ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, August 16, 2021- The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 9 conducted a Training-of-Trainers (TOT) on community-based financial management and simple bookkeeping for SAAD area coordinators (ACs) in Sulu and Zamboanga del Norte.

The 3-day TOT aims to enhance the program field implementers’ knowledge on basic financial management as they capacitate the SAAD beneficiaries in the province.

Fourteen (14) ACs from Zamboanga del Norte led by Provincial Coordinator Roger Dave Gramatica and 5 ACs from Sulu headed by Provincial Coordinator Jeff Salih attended virtually from July 28 to 30, 2021.

Manukan Municipal Accountant Vicente M. Ortiga Jr. served as the resource person for the activity. He taught basic bookkeeping systems and cash flow management.

Mr. Ortega emphasized that the common causes of projects to fail are poor planning, lack of leadership, inadequate knowledge, and “people problems.” The basic financial management will help the farmers eliminate the occurrence of these problems and increase the success rate of the livelihood enterprise.

Mr. Gramatica said SAAD ACs are expected to pursue innovative ideas for economic growth in their respective project areas.

“The SAAD staff, especially the ACs, must challenge the individual economic responsibilities of our farmers in the pursuit of setting goals, setting financial priorities, and protecting the organization from financial threats and other possible risks,” said Mr. Gramatica.###

Writer: Aimee Lou D. Madjus, Information Officer- DA Region 9, SAAD
Copy-editor: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO