QUEZON CITY, May 22, 2023 – Celebrating the 2023 National Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month, three (3) farmers associations (FAs) from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 1 were recognized for the Gawad Unlad Buhay awards for their substantial contributions in the development of agriculture and fisheries in the community level.

Held on May 15, 2023, the recognition ceremony with the theme: Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) is aimed at honoring outstanding farmers, fisherfolk, and organizations who continue to make agriculture sustainable that contribute to the nation building.

Banking on the concept of collective effort, the 2023 National Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month recognized 14 individuals and three (3) farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from different DA banner programs for corn, cassava, high-value crops (HVC), and livestock. 

Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, together with other DA officials and SAAD National Program Director Ulysses J. Lustria, led the awarding of the SAAD Program Distinguished Farmer to three (3) SAAD-organized FCAs namely: Blessed Corean Swine Raisers Association (BCSRA) with 35 members (Gawad Unlad Buhay Para sa Natatanging Sektor Awardee), D.Riconalla Farmers Association with 30 members (Gawad Unlad Buhay Para sa Agrikultura Awardee), and Lala Fishermen’s Cooperatives with 63 members (Gawad Unlad Buhay Para sa Pangisdaan Awardee).

During Phase 1 of the SAAD Program, BCSRA from Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro received the Swine Production Project, while in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, the D. Riconalla Farmers Association received Layer Chicken-Egg Production. The Lala Fishermen’s Cooperative from Lala, Lanao Del Norte was provided with Milkfish in Pen Production.

After the event, Mr. Crispin Baldonaldo, president of Lala Fishermen’s Cooperative significantly noted his gratitude to the program for providing them with livelihood assistance. 

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa SAAD dahil napakalaking tulong talaga ng programang ito sa aming mangingisda at maging sa aming asosasyon. Sana mas marami pang maliliit na mangingisda ang matulungan at maabot ng programa doon sa aming komunidad,” expressed Mr. Baldonaldo.

(We are grateful to SAAD since this program has been of great benefit to our fishermen even to our association. I hope that the initiative can reach more fisherman in our community)

The event was organized by the Department of Agriculture to honor substantial contributions of farmers and fisherfolk in the holistic development of agriculture and fisheries in the community level and nation building.

Committing to advancing rural and agricultural development, SAAD was granted to implement its Phase 2 getting a total budget of Php 1.175 billion for both agriculture and fisherfolk. ###

Writers: Kathleen Faye B. Agonoy, Jessamae Gabon, DA-SAAD NPMO Information Officers