The Department of Agriculture–Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program conducted its 15th Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) component rollout in CALABARZON from August 11 to 14, 2026, bringing together national and regional implementers and farmer-fisherfolk groups to strengthen project monitoring, recordkeeping, and data-based decision-making.
The activity began with an entry conference on August 11 to consolidate information on the two farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations (FCAs) covered by the rollout: the Tindig ng mga Nagkakaisang Mangingisda ng Poblacion 5 in Quezon, Quezon, which is engaged in swine production, and the Villa Esperanza Farmers Association (VEFA) in Alabat, Quezon, which focuses on vegetable production.
SAAD area coordinators in Quezon presented the profiles of the two associations, including their current operations, interventions received, production status, training activities, and financial assets and liabilities. The information provided implementers with baseline data for assessing the progress and viability of their SAAD-supported livelihood projects.
Representatives of the SAAD National Program Management Support Office (NPMO), namely Meljun A. Florece, Marie Abigail G. Dela Cruz, Jocery P. General, and Ricky L. Motita, also oriented the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) on the approved FPL guidelines.
The orientation discussed the FPL process, beginning with project formulation based on the assessed needs of beneficiary groups, followed by specialized training, delivery of appropriate agricultural interventions, and the monitoring and evaluation of implemented projects.
Particular emphasis was placed on the monitoring tools to be used by area coordinators in documenting project performance. These include the livelihood viability assessment, project adjustment letter, crop, livestock and poultry production forms, post-harvest and processing data sheets, service provider forms, and monthly FCA monitoring forms. Accomplished monitoring documents will subsequently be consolidated and submitted to the RPMSO and NPMO.
“Ang mga datos na kukuhanin natin sa field ay magiging kapaki-pakinabang bilang ito ang magiging basehan natin kung mayroon bang tulong ang mga livelihood intervention na ibinibigay natin sa mga magsasaka,” Motita said during the discussion of the FPL guidelines.
[The data we gather from the field will be useful because these will serve as the basis for determining whether the livelihood interventions we provide are benefiting the farmers.]
On August 12, the NPMO and RPMSO teams, joined by Regional Focal Manuel M. Dimalaluan and Alternate Focal Girsky V. Anda, proceeded to Alabat Island for field validation and monitoring activities.
The group first paid a courtesy call on Quezon Municipal Mayor Juan F. Escolano and Municipal Agriculturist Mary Rose O. Panol to strengthen coordination between the program and the local government unit in implementing and sustaining livelihood interventions.
The team then conducted a focus group discussion (FGD) with members of Tindig using the livestock production and service rental monitoring templates for their swine project.
The discussion assessed the association’s management and operation of the seven gilts and one boar awarded under the program, along with the veterinary medicines and hog feeds provided in 2025.
Six area coordinators also conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) using the crop production monitoring form. Selected farmer-beneficiaries who received vegetable production inputs were interviewed to document their production, harvest, and income from crop sales.
During a visit to Tindig’s swine project in Poblacion 5, association president Joel Jimenez explained their feeding and animal health management practices for piglets, sows, and boars.
Jimenez also discussed the group’s breeding, farrowing, and weaning practices, including its strategy of selling piglets as an additional source of income. The farmers likewise demonstrated the collection of boar semen used for artificial insemination.
On August 13, the team conducted another monitoring activity with VEFA. The assigned area coordinator facilitated an FGD using the monthly monitoring template to assess the status and performance of the association’s livelihood project.
Information gathered covered the project’s current status, relevant production records, incidence of pests and diseases, and measures undertaken by the association to minimize production losses and address operational concerns.
The four-day activity concluded with an exit conference, during which the area coordinators processed and presented the data gathered from the associations.
NPMO personnel, together with Dimalaluan and Anda, provided recommendations to improve the accuracy, consistency, and conciseness of the information captured through the monitoring tools. The participants also discussed initial findings, agreed on ways forward, and identified measures to strengthen enterprise operations and recordkeeping among the beneficiary associations.
“Marami tayong gagawing harmonization at enhancement upang matugunan ang ating mga pangangailangan gamit ang mga Annexes sa guidelines. We will work towards development, and as we go along with our monitoring activities, mas maganda na sama-sama nating makita ang mga ito upang sama-sama rin nating matugunan ang mga isyung nakikita natin sa field,” Dimalaluan said.
[We will undertake harmonization and enhancement of the annexes in the guidelines to better respond to our needs. As we continue our monitoring activities, it is important that we collectively identify what is happening in the field so that we can also work together in addressing the issues we encounter.]
Implementers likewise shared observations and recommendations on the existing monitoring forms, with the aim of making data gathering more comprehensive while ensuring that the process remains practical and manageable for farmer and fisherfolk associations.
Following the activity in Alabat Island, the FPL monitoring rollout will be replicated among the remaining 35 SAAD-assisted associations across CALABARZON.
Through the strengthened use of standardized monitoring tools and field-based data, the program aims to better assess the performance of livelihood projects, identify implementation gaps, and guide interventions that respond to the actual needs and conditions of SAAD-assisted communities. ###
