The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Region 9 and the National Program Management Office (NPMO) conducted joint field profiling and data validation activities across SAAD-covered areas from April 13 to 17, 2026.
The activity led by Saturnino R. Palahang Jr., Executive Assistant of the Director, together with Jovy S. Cabillo of the Operational Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (OPBME) Unit, collected and validated beneficiary data likewise assessed project implementation on the ground.
They were joined by the DA-SAAD Region 9 team, headed by Engr. Nadzmar Abdulatip, Regional OPBME Unit lead, along with key sub-unit heads and community development officers who provided field support and coordination throughout the activity.
On the first leg of the field visit, the team traveled to Zamboanga Sibugay, where they conducted profiling and validation among farmer associations benefiting from the Layer Chicken Egg Production Project. In Barangay Bolingan, Talusan, and Barangay Villagonzalo, Olutanga, the team observed that the project is already generating additional income for members. After replenishing their first batch of ready-to-lay chickens, beneficiaries have begun receiving shares from the enterprise.
For Ms. Jolisa Braquil, a member and caretaker of the Villagonzalo Makugihon Farmers Association in Olutanga, the project has brought real change to her household.
“Sa akong share gikan sa proyekto, nakapalit ko og washing machine. Dako gyud kaayo ni nga tabang sa akong adlaw-adlaw nga trabaho, labi na sa paglaba. Karon nga naa koy regular nga kita kada bulan, nakadesisyon pud ko nga mag-down og motor,” she shared.
(Through my share from the project, I was able to buy a washing machine, which greatly helps with my daily chores, especially in doing the laundry. Now that I have a steady monthly income, I also decided to put a down payment on a motorcycle.)
The motorcycle now serves multiple purposes for her family—it is used to deliver eggs to regular buyers, bring children to school, and travel to the barangay center without spending on fare. Her story reflects how the project goes beyond livelihood, easing daily burdens and improving mobility for rural families.
On the second day, the team proceeded to San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, where they visited the Makugihon Organic Farming Association in Barangay Kalilangan and the Kapamanok Rootcrops Farmers Association in Barangay Kapamanok. On the third day, the team visited Sitio Duray in Sominot, where members of the Rural Improvement Club also shared their living conditions and farming experiences.
Across these communities, farmers openly discussed not only their income gains but also the realities they face in farming. While support from the SAAD Program has helped improve production, challenges remain. Many farmers depend on rain-fed systems, limiting them to fewer cropping cycles each year. Others face poor soil conditions and rising fertilizer costs, which sometimes require them to spend beyond the assistance provided.
Despite these challenges, the validation activity highlighted a clear outcome: SAAD interventions are making a tangible difference. Farmers are earning, investing, and gradually improving their quality of life. At the same time, their feedback provides valuable insights for the program to refine its support and respond more effectively to on-the-ground conditions.
More importantly, the activity serves as a key reference in improving how field data is gathered. It helps identify more practical and strategic approaches to collecting information directly from beneficiaries while strengthening the overall data collection process.
The information generated will not only enhance analysis and reporting but will also support more responsive and evidence-based planning for future program implementation. ###
