SOUTH COTABATO, October 18, 2022 – Dedicated to the development of marginalized Filipino communities by providing livelihood opportunities in the agriculture sector, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture Region (DA) 12 prepares its Phase 2 provinces through series of consultative meetings. This includes a presentation and discussion of the program’s operational framework with the ultimate goal of food security and streamlining beneficiaries to a small-scale enterprise.

Continually expanding, the regional SAAD team presented their strategies for the implementation of Phase 2, setting target-beneficiary profiling based on the criteria set. The expansion will benefit 27 municipalities from Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato, with the last one as the new addition to SAAD-covered provinces, prioritizing those who belong to the 5th and 6th income class and the top 1/3 with the highest poverty incidence rates reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2018.

On October 11, the local government unit (LGU) representatives from the municipalities of T’boli, Lake Sebu, and Tampakan, South Cotabato convened for an orientation meeting. 

SAAD 12 Focal Person Julie Mie Belongan introduced the program and its four components which serve as pillars toward a holistic transformation of the socio-economic conditions of the rural communities. The Phase 1 program and project executions were also tackled, including the livelihood projects provided, beneficiaries served, and the list of established enterprises.

For Phase 2, the target projects include upland rice, open-pollinated variety (OPV) and hybrid corn, and livestock commodities.

Incorporating the lessons learned from Phase 1, the DA-SAAD 12 will step up its support for farmers, uphold the commitment to provide what they deserve and recognize them as partners in development. The management team will also take into account concerns relating to equity, self-reliance, and sustainability. 

Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (APCOs) for Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, Mr. Rey Domingo and Mr. Marvin Segovia, as well as Sarangani’s Deputy Team Leader, Ms. Araceli Morano, and SAAD provincial staff, all participated in the activity, which was led by Engineer Belongan. ###

Writer: Anabell  F. Llemit, DA-SAAD Region 12 Administrative Assistant III
Source: DA-SAAD Region 12