OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, March 14, 2022 – Impact assessment of projects is in motion among the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program’s beneficiaries in Occidental Mindoro led by state universities as program nears conclusion.

SAAD MIMAROPA conducts Social Preparation and Enterprise Development Assessment spearheaded by Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC) to extract significant information to be used as basis for SAAD Phase 2.

According to Ms. Rocelyn M. Barroga, Professor III of CLSU, “Kami (CLSU) ang kinomisyon ng DA-SAAD para mag-conduct ng study kung ano ang naging epekto ng SAAD Program sa mga benepisyaryo nito at sa komunidad. Ang magiging findings ng study na ito ay gagamitin bilang isa sa mga basehan ng pagpapatuloy ng SAAD tungo sa phase 2,” stated Professor Barroga.

(We [CLSU] are commissioned by the DA-SAAD to conduct a study to determine the effects of the SAAD Program in the lives of its beneficiaries and in the community. The findings of this study will be used as one of the bases of the implementation of SAAD phase 2.)

Three (3) SAAD associations from Brgy. Calawag namely: Poultry Calawag Association (PCA), Calawag Mushroom Association (CMA), and Calawag Service Provider Association (CSPA) were identified to participate in the activity while two associations were selected from Brgy. Laste, the Sipag at Tiyaga Wood Vinegar Farmers Association (STWVFA) and Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Laste FA (NSLFA).

CLSU utilized a random sampling method; ten (10) members from each community based enterprise (CBE) with an average of 30 members were interviewed to assess the effects of social preparation and enterprise development while ten non-SAAD beneficiaries per CBE were also consulted to gather counterfactual data.

Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and barangay officials of Calawag assisted in identifying respondents and facilitating the activity while CLSU and OMSC staff conducted the interviews.

Five (5) officers from each association met with Dr. Ronaldo Orpiano, Dean of College of Agriculture, OMSC in a focus group discussion to talk about SAAD project implementation, management, and financial status.

Some of the areas seen for improvement are:

•       Strengthening the associations’ record-keeping
•       Regular updating of financial statements to help associations visualize their group’s performance
•        Posting an information bulletin for easy access to information regarding the projects, interventions, and group’s operations

Many Masangkay, a member of CSPA, said that he will continue to participate in their association because it contributed to the growth of his income.

“Kahit na matapos na ang SAAD next year, hindi pa rin kami aalis sa asosasyon kasi nakakatulong ‘yung service provider na makabawas sa aming gastusin sa sakahan…Kung kami [ang tatanungin], mas gusto pa sana namin na magpatuloy pa rin ang SAAD kasi malaking bagay yung suporta nila sa amin,” Masangkay shared.

(Even if SAAD ends next year, we will not quit the association because the project helps to reduce our expenses on our farm…For us, we want SAAD to continue because its support is a great help to us.)­

Another batch of CBEs were interviewed on March 3, 2022 from Brgy. Balao, Abra de Ilog and Brgy. Harrison, Paluan, targeting a total of 140 respondents (70 SAAD beneficiaries and 70 non-SAAD beneficiaries) and 35 organization officers (5 each from 7 CBEs out of 15 total CBEs) in the province.

The activity is part of a simultaneous assessment by CLSU in partnership with other SUCs in the 21 SAAD-covered provinces to assess the program’s holistic impact on its beneficiaries. ###

Writer: Dianne Francis A. Sy, SAAD Information Officer I

Sources: Vilmar J. Robes, SAAD Area Coordinator – Magsaysay,

Dr. Rocelyn M. Barroga, Professor III, Central Luzon State University, College of Agriculture.