The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD), through its national, regional, and provincial offices, conducted a site visit to Kadalag-An Farmers Association (FA) in Alcantara, Romblon, last January 27 to assess the implementation and use of broiler production interventions under the program.
The visit was led by SAAD National Program Management Office (NPMO) Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Unit Lead Engr. Meljun Florece and MIMAROPA Coordinator Faith Faulmanal. They were joined by SAAD MIMAROPA Regional Lead Marissa Vargas, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) representative and SAAD MIMAROPA Technical Working Group (TWG) Chair Engr. Dindo Labrador, and sub-unit leads from Food Production and Livelihood (FPL), Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED), and Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM), along with other regional and provincial staff.
During the site visit, the team checked the association’s communal area and observed proper housing, feeding, and sanitation practices. The activity allowed them to directly evaluate how SAAD-provided inputs were being managed and maximized by the group.
Kadalag-An FA, a beneficiary under the SAAD FY 2025 expansion, shared its production practices and daily operations. The association received 1,200 broiler chicks and other essential production inputs from the program.
FA President Evan Teodosio discussed their experience in managing the project, including routine feeding, cleaning, and coordination among members. Despite being one of the “baby associations” under SAAD in MIMAROPA, the group demonstrated its capacity to sustain the project. Using its own funds, the association was able to purchase an additional 208 broiler chickens, showing its commitment to growing the enterprise.
Engr. Florece emphasized the importance of site visits in ensuring that program interventions are properly implemented and aligned with SAAD’s goal of developing sustainable Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs).
“Nagpapasalamat po kami kasi nakikita po namin talaga yung success na ibinibigay po ng SAAD. Ang layunin po ng SAAD sa bawat FCA sa MIMAROPA, kasama ang lahat ng rehiyon, ay makamit ang community-based enterprise,” said Engr. Florece.
(We are grateful because we truly see the success brought by SAAD. The goal of SAAD for every farmers’ and fisherfolk association in MIMAROPA, together with all regions, is to achieve community-based enterprises.)
Prior to the site visit, the team conducted a consultation with Santa Maria Mayor Lorilie M. Fabon, Municipal Councilor and Committee on Agriculture Chair Marlin M. Mariño, and Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Ramel Fabon. The discussion covered the results of the Social Preparation Roll-out conducted for Concepcion Norte Farmers and Fisherfolk Association on October 8, 2025.
The meeting focused on key observations, emerging issues, and planned actions to further improve the implementation of SAAD projects in the municipality. Local government officials reaffirmed their support for the program and their commitment to strengthening collaboration with SAAD implementers and beneficiary associations.
Also present during the activities were Engr. Analiza Escarilla, Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO), along with staff from the FPL, MAED, Admin, and Procurement units.
