BICOL, August 7, 2023 – Going halfway through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program in Bicol Region recorded outstanding numbers in their physical and financial performance during the previously concluded National Midyear Assessment in Baguio City on July 31-August 4, 2023.
Said assessment is a quarterly event spearheaded by the SAAD National Program Management Office (NPMO) and participated by the program’s 15 Regional Program Management Support Offices (RPMSOs) in the country. Each region’s physical and financial performances were evaluated as well as their current status in the program’s implementation in their respective regions.
SAAD Bicol’s first semester implementation
Six months into the year, SAAD Bicol was able to conduct 60 social preparation activities and 52 specialized production training for its farmer-beneficiaries, and distribute various agricultural interventions on rice, corn and cassava, high value crops and organic agriculture to 49 farmers’ association (FAs) from the program’s target municipalities for the Phase 2 implementation. Thich equates to a 100% Physical Accomplishment rate on SAAD Bicol’s target for the first semester.
On top of the region’s success on the physical aspect of the program, they also recorded exemplary numbers on the financial side. The program ranked 1st on the obligation and disbursement ranking among the regions, with an average score of 89.63% in financial obligation and 89.59% in disbursement of funds. Because of this, SAAD Bicol was recognized as the Top Performing Region with an overall score of 93.76% during the National Midyear Assessment.
Moreover, other program directives and schedule of events for both national and regional offices were discussed during the event. Following SAAD Bicol’s outstanding first half to FY 2023, the regional and program implementers look forward to continuing its pursuit of providing quality assistance and guidance to its farmers’ associations across the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. The delivery of interventions to the remaining 11 target farmer associations was targeted in the 3rd quarter of the year.
Writer: Juan Paulo A. Quizana, DA-SAAD Bicol Associate Project Officer
Source: Maribeth A. Mangalino, DA-SAAD Bicol Report Officer