OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, May 23, 2023 – To ensure the long-term success of the newly-established farmers’ associations (FA), the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program phase 2 in MIMAROPA conducted capability-building training on organizational development to three (3) farmers’ associations in the island barangay of Ambil, Looc, Occidental Mindoro.

Conducted this second quarter of the year, the training was attended by a total of 75 farmers from Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Balikyas, Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Kanluran, and Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Ambil actively participated in the activities, with each association having 25 participants. The farmers are engaged in rainfed rice production, cattle raising, vegetable production mainly for household consumption, fishing, carpentry, and construction jobs.

The capability-building training equips the associations with the essential organizational and financial management skills necessary to effectively manage and sustain the interventions and is at the third stage of the social preparation component. It was conducted in partnership with the Research Division and the Institutional Development Unit (IDU) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) MIMAROPA.

 “Layunin nito na turuan kayo paano palakasin ang inyong organization kasi kung ang inyo pong organization ay hindi buo at hiwa-hiwalay kayo ay wala tayong patutunguhan. Ang mangyayari po ay hindi mabibigyang halaga ang proyekto na binigay ng gobyerno sa ating lahat. Sana po [ay] bigyan ninyo ng halaga ang pamamahala ng inyong samahan at ang mga proyekto na binigay sa inyo,” said SAAD MIMAROPA Regional Lead Marissa DV. Vargas.

 (The objective of this training is to teach you how to strengthen your organization because if you are divided, you will not achieve anything. The project given by the government to all of us will not be valued. I hope you prioritize the management of your association and the projects given to you.)

 Organizational Development

Rico D. Mangubat, Agriculturist under the IDU discussed modules on the importance, rights and responsibilities, values formation, leadership, and communication of the associations.

Meanwhile, Precious Je Tarog, a social worker and a technical staff of the Research Division, enumerated the roles, qualities, and effective management of the organization in the community.

 “Ang tagumpay ng inyong samahan ay hindi lamang dapat iasa sa mga opisyales, kailangan ang kooperasyon na may kasamang disiplina, sipag, at katapatan ng bawat isa para kayo ay umangat” (The success of your organization should not only rely on the officials; it requires the cooperation with discipline, hard work, and honesty of each individual for you to progress), said Mr. Mangubat.

Bookkeeping

During the second part of the training, the participants were taught about record-keeping and creating basic financial statements. Mr. Tarog discussed the importance of keeping records of every aspect of the association and its transactions emphasizing the importance of recording in resource management, transparency, and group credibility for future activities.

The associations in return expressed their interest in learning basic bookkeeping and their commitment to being responsible for paying their membership fees and monthly dues. 

“Natutuwa ako na parang mga accountant kami sa paggawa ng mga [financial] statement, kumpara noon na hindi malinaw ang lahat. Ito ay nagbibigay ng transparency at hindi na kami nagtatanong kung saan napupunta ang mga pondo ng asosasyon. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” shared Lorna O. Insigne, one of the participants.

(I was delighted that we felt like accountants as we learned how to create [financial] statements, unlike before when everything was unclear. It provides transparency, and we no longer wonder where the association’s funds go. Thank you to all of you.)

SAAD MIMAROPA will continue to complete the capability-building training for the remaining 12 FAs in Palawan and the 26 FAs in Romblon before rolling out the livelihood projects distribution from May to June.###

Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer
Sources: Jea Anne S. Gasmeña, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officer
Oliver B. Cosme, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator