MIMAROPA, July 27, 2023 – Nineteen (19) farmers associations from Romblon and Palawan underwent Capability-Building Training (CBT) on organizational development prior to receiving livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) in MIMAROPA aimed at strengthening farmers’ organizational management and leadership.

From May 1 to June 15, the CBT was led by Operational Planning Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation (OPBME) Head of Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) Ms. Marissa DV. Vargas and SAAD Associate Project Officers Maiden Marie M. Segui and Jea Anne S. Gasmeña, with the municipal government and barangay officials who took part in the coordination and mobilization of the participants.

A total of 375 farmers residing in the municipalities of San Andres, Ferrol, and Alcantara, Romblon, as well as 85 farmers in Balabac, Palawan attended the training.

Prior to CBT, the farmers underwent Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA), which determined the different agricultural and socio-cultural backgrounds of each FA. Results from the BNA studies show that the most common problems that the farmers face in all stages of production are high cost of agricultural inputs and lack of machinery to improve productivity and reduce production expenses.

The farmers also expressed a desire for capacity-building training prior to the delivery of livelihood interventions. This leads to the implementation of CBT, which aims to broaden their understanding of leadership, sharpen their organizational management skills, and assist them in achieving the criteria of one’s ideals, thus strengthening their bond as a group.

Emphasizing the conduct of CBT in Romblon and Palawan

As per the CBT process, SAAD implementers formed teams to conduct training sessions. Each group had two (2) facilitators and a resource speaker. These teams were deployed in venues accessible to farmers such as barangay halls.

Resource speakers, Ms. Marieta Alvis-Sietas, Head of the Institutional Development Unit  (IDU) of Regional Field Unit (RFO) of MIMAROPA, and Mr. Rico D. Mangubat, IDU technical staff, emphasized the importance of maintaining an open and effective communication within the associations to promptly address issues that may hinder their growth. Alongside, Engr. Cleo Begaso, Administrative Assistant of Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO), discussed record-keeping and the preparation of financial statements to guide the farmers in managing their associations’ finances and transactions.

Fostering better communication among members, the training became an avenue for the participants to express perspectives within the organization. With this, Ms. Anelinda Martinez, President of Doña Trinidad FA in San Andres expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn about managing their association.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami ng marami sa inyo na nalaman namin ang lahat ng paraan sa pagpapalakad ng aming asosasyon at lahat ng mga tinuro ninyo sa amin ay masusunod namin. Sisikapin po namin na kaming mga members ng asosasyon ay magkakaisa para mapalago ang aming asosasyon,” said Ms. Martinez.

(We thank you because we learned the ways to manage our association and we will follow everything you have taught us. We will strive to unite as members of the association to promote its growth.)

To note, SAAD implementers will procure target livelihood inputs tailored to the needs of the 19 FAs from Romblon and Palawan . Out of the 19 target livelihood interventions, 5 are livestock and poultry related, 7 are corn and rice related, and 7 high-value-crops related.

Table 1. List of FAs and target livelihood projects

Alongside, SAAD MIMAROPA will also conduct specialized training from June 15 onwards to  equip the FAs with proper management thereby sustaining the livelihood projects that will be provided by the program. ###

Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Information Officer
Sources: Jea Anne S. Gasmeña, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officer, Maiden Marie M. Segui, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Associate Project Officer, Vilmar Robes, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator, Palawan, Ian Yadao, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator, Palawan, Relan Sabac, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator, Romblon, Jhonzell Panganiban, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator, Romblon, Jercel Catubig, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Area Coordinator, Romblon