The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) MIMAROPA reported a 99% obligation of its Budget Execution Document (BED) 1 target, amounting to Php 49,798,367.45 or 62% of its Php 80,375,000 budget for the year, and achieved 100% of its physical targets for the first half of 2025.
The accomplishments were presented by Regional Lead Marissa D. Vargas during the FY 2025 2nd Quarter Regional Assessment and Coordination Meeting held from July 15 to 19 in Tagaytay City. She also shared the full rollout of social preparation, specialized training, and Marketing and Enterprise Development (MAED) activities, while initiated livelihood projects exceeded targets with 119%.
The assessment covered progress updates on the implementation of SAAD Phase 2 projects in 12 municipalities across Romblon, Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro.
SAAD National Program Management Office (NPMO) Director Ulysses J. Lustria, Jr. and Deputy Director Elmer R. Esplana graced the event together with DA-MIMAROPA Regional Technical Director for Operations Vener L. Dilig, OIC – Field Operations Division Chief Renie B. Madriaga, and Chief of Staff Atty. Adele Garcia.
In his message, Dir. Lustria recognized the collaborative efforts of implementers, local government units (LGUs), and beneficiary associations. He highlighted the program’s recent recognition at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025, where SAAD received the Philippines Social Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year – Agriculture award.
“May ambag kayo diyan. Naka-imprint ang ambag ninyo diyan – whether you are a SAAD staff, a DA staff na nalipat sa SAAD, or one of our LGU partners – kasama kayo diyan. At syempre, ang ating mga FCAs, sila ang may pinakamalaking ambag diyan, ‘yong ating mga partner beneficiaries, kaya tayo nagkakaroon ng ganyang award. Malaki ang ambag ng lahat,” said Dir. Lustria.
(You have a contribution there. Your contribution is imprinted there – whether you are a SAAD staff, a DA staff who was transferred to SAAD, or one of our LGU partners – you are part of that. And of course, our FCAs, they have the biggest contribution there, our partner beneficiaries, that’s why we are receiving this kind of award. Everyone has made a big contribution.)
Representatives from the Regional Program Advisory Committee (RPAC) and LGUs also shared their experiences and recommendations. Among them were Occidental Mindoro Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alrizza C. Zubiri, Romblon Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Relly Diokno, Market Specialist III Mitchi Famaran from the Romblon Provincial Veterinary Office, Agutaya Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Noreen Caballero, and agricultural technicians from Romblon and Occidental Mindoro. They also expressed their appreciation for the program and shared how it has supported the development of their agricultural sector.
“Dahil sa SAAD kahit papaano yong mga farmers at yong community ay willing na po silang mag-organize ng associations dahil sa apat [na associations] na nauna – iyon po ang naging modelo nila at nanumbalik ang tiwala nila sa government na may pag-asa pala kapag association,” said Agutaya Municipal Agriculturist Caballero.
(Because of SAAD, somehow the farmers and the community [in Agutaya] are now willing to organize associations because of the first four [associations] that came first – they became their model, and their trust in the government was restored, realizing that there is hope when there is an association.)
Meanwhile, RTD Dilig, speaking on behalf of Regional Executive Director Atty. Christopher R. Bañas, expressed gratitude to the SAAD Central Office for their guidance and commended the support of the LGUs. He also acknowledged the program’s tangible contributions to uplifting rural livelihoods in MIMAROPA.
