To establish a uniform evaluation system and ensure the accuracy of field-level data, representatives from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) conducted the Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Cascading and Field Validation activity in Sitio Maupot, Barangay Pangao-an, Magpet, Cotabato Province, from June 8 to 12, 2026.
The activity was facilitated by NPMO representatives Engr. Meljun A. Florece, FPL Sub-Unit Lead; Jacquelyn Rebusit, Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Sub-Unit Lead; and Ricky Motita, Operational Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (OPBME) Officer and NPMO Focal Person for Region 12.
The opening program was attended by DA 12 Regional Executive Director John Pascual, SAAD Area Coordinators, and personnel from the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) and Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO). The activity equipped participants with updated FPL guidelines, standardized monitoring tools, and hands-on field validation experience.
The first day focused on strengthening the capacity of implementers in monitoring and evaluating livelihood projects beyond the provision of interventions. Discussions centered on the updated FPL framework, including the nine-stage FPL Process Flow covering project formulation, project packaging and approval, procurement, specialized training, provision of livelihood interventions, monitoring and evaluation, supplemental livelihood projects, and supplemental monitoring and evaluation.
According to Engr. Florece, the updated FPL templates and frameworks will serve as essential tools for measuring production performance, tracking resource utilization among beneficiary groups, and identifying operational challenges that may affect project implementation.
The NPMO team also discussed the various monitoring and evaluation tools supporting FPL implementation, including the Livelihood Viability Assessment (LVA), crop productivity monitoring forms, post-harvest monitoring tools, project shifting templates, livestock and poultry monitoring forms, and Area Coordinator reporting templates.
The standardized monitoring system is expected to strengthen data-driven decision-making and support the program’s transition toward the Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) phase, which aims to transform community food production initiatives into sustainable and market-oriented agribusiness enterprises.
On the second day, participants conducted field validation, pilot testing, and project assessment activities at the Rural Improvement Club of Magpet in Barangay Poblacion, Magpet, Cotabato Province. The team also visited the association’s project site to observe the implementation and management of its mallard duck production enterprise.
Following the field activities, participants underwent data processing and analysis sessions on the third day to ensure the proper interpretation of gathered information and develop recommendations to further improve FPL implementation. The activity concluded with a synthesis session, allowing participants to consolidate key learnings and insights from the field validation exercise.
The FPL activity strengthened the technical capacities of SAAD regional implementers and reinforced monitoring and evaluation systems across operating units. Through standardized tools and processes, the program continues to enhance the effectiveness of its interventions while advancing its goal of developing self-reliant farmer associations and sustainable community-based enterprises.
