IFUGAO, July 12, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program launched the beginning of Phase 2 in Banaue, Ifugao, through a one-day orientation event to inform and engage stakeholders about the objectives, strategies, and guidelines of the execution of SAAD Phase 2. 

By fostering collaboration and ensuring a shared understanding, the orientation aimed to lay the foundation for effective project implementation, ultimately leading to the development and growth of the agricultural sector in the Municipalities of Asipulo, Hingyon, and Tinoc. 

Held on June 6, 2023, said initiative led by the six (6) implementers from the Regional Program Management Support Office, gathered 36 representatives from the Provincial Governor’s Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Municipal Agriculturist Offices (MAOs) of Hingyon and Tinoc, as well as Mayor Florencio B. Nalula of Tinoc, and Mr. Robert Ullani, Sangguniang Bayan member. 

Introducing SAAD Phase 2 in Ifugao

On top of the orientation, Ms. Aida Pagtan, DA Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) Chief, presented the Social Preparation Component of the program to shed light on the fulfillment of the core components of the SAAD Program. These components encompass various essential aspects, including community needs assessment, profiling, and geo-tagging, as well as capacity and enterprise development. These components also form the backbone of the program’s approach, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs and potentials of the communities.

Alongside, SAAD implementers also explained the area selection of Phase 2, with a particular emphasis on targeting the top one-third of poorest municipalities based on the 2018 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Small Area Estimates, as well as 5th to 6th income class municipalities. 

During the session, the representatives gained an understanding of the guidelines that will govern the implementation of SAAD Phase 2. Aside from this, SAAD Associate Project Officers, Annaline Liccud and Ms Abigail Tudlong Bulangen, discussed the program coverage, beneficiary eligibility, and mechanics of implementation. 

Said engagement between the stakeholders and the program implementers highlighted the importance of strong collaboration by fostering a spirit of partnership and cooperation. 

Area selection in Ifugao 

For SAAD Phase 2, the province will cater three (3) municipalities namely, Asipulo with 32% poverty incidence rate, and Tinoc with 27%, while Hingyon is a 5th income class municipality. Farmers associations that will receive assistance will come from six (6) barangay units including Piweng, Mompolia, Camandag, Pula, Gumahang and Binablayan.

Hingyon Mayor Florencio B. Nalula recognized the impact of the SAAD Phase 1 and is optimistic that Phase 2 will deliver transformation among local farmers. Engineer Carmelita Buyuccan, Ifugao Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO), expressed her appreciation and highlighted the significance of the program as an avenue to engage with the communities. In her message, she also emphasized the need for dedicated efforts and active implementation at the grassroots level, emphasizing that these special projects enable the LGU to effectively reach and support the barrios in the province.

SAAD in Ifugao will embark on municipal orientation for the month of June followed by barangay orientation and implementation of the SAAD Phase 2 identifying Farmers’ Cooperatives Associations (FCA) beneficiaries in July. ###

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