Covered Areas

The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program is a flagship initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) aimed at addressing poverty in rural communities through targeted agricultural and fisheries interventions. The program strategically selects underprivileged and marginalized areas based on poverty incidence data and economic classification, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.

This page provides an overview of the provinces, municipalities, and regions covered under SAAD, categorized into Phase 1 (2017-2022) and Phase 2 (2023-2028).

Phase 2 Covered Areas

SAAD Phase 2 (2023-2028)

Building on the success of Phase 1, SAAD Phase 2 expands its reach and shifts its focus from food security to enterprise development, empowering beneficiaries to become agri-entrepreneurs. This phase prioritizes 5th-6th income class municipalities and the top one-third poorest provinces (excluding BARMM), as identified in:

  • PSA 2018 Small Area Estimates (SAE)
  • Department of Finance (DOF) Order No. 23-08

Expanded Coverage:

  • 56 Provinces
  • 619 Municipalities

Phase 2 introduces a more structured approach, integrating:

  • Social preparation for effective community engagement
  • Sustainable food production and livelihood assistance
  • Market linkages and enterprise development for long-term growth
  • Improved program management to ensure efficiency and impact
Phase 2 Covered Areas

SAAD Phase 1 (2017-2022)

During its initial phase, SAAD focused on providing immediate livelihood support to farmers and fishers in the top 10 poorest provinces per year, as identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2012 and 2015. In 2019, the program expanded its coverage to include conflict-affected areas under Executive Order No. 70 (ELCAC – End Local Communist Armed Conflict).

Key Coverage Statistics:

  • 11 Regions
  • 30 Provinces
  • 440 Municipalities and 27 Cities
  • 143,520 Individual Beneficiaries
  • 6,319 Farmers and Fishers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs)

Phase 1 emphasized household food security, ensuring that beneficiaries had access to agricultural inputs, training, and technical assistance to sustain their livelihoods.

With this expansion, SAAD continues to drive agricultural development, poverty reduction, and economic empowerment in the most vulnerable communities across the Philippines.