BICOL, December 1, 2021 –The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Bicol together with the development officers of the SAAD national office conducted a Result-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Rapid Appraisal (RBMERA) in the provinces of Catanduanes and Sorsogon from November 16 to 18, 2021 to evaluate project field implementations and maintain timely delivery of interventions to the beneficiaries.

Masbate was not included in the RBMERA due to COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the provincial local government unit.

The activity was led by SAAD Bicol Action Officer Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, DA-Region 5 Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Sorsogon Florentino Ubalde Jr., SAAD regional staff, and SAAD national Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) Officers Marie Abigail De La Cruz, Ashley Mae Apigo, and Gio Renzo Caballero.

The RBMERA is one of the activities of the SAAD Program to evaluate the SAAD beneficiaries and the impact of its projects. Its conduct will justify the importance of the program and will serve as a basis for possible extension.

To review and harmonize the project implementation procedures of the DA-SAAD Bicol in line with the guidelines set by the national office, the regional process flow was revisited during the monitoring. SAAD Catanduanes and Sorsogon also presented their provincial process flow.

The regional and provincial process flow shows how the SAAD Program started its implementation and how the SAAD beneficiaries were chosen such that consultation and coordination with local government units (LGU) and other stakeholders were conducted, and data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on poverty incidence were considered during the planning stage.

SAAD officers visited the vegetable production project of the San Roque Vegetable Association, duck production of the San Miguel SAAD Duck Raisers Association, poultry production of the Hidhid Farmers Association, and the corn production of the Naspi Agricultural Workers Association.

The four projects were identified covering the following: Funds transferred to the LGUs; Local Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) involvement; Enterprises established; Big ticket projects; Typhoon-affected areas; Reported projects to 8888; and Identified projects based on the potential, struggles, and the change of directions.

On October 16, 2021, San Roque Vegetable Association (SRVA) showcased their production area measuring 400 square meters (sqm) in Bato where the casual interview was conducted.

The SRVA is a women-led group that recently graduated from the season-long Farmer Field School (FFS) on Vegetable Production Technology conducted from June 24 to October 8.

Meanwhile, in Baras, the duck project of the San Miguel SAAD Duck Raisers Association was also evaluated, recording continued progress on production and gradual establishment of small-scale egg enterprises within the area where transactions are recorded and sales are saved for the association’s fund.

Another poultry project in Sorsogon was visited where 20 members of the Hidhid Farmers Association are managing 400 stocks of Kabir native chicken in a communal area measuring 1,000sqm. The project has been up and running since the provision of interventions on August 5.

During the interview, Hidhid Farmers Association member Policarpio Ramos shared, “Mas maganda ang grupo kasi nagkakadarayunan (It is better as a group because we work together).”

The group, through its president Rufino Gallanosa also shared their plans to produce organic feeds with the help of the program as alternative animal feed when supplies run out.

Moreover, the Naspi Agricultural Workers Association (NAWA), established in 2020 amid the pandemic in Pilar, warmly welcomed the national to provincial team of the DA-SAAD.

The group provided stories of their accomplishments aligned to their mission, vision, and plans, issues and problems within the association;

They already established a talipapa (small wet/temporary market) for promotion of their products; and plans to acquire machinery such as corn shelter, act mini corn mitt, and cassava chopper.

Ubalde Jr. reminded the association to keep the good relationship among its members for the continued success of the association.

Municipal Mayor of Pilar Carolyn Sy-Reyes said, “Isa ang SAAD sa mga pinakagusto ko na projects kasi makikita talaga ang impact (SAAD is one of the projects that I like because you can really see its impact).”

Information gathered during the monitoring and evaluation activities will serve as a basis to come up with policy recommendations to further assist the SAAD farmers. ###

Writer: Angelica A. Blanco, RPMSO Information Officer

Sources:

Maribeth A. Mangalino RPMSO Report Officer

Melrose B. Buetre, SAAD Catanduanes Provincial Coordinator

Pauline Trixia D. Borja, SAAD Sorsogon Information Officer

Photo sources:

Angelica A. Blanco, RPMSO Information Officer

Romy Judson G. Eusebio, SAAD Catanduanes IT Officer

Pauline Trixia D. Borja, SAAD Sorsogon Information Officer