The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) conducted its Fiscal Year 2025 Regional Mid-Year Assessment from July 8 to 10, 2025, in Sagada, Mountain Province.
The three-day activity served as a platform to review program accomplishments, address implementation challenges, and refine strategic directions for the remainder of the year.
The assessment was attended by SAAD key officials, including Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo, DA-RFO CAR Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations. Also present were Agricultural Program Coordinating Officers, members of the Technical Working Group, and staff from both the Regional and Provincial Program Management Support Offices (RPMSO and PPMSOs).
As of the first semester of FY 2025, the DA-SAAD CAR has obligated Php 46.69 million, representing 60% of its total annual allocation of Php 77.66 million. This figure reflects a 97% accomplishment against the semester’s obligation target of Php 48.14 million. Meanwhile, disbursement for the same period reached Php 8.85 million, or 48% of the Php 18.42 million disbursement target for the first half of the year. Disbursement rates are projected to improve in the coming months as procurement and project rollout activities gain momentum.
In her message, RTD Sagayo emphasized the importance of regular assessments in shaping the program’s trajectory: “This mid-year review is not just a checkpoint, but a compass that helps us navigate where the program is headed. It ensures we’re responding to challenges and making informed adjustments along the way.”
To address implementation gaps and sustain performance, the Provincial Program Management Support Offices (PPMSOs) presented their respective catch-up plans for the second semester. These were evaluated by the program supervisors and Technical Working Group (TWG) members, who offered recommendations to enhance the delivery of interventions and ensure more efficient fund utilization.
Beyond performance tracking, the activity also featured a presentation on Gender and Development (GAD), designed to strengthen the capacity of SAAD implementers to apply inclusive and gender-sensitive strategies in their work. A session on the preparation of Personal Rating Sheets (PRS) was also conducted to help staff further align their individual outputs with the program’s overall performance standards.
Ultimately, the FY 2025 Mid-Year Assessment reaffirmed the collaborative commitment of the regional and provincial teams to advance the program’s mission of uplifting marginalized farming communities in the Cordillera through sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. ###
