MIMAROPA Region, October 2, 2024 –  

During the training in San Jose, Romblon, Prof. Alexander A. Mangoba from RSU emphasized the importance of core values for successful organizations. “Sa isang organisasyon [ay] kinakailangan [na] mayroon tayong tinatawag na values. Kasi ito ang nagiging pundasyon ninyo bilang isang asosasyon para maging epektibo ‘yong asosasyon ninyo,” he reminded the participants.

(In an organization, it is necessary that we have what we call values. Because these become the foundation for you as an association to be effective.)

Farmers actively engaged in discussions about their responsibilities and roles. The speakers emphasized that effective organizational management is a shared commitment among all members, not just the officials. They also guided the participants in defining their mission, vision, and goals, which are essential for the strategic planning of their activities.

Out of the 44 associations currently supported by the SAAD Program Phase 2 in the MIMAROPA region, 21 completed the training from August to September, while another 23 were set to participate from October to November. This includes five associations from Looc, Occidental Mindoro, where SAAD MIMAROPA collaborated with Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC).

Farmers expressed their gratitude for the knowledge gained from the training. “Marami pong salamat sa knowledge na pinagkakaloob ninyo sa amin gaya ng kung paano ma-manage ng maayos ang mga resources na meron kami. Marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat dahil nararating po ninyo ‘yong community namin na isla,” said Mrs. Elaine Maceda, president of the Villa Fria Farmers Association in Brgy. Villa Fria, Agutaya, Palawan.

(Thank you very much for the knowledge you have provided us, such as how to properly manage the resources we have. Thank you very much to all because you are reaching our island community.)

SAAD MIMAROPA Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM) Lead Jea Anne G. Yase encouraged farmers to put the knowledge they had gained into action to strengthen their organizations. She said that, “sana ‘yong mga bagay na natutunan natin dito sa training na ito ay mai-apply po natin sa ating asosasyon. Bawat isa po satin ay may karapatan at responsibilidad na pagandahin ang asosasyon at proyektong naibigay po sa atin.”

(Hopefully the things we learned here in this training will be applied to our association. Each one of us has the right and responsibility to improve the association and the projects given to us.)

SAAD MIMAROPA personnel facilitated the training together with the faculty members from RSU and PSU. Local governments also supported the conduct of the activities through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) in each municipality.

The organizational management training was one of many initiatives the SAAD Program undertook to empower farmers and their organizations by enhancing their skills and knowledge, from management to production and marketing.  ###

Writer: Melissa F. Lingco, DA-SAAD Information Officer II

Source: Jea Anne G. Yase, DA-SAAD MIMAROPA Association Project Officer II