct workshops for the finalization of the FY 2021 Work and Financial Plan. The activities are scheduled for Apayao from August 3 to 4, Kalinga from August 6 to 7, and Mountain Province from August 11 to 12. ###

Writer: Evangeline Yambot, SAAD-CAR, Regional Information Officer