BAGUIO CITY, April 16, 2024 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is ensuring data accuracy by updating the data gathered from its beneficiaries during the initial profiling activities. This initiative began in February 2024 with the Tublay Central Aduyon Farmers’ Association (TCAFA) in Tubay, Benguet.

Data Controller IV Mr. Leonard Malateo from SAAD CAR’s Information Technology and Database Development (ITDD) Unit led the updating for the profiling of the 30 TCAFA members. He explained that the SAAD National Program Management Office (NPMO) requires additional information about the farmers, necessitating the update. Mr. Malateo guided the TCAFA members through the process, assisting them in completing the questionnaires.

This updating of beneficiaries’ data extends beyond Tublay, with six other farmers associations in the towns of Kibungan and Sablan, with a total of 180 members, also scheduled for the process. 

As of date, DA-SAAD CAR has already enrolled and profiled 82 farmers’ associations with 2,460 members across the region. These beneficiaries are targeted to receive various agricultural livelihood projects and training throughout the year.

SAAD Area Coordinators and Community Development Officers are currently conducting on-site re-profiling activities across the 41 municipalities of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province – ensuring they collect all necessary attachments during these visits.

Once the updating is complete, SAAD CAR’s ITDD Unit will update the central registry system with the gathered information from April to June 2024. This updated data will form the foundation of the working SAAD Phase 2 database.

Additionally, SAAD is collaborating with the Regional Unit of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture to cross-check the collected information, ensuring its accuracy.

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Writer: Maria Elena G. Catajan, SAAD CAR Information Officer

Sources: Benny Mangili, SAAD Community Development Officer, Leonard Malateo, SAAD Data Controller