BAGUIO CITY, January 7, 2020 — The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program awarded the national winners of its Saga event for 2019 during the FY 2019 Annual Physical and Financial Assessment at Venus Parkview Hotel.

The Saga 2019 is a forum for the beneficiaries and partners of the program. It is a platform to recognize the farmers’ success and showcase their products through booths and exhibits.

Participants in the national awarding are Organization-Beneficiary Category winners from the provincial level. In 2019, the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Sarangani took part in the event.

In identifying the national winners, the National Program Management Office (NPMO) evaluated the national awarding participants through phone call interviews with the associations as well as their written case studies and presentations. The major criteria for the winners are records of the associations’ production and income from the project.

Ranked first is the Bacong Fishermen and Farmers Association of Zamboanga del Norte, followed by the Kamada Integrated Farmers Association of North Cotabato and the Cansoso Livelihood Association of Workers of Leyte.

Program Deputy Director Ulysses Lustria, Jr. handed out the plaques and certificates of recognition for the farmers’ associations to the Regional Program Management Support Offices (RPMSOs) 9, 12, and 8. The said RPMSOs will provide additional livelihood assistance to the winners in the coming years.

For the year 2020, the provinces of Maguindanao, Apayao, Misamis Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Bukidnon are expected to participate in the Saga event.Fisherfolks, who are also beneficiaries of the program through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, are anticipated to join the forum and trade exhibit. ###

Writer: Jemiema Arro, SAAD Public Relations & Communications Officer

Editor: Jhomai Canlas, SAAD Public Relations and Communications Head