1st SAAD SAGA Forum held in Region IX

By JONG CADION

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PAGADIAN CITY (July 29, 2019) - Some 450 farmers from all over Zamboanga del Norte, with guests from regions 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, Sulu and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) attended the SAAD SAGA held recently at the Dipolog Convention Center, Estaka, Dipolog City.

SAAD focuses on providing livelihood projects and assisting in small scale income generating activities to communities in areas tagged as poorest provinces in the country; as per data based on the Philippine statistics in 2007. Only the province of Zamboanga del Norte in Region IX implements the program with a total budget 65,571,470 (2018).

The SAAD SAGA aims to recognize the exceptional performances of partner-beneficiaries in implementing their SAAD projects in their respective municipalities. It also aspires to promote products and services; as well as exchange knowledge in enterprise and marketing; and engage policy discussions.    

Nine (9) associations were awarded Best Emerging Enterprise namely Suisayan Indigenous People’s Association in Manukan, Iwag sa Mananagat Association in Roxas, Newland Women’s Association in Mutia, Matunoy Multi-Purpose Farmers’ Cooperative in Gutalac, Minlasag Farfish Association in Sibutad, Kauswagan Farmers Association in Baliguian, Gabu Farmers Association in Labason, Mauswagon Sibuying Farmers Association and La Libertad Agricultural Producers Association in la Libertad.  While The Bacong Farmers and Fishermen’s Association in Salug was named Best Managed Enterprise and the Macasing Consumers Cooperative in Siayan was awarded as the Fast Growing Enterprise.

Bernadette F. San Juan, SAAD Program National Coordinator gladly remarked what the SAAD SAGA meant. “SAGA means journey or success story. In bisaya SAAD means a promise; let’s change that and realize the promise. Lets realize projects and this way we can look at the SAAD SAGA as a venue to see the experiences of our partner-beneficiaries in their successful stories.”

DA Assistant Secretary for Planning, Project Development and Special Projects Lerey A. Panes also inspired the participants about not to wait for things to happen, but to make things happen in their capacity. “Always focus on value chain. Think of other innovations in your existing projects because there are many ways in doing things for other purpose. If your project is Layer Chicken Egg Production don’t settle in selling fresh eggs alone. You are an association so combine all your knowledge, you brainstorm and think big.” Panes said. 

The SAAD SAGA Partners’ Forum is the first to be held among the eight SAAD regions in the country. Alongside the forum, products exhibit from each SAAD area can be seen and sold such as Healthy Organic Mushroom, Fresh Eggs, White Corn Grits, Crispy Lechon, Fresh Banana Lakatan, Juicy Sweet Corn, Sweet and Sour Sibuying, Sulu Native Delicacies, and Lowland-grown rice and fresh vegetables. (With press release from MDLuzon, DA9)