Emphasizing a sustained commitment to empowering the nation’s agricultural backbone, Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Director Ulysses J. Lustria Jr. reaffirmed the program’s dedication to equipping farmers with sustainable, entrepreneurial skills that extend beyond immediate relief.
During his visit to Pakil, Laguna on Wednesday, May 21, Dir. Lustria highlighted the program’s comprehensive “mana-buhay” approach, which has consistently fostered long-term self-sufficiency.
“Sa ating proyekto sa SAAD, ang tunay na kagandahan ay ang pagiging nakatutok nito. Ito ang tinatawag nating ‘mana-buhay’ – hindi lamang ito nagbibigay ng pangkabuhayan, kundi nakatuon din sa pagsasanay: mula sa pagtatanim, sa produksyon, hanggang sa pagbunga nito bilang isang negosyo. Iyan ang hamon nating lahat, na ito ay maging isang ganap na negosyo. Upang pagkatapos ng ating programa, kayo ay maging handa na. Kaya niyo nang tumayo sa sarili ninyo,” bared Dir. Lustria.
(The beauty of our SAAD project is its focused approach. It provides more than livelihood—it provides training, from planting to production, until it becomes a business. That’s our challenge: to turn this into a business. So that when the program ends, you’ll be able to stand on your own.)
Dir. Lustria was joined by SAAD-CALABARZON Regional Focal Person Dr. Wilmer S. Faylon, Municipal Agriculturist Theresita A. Payumo, Agriculture Program Coordinating Office Representative Kenneth Bryan Centeno, and SAAD Area Coordinator Melvin A. Dita. The group personally led the distribution of crucial agricultural interventions to farmer-beneficiaries in Barangays Casa Real and Banilan, Pakil.
The distributed farm inputs included complete and ammonium phosphate fertilizers, organic fertilizer, and essential farm tools such as bolos, hoes, plastic drums, trellising twine, seedling trays, and insecticide.
Representatives from the farmers’ associations expressed their appreciation for the intervention. Arnel Cabanalan, President of the Samahan ng Maggugulay ng Casa Real, conveyed gratitude during the short program.
“Nakakatuwa po na ang ating samahan ay naaabot ng pansin. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin upang makapagsimula kami. Sasamahan na lang namin ng sipag at tiyaga at dedikasyon sa paghahanapbuhay. Iingatan po namin at pagyayamanin,” said Arnel Cabanalan, President of the Samahan ng Maggugulay ng Casa Real.
(It brings us joy that our association is being recognized. This is a great help for us to get started. We’ll match it with hard work, perseverance, and dedication. We will take care of this and make it grow.)
For his part, Dr. Faylon highlighted the spirit of unity promoted by SAAD. “Gusto ng SAAD na magkaisa ang lahat. Kitang-kita naman po ngayong umaga nagsama-sama at nakasuot ng tayo nang iisang kulay na isang magandang indikasyon na nagiging maganda ang takbo ng ating samahan na pangunahing ipinakilala ng SAAD—ang bumuo ng asosasyon. Dahil sa paraang ito, maraming tulong ang maaaring matanggap kapag may samahan.”
(SAAD aims to unite everyone. It’s very evident this morning, as we all gathered wearing the same color – a strong indication of a successful association, one of SAAD’s core goals. Through associations, more support becomes accessible.)
The activity marked a significant step in fostering stronger partnerships between the national program and local farming communities, reinforcing SAAD’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development. ###
