As part of the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program CALABARZON, six (6) farmers’ associations from the island municipalities of Jomalig and Patnanungan, Quezon received intervention support under the FY 2026 Food Production and Livelihood (FPL) component of the program.
Last May 29, 2026, DA-SAAD CALABARZON distributed Php 2.3 million worth of agricultural and livestock inputs through two separate awarding ceremonies in Quezon Province, benefiting farmers and livestock raisers from geographically isolated communities and helping strengthen their food production and livelihood activities.
In Brgy. Talisoy, Jomalig, Quezon, representatives from the Samahan ng Magbabaka ng Casuguran (SAMACA), Bukal Kapanalig Farmers Association (BUKAFA), and Talisoy United Livestock and Poultry Raisers Association (TULPRA) gathered to receive various agricultural support inputs. The assistance included five heads of cattle, three swine gilts, hog and cattle feeds, zoological supplies, fertilizers, and vegetable seeds.
These interventions aim to enhance the livestock and crop production activities of beneficiaries. The total value of the assistance delivered in Jomalig amounted to Php 1,431,240.00, part of the municipality’s Php 2,038,715.00 allocation for 2026.
Meanwhile, in Patnanungan, Quezon, three organizations also received assistance during a separate awarding ceremony. The beneficiaries were the Barangay Busdak Hog Growers Association (BUHGA), Samahan ng Kababaihan ng Amaga (SAMAKA), and Barangay Luod Hog Growers Association (BLHGA).
The initial assistance, worth Php 876,420.00, provided the groups with swine gilts, chicken and hog feeds, crates, egg trays, zoological supplies, fertilizers, and vegetable seeds to further support their livelihood and agricultural productivity. The remaining Php 1,061,294.00 worth of interventions for the municipality is set to be delivered in succeeding distribution activities.
These interventions reflect the program’s continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of local farmers and livestock raisers by providing essential agricultural inputs, ultimately contributing to improved food production and more sustainable rural livelihoods in the province.
Farmer beneficiaries expressed gratitude towards the continuous support and technical guidance provided by the SAAD Program.
“Dahil po sa Swine Livelihood Project na ipinagkaloob sa amin tulad ng mga inahining baboy, mga supply ng bahog, vitamins, mga pananim at mga training, naging malaking tulong po ang mga ito para magkaroon ng dagdag na kita ang aking mga ka-miyembro. Hangad namin na sana’y aming maparami ang mga ito upang lumago at makapag supply ang aming samahan ng mga baboy, hindi lang dito sa aming barangay kundi sa aming mga karatig-barangay, sa gayon ay lumaki ang kita ng aming samahan upang sa pagdating ng panahon ang aming samahan ay maging isang kooperatiba,” BLHGA President Lorna R. Dela Cruz shared.
[Because of the Swine Livelihood Project granted to us, including the breeder pigs, feed supplies, vitamins, planting materials, and training, these have greatly helped my fellow members gain additional income. We hope to increase and multiply these resources so our association can grow and eventually supply pigs not only within our barangay but also to neighboring barangays. In this way, our association’s income will continue to grow, and we hope that in time, our organization will become a cooperative.]
The awarding ceremony was also graced by Congressman Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga, representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Offices of Patnanungan and Jomalig, SAAD Focal Person Manuel M. Dimalaluan, personnel from DA-RFO IV-A, and farmer beneficiaries from the six farmers’ associations.
Mr. Dimalaluan emphasized that the intervention is part of the program’s broader commitment to empower farmers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. He noted that through the combined efforts of DA, local government units, and partners from the legislative sector, the program is able to deliver responsive assistance that addresses the actual needs of farmer-beneficiaries and helps improve their productivity and income.
Congressman Enverga, in turn, expressed support for the continuing implementation of livelihood interventions in the island communities, stressing the importance of strong collaboration between national government agencies and legislative partners in advancing rural development. He underscored that the distribution activities are concrete results of a shared commitment to uplift the lives of farmers and ensure that government services reach even the most remote communities.
Additional interventions are also set to be distributed to further strengthen the associations’ livelihood projects. These include two carabaos for the BUKAFA group, eight native pig gilts and one boar for TULPRA, and 240 heads of free-range chickens for SAMAKA to support egg production. Additional feed support and zoological supplies are likewise scheduled for distribution in the coming semester. ###
