Farmers’ Associations (FAs) under the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in the Province of Dinagat Islands were granted with Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation by DA Caraga enhancing their access to the department’s agriculture and fishery programs, and ensuring their continuous growth and sustainability as FAs.
Pangie Farmers Association (PFA) and Justiniana Edera Livestock Growers Association (JELGA) of Dinagat, Dinagat Islands were granted with a Beneficiary-level CSO accreditation while Bayanihan Makugihong Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda Asosayson (BMMMA) in Libjo, Dinagat Islands was awarded with a Co-implementor level accreditation from the DA.
Recalling their journey as farmers before being supported by the Program in 2023, Cesar B. Montellana, chairman of BMMMA shared that, “Before the implementation of SAAD in our community, we constantly have to make ends meet as small-scale farmers producing root crops, corn, and rice. But we have always persevered through the hardships of having low income to fulfill the daily needs of our family,” explaining that hard work, coupled with right opportunities makes sustainable livelihood accessible to everyone.
Montellana also talked about one of the shared goals of the group — to fully commit to their farming and egg retailing business. He said that “We aspire to fully prioritize our project and earn from it, we want to focus all our efforts in its operations and gradually leave our sideline works behind.”
“We started compiling the requirements of the FAs for CSO accreditation in November 2024 so we can submit all pertinent documents at the regional level. Last May 2025, an ocular visitation was initiated by the validators and thankfully, last August 2025, two of our FAs were granted with Beneficiary level CSO accreditation, while one FA was granted with a co-implementor level accreditation,” said PDI area coordinator, Ariel B. Obillos.
“We push for their accreditation because we really see the potential of these FAs in sustaining the project and making a productive income source from it in the coming years,” he added.
FA updates
Since 2023, PFA, JELGA, and BMMMA have been productive and have engaged in the egg retailing business. As of their latest records from July 2023 to October 2025, PFA have sold a total of 156,864 egg pieces and a gross sales of Php 1,233,757; JELGA have sold a total of 136,683 egg pieces and a gross sales of Php 1,048,333; and BMMMA have sold a total of 194,956 egg pieces and a gross sales of Php 1,475,600.
SAAD Caraga will continue to provide guidance and assistance to its FAs through its Assistant Provincial Coordinators (APCs) and Area Coordinators (ACs) especially in the process of CSO accreditation to ensure the sustainability of their projects and enterprises.
