The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) Sub-unit conducted a weeklong pilot testing and field validation of FPL templates in Romblon from July 8 to 11.
Conducted among five (5) farmers’ associations across the province, the activity validated and refined the proposed FPL templates through simulation and field observation. These templates are designed to standardize project documentation and enhance monitoring and evaluation efforts under SAAD Program Phase 2.
The pilot testing involved Hinag-Oman Lowland and Upland Integrated Farmers Association in Ferrol, and the Suong Farmers Association, Camili Vegetable Growers Association, Alcantara Livestock and Poultry Producers and Marketing Association, and San Isidro Livestock and Poultry Producers Association, in Alcantara.
Engr. Jonalyn Racelis, NPMO FPL Sub-unit Lead, together with Faith D. Paulmanal, NPMO Focal for MIMAROPA, and NPMO FPL staff Ricky L. Motita and Ronalen J. Gonzales, both conducted focus group discussions (FGDs), observed ongoing livelihood activities, and assessed the use of current interventions. The team sought feedback from farmers to tailor the templates to real-life operation challenges and conditions.
Among the projects validated were cattle, corn, peanut, vegetable, broiler chicken, and free-range chicken production. FGDs surfaced issues in production and management, which will be used to improve implementation guidelines moving forward.
The activity concluded with the presentation of the proposed FPL implementation templates. These templates include structured monitoring tools to track the progress of the Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), along with a timeline of actions from stakeholders such as Area Coordinators (ACs), Local Government Units (LGUS), and the department’s regional and provincial offices.
They are designed to improve the monitoring and evaluation processes of both Community Development Officers (CODs) and FPL personnel, documenting not only the status and outcomes of ongoing livelihood and production activities but also the issues and challenges encountered along the way.SAAD MIMAROPA staff, including FPL Sub-unit Lead Engr. Maiden Marie M. Segui and Associate Project Officer I Jhonzell G. Panganiban, assisted in the rollout. Engr. Analiza A. Escarilla, OIC – Agricultural Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Romblon and Municipal Agriculturists Alex John R. Galicia (Alcantara) and Engr. Realyn L. Castillo (Ferrol) also supported the event.
The results of the pilot testing will be used by the NPMO to finalize the templates and the overall FPL guidelines, which will ultimately be rolled out in other SAAD-covered regions.
