SORSOGON, October 2, 2023 – Having shown exemplary performance among farmers’ associations (FAs) supported by the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Sorsogon, 45 members from seven (7) SAAD Phase 1 FAs are set to receive Php 900,000.00 cash assistance from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Selected individuals are members of Embarcadero Agri-Itik Farmers Association, Green Thumb Catanagan Farmers Association, Bacolod Women Organic Farmers Association, EMTUCABI Rice Farmers Association, and Taboc Organic Farmers Association from Juban; Naspi Agricultural Workers Association (NAWA), and Brgy. Pineda Productive Farmers Association from Pilar; and Gimagaan Indigenous People Farmers Association from Donsol. These FAs are in the list of SAAD Phase 1 beneficiaries endorsed by SAAD Bicol Region to the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Sorsogon.

This year, with the DSWD’s National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) listing of target beneficiaries, these individuals are among the households interviewed and collected with household composition, education, and housing conditions. The farmers’ data are then assessed, validated, and run through the agency’s database to ensure that only those who deserve to be included on the list are there, that no one is mistakenly left off, and that services are administered fairly and equitably.

Prior to SAAD Phase 1 conclusion, SAAD and DSWD’s SLP has joint effort under the direction of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program, an inter-agency task force ensuring the whole-of-government approach to eradicating hunger and achieving food security created by the virtue of Executed Order No. 101. As part of the partnership, DSWD-SLP Field Office collaborated with DA-SAAD Program in Bicol in selecting potential individuals to benefit from the cash assistance with the latter’s primary objective of enhancing their quality of life by providing capital funds and capability training aligned with marketing, thereby enhancing their potential as entrepreneurs. This last quarter of FY 2023, each of the individual members will receive Php 20,000 cash assistance.

Naspi Agricultural Workers’ Association (NAWA) member, Ms. Maribel Lopez extended her gratitude to both parties. “Dahil po sa SAAD, natawan ako nin saro pang oportunidad na mapili sa matatawanan kan DSWD na cash assistance na magsisirbing kapital para sa sakuyang magiging negosyo. Dakulaong bagay po ini para sakuya para pandagdag hanap-buhay para sa sakuyang pamilya,” said Ms. Lopez

(Because of SAAD, I was given an opportunity to receive assistance from DSWD, which will serve as capital for my enterprise. This additional livelihood assistance is truly a big help for me and my family.)

Moreover, as part of the social preparation component of the SLP project, the DSWD in partnership with the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) will be conducting a Microenterprise Development, Organizational and Leadership Training on September to prepare and guide the participants in improving their socio-economic condition by executing and producing sustainable enterprises in the future. ###

Writer: Pauline Trixia D. Borja, SAAD Bicol Information Officer
Sources: Mary Rose Detera, SAAD Associate Project Officer
Photos: SAAD Program Sorsogon