Recognizing the important role of local leaders in implementing projects on the ground, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Team met with the newly elected Local Chief Executive (LCE) of Buruanga, Aklan, Hon. Allan P. Dagohoy, last July 10, 2025.
The meeting served as an orientation on the various livelihood projects being implemented in the municipality.
The SAAD Western Visayas team was composed of Regional Operations, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation (OPBME) Lead Ms. Sheryl Mae Gaylan, OPBME Staff Ms. Reah S. Garduce, and IT and Database Development Staff Mr. Denmark Prayco together with Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Aklan Ms. Ilyn Belinario.
The highlight of said discussion was the guidelines, background, and coverage of the program, of which, the LCE was oriented on how Buruanga was selected as a priority area. They likewise tackled the current status of the livelihood projects provided to four farmers associations in the barangays of Tigum, Tag-osip, Balusbos, and Bagongbayan.
Ms. Gaylan, being one of the project leaders, acknowledged the importance of the meeting held with the said municipality, “Ang ini nga activity isa ka pamaagi sang aton nga programa nga maka-connect kag makahinun-anon sa aton bag-o nga Mayor nahanungod sa programa nga aton napatigayon sa iya banwa. By giving him information about our ongoing projects, its status and the challenges encountered, mapromote naton ang transparency, making him aware of sang mga gakalatabo sa aton programa. Most importantly, ma-make sure guid naton ang suporta sang bag-o nga Mayor para masiguro ang tayuyon nga implementasyon kag posible nga collaboration para mapasanyog pa guid ang implementasyon sang aton programa.”
(This activity is one of the many strategies of the program to connect and have a dialogue with the newly-elected Mayor regarding the scope of the program and the current implementation in his area. By giving him information about our ongoing projects, its status and the challenges encountered, we promote transparency and develop his awareness on what is and how the program works. Most importantly, we can secure his commitment in ensuring a smooth implementation and possible collaboration to further improve our program implementation.)
Said engagement was aimed at fostering stronger collaboration and support from the local government in the smooth implementation of the ongoing projects and to strengthen coordination efforts from both agencies to pave the way for a more efficient project execution.
Following this, the team conducted a monitoring among the beneficiaries in the said municipality and the adjacent area of Tangalan to assess the current status of livelihood projects.
Since the native chicken stocks were delivered recently, the SAAD team found it necessary to visit the production areas and verify the condition of the stocks. This is to provide recommendations on enhancing biosecurity measures and mitigate the chances of mortality should the poultry stocks be affected.
The team also visited the other areas for mushroom, pineapple, banana, and vegetable production to check the overall progress and compliance of the groups in terms of project guidelines.
During the whole duration of the monitoring activity, the team was assisted by staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Buruanga, Ms. Junelyn M. Prado and Mr. Mateo M. Prado, who also joined the visit to the production areas and poultry housing.
