QUEZON PROVINCE, November 11, 2023 – Aiming to provide the farmers the correct rules for running a meeting and to increase their level of awareness on financial planning, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) CALABARZON conducted a training session on Parliamentary Procedures and Financial Literacy on  October 10, 2023 at Brgy. Pambuhan, Perez, Quezon.

Said training attended by forty-four (44) farmers from Coconut Farmers, Fisherfolks and Hog Raisers Association (CoFFiSeRa) was spearheaded by the Municipal Councilor of Perez, Ms. Andrea V. Olas.

On efficient conduct of meetings, Ms. Olas shared the importance of using tools such as gravel and gong in order to foster an environment conducive to decision-making. This is about extending courtesy to everyone and ensuring the rights of the minority.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive lecture on parliamentary procedures was also discussed. 

Parliamentary  procedures establish an organized and structured way to conduct meetings and ensure equal participation among the members. It is the set of formal rules and guidelines designed to govern the meetings and decision-making activities, while financial management guides the association in managing financial resources for the sustainability and growth of the association. It includes participants’ understanding and competence in formulating financial statements crucial for the establishment of Community-Based Enterprises. This additional training is poised to play a pivotal role in the continued success of FCAs.

To date, said participants are determined to apply their knowledge through formulating resolutions, budgeting, record-keeping, and wise spending, enabling better use of available resources. 

Additionally, role-playing on conducting formal meetings was done for farmers to have a better understanding of parliamentary procedures.  These exercises were designed to enhance meeting efficiency and promote orderly procedures, essential for the governance of Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations.

The training also addressed the fundamental financial concepts. The emphasis was on personal budgeting to empower farmers in managing both personal and business finances effectively. Activities on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis were also included, providing farmers with a practical tool to make informed decisions before venturing into business investments.

Looking ahead, Ms. Olase proposed further intensive training sessions on financial literacy geared towards advancing their organization, while in 2024, the group will receive livelihood intervention on swine production. ###

Writers: Pamela Faith M. Garcia and Jayvee Amir P. Ergino, SAAD CALABARZON Information Officers