The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in MIMAROPA showed full support for ongoing discussions to assist farming and fishing communities in Pag-asa Island in Municipality of Kalayaan during the Waves of Change: Innovative Practice for West Philippine Sea Fisherfolk meeting held May 29 to 30, 2025, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The event was organized by the Department of Agriculture National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (DA NTF-WPS) and brought together agencies involved in the Pag-asa Island Agri-Fisheries Integrated Development Initiative. It aims to strengthen inter-agency coordination to support the island’s agricultural communities. Among those present were DA-MIMAROPA Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PMED) Chief Dr. Nex D. Basi, Planning Officer III Atty. Adele Garcia, and SAAD MIMAROPA Regional Lead Marissa D. Vargas.
Vargas shared updates on the ongoing SAAD Phase 2 projects in Palawan, particularly in the municipalities of Agutaya, Magsaysay, and Balabac – a municipality located near the West Philippine Sea. She highlighted success stories from associations managing the ready-to-lay chicken (egg) production and vegetable production projects, emphasizing how these initiatives provide livelihood opportunities and help improve the supply of fresh eggs and vegetables.
Although the municipality of Kalayaan is not yet covered under DA-SAAD, Regional Lead Vargas affirmed the program’s commitment to participate in efforts to support the Pag-asa Island residents. She added that DA-SAAD MIMAROPA plans to conduct a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in the area to help identify the community’s specific needs to ensure that future interventions will be well-suited to those needs.
Also present was Elaine Keith G. Familaran, Public Relations and Development Communication (PRDC) Officer of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – SAAD MIMAROPA. She presented updates of BFAR – SAAD interventions in Palawan, particularly in Balabac.
Both Vargas and Familaran emphasized SAAD’s mission to contribute to poverty reduction and help uplift marginalized communities through targeted support and livelihood development.
Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary James A. Layug emphasized the long-term purpose behind the initiative and expressed gratitude to the participants for their commitment.
“We are doing this not for us, but for our future generation – our most precious resource, our children – for the next generation of Filipinos. On behalf of our Secretary Kiko Tiu Laurel, thank you very much, and we’re looking forward dito sa collaboration, sa partnership and sa ating bayanihan para sa Kalayaan Municipality, para sa Pag-asa Island, para sa West Philippine Sea,” the official said.
Pag-asa Island is a home to a small but resilient community of farmers and fisherfolk. Located in the remote and contested waters of the West Philippines Sea, the island has limited access to livelihood support and basic services. Ongoing efforts aim to address the needs of the community while supporting rural development and reinforcing national security.
