BICOL, October 3, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Bicol reported 89.63% financial obligation and 89.59% fund disbursement during the regional FY 2023 midyear assessment.

SAAD Bicol was able to obligate 89.63% or Php 75,944,395.30 out of Php 84,731,000.00 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) funds for 2023 used for delivering agricultural livelihood interventions and services to 1,500 newly assisted farmers.

Held on August 24, 2023, the activity was spearheaded by SAAD Bicol Assistant Focal Person, Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez. The event was participated by the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) along with the provincial implementers from Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. Also present were the Research Outreach Station (ROS) Superintendents and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers (APCOs) from the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon, as well as representatives from Technical Working Group (TWG), Ms. Lovella Guarin, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Section (RAFIS) Chief, Mr. Florentino Ubalde Jr., Regional Food Production and Livelihood Cluster Lead, and Mr. Renato Acasio, SAAD Alternate Assistant Focal Person.

The meeting covered the program’s physical and financial accomplishments for the first semester of the fiscal year (FY) 2023. SAAD Bicol conducted 60 social preparation activities, 52 specialized production training on rice, corn and cassava, high value crops, organic agriculture, and poultry production, and delivered agricultural interventions to 49 farmers associations (FAs) from 20 SAAD covered municipalities achieving a 100% success rate in meeting the program’s physical targets for the first semester.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rodriguez lauded the entire regional and provincial implementing body of the program. She extended her gratitude to the staff as the program continues to provide quality assistance to its beneficiaries.

With an outstanding first half of the year, SAAD Bicol looks forward to continuing its best practices in their goal to help beneficiaries residing in the marginalized areas in Bicol Region. In line with this, the program implementers will conduct regular monitoring activities, thereby assisting the FAs upon entering towards the Food Production and Livelihood component of the program. ###

Writer: Raynette B. De Jesus, DA-SAAD Bicol Information Officer
Photos: SAAD Program Bicol