SAAD Continues its Quest to Alleviate Poverty in Apayao
The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) remains active in implementing proposed projects meant to alleviate poverty in the program’s coverage areas in Apayao.
A workshop-consultation and a meeting with SAAD Program Director Bernadette F. San Juan was held last January 31-February 1, 2018 in Luna, Apayao to monitor and and strengthen the implementation of the program and thus ensure its success in the province.
SAAD is a six-year locally funded project under the Department of Agriculture (DA) that focuses development interventions on the most marginalized agricultural and fishery sectors in the country.
It also aims to increase food production and reduce poverty in the country. Implementation of the program started in 2017 with Apayao as the first Cordillera province covered.
An update on the status of the SAAD’s implementation in Apayao, for FY 2016, was presented and discussed during the meeting. Among the concerns raised were the tedious procurement process and the low percentage of reported physical and financial accomplishment. Director San Juan advised the body to think of another design and strategy that can help resolve the problems encountered.
“We will frequently meet and assess what are the doable interventions for us to attain the purpose and objectives of the program and to assure that there will be an impact to the beneficiaries and to the community in the future,” Provincial Agriculturist (PA) Prudencio Bosing responded.
In the workshop planning for FY 2019, all the municipalities were covered but will focus on
priority barangays. These barangays are Namaltugan, Ninoy Aquino and Tubungan in Calanasan; Manag, Ripang, Cupiz, Guinaang and Mawigue in Conner; Bagutong, Mallig, San Jose and Upper Atok in Flora; Bulo, Dibagat, Madatag, Madduang and Musimot in Kabugao; San Gregorio, San Jose, Lappa, Bacsay and Turod in Luna; Lydia, San Jose and Doña Loreta in Pudtol; and Sipa and Imelda in Sta. Marcela.
Interventions proposed for all the target beneficiaries are the provision of carabao as draft animals and fruit trees specifically mangosteen, durian and sweet tamarind.
According to PA Bosing, the beneficiaries proposed large animal like carabaos because these are not prone to diseases and has an added value of helping the farmers in the fields. Agroforestry was also proposed due to its commercial and industrial value.
“The life span of durian and mangosteen tree is more or less 50 years. So once it bears fruit, it will give a long term benefit to the farmer,” Bosing explained.
Director San Juan requested the Provincial Program Management Office (PPMO) to fully cooperate in pursuing the program’s interventions in behalf of its farmer-beneficiaries. “This is a fruitful meeting and I hope this will continue. Let us try to be open with each other, tell us what you need and we will listen and we will try to find solutions to those problems,” Director San Juan said.//
