SAN FERNANDO City, La Union (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Ilocos Region has been nationally recognized for its outstanding implementation of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program during the FY 2024 BFAR-SAAD National Year-end Assessment held on Dec. 10 in Clark, Pampanga.
BFAR Region 1 secured first place in both physical and financial accomplishments and earned second place in data management, showcasing excellence in beneficiary verification and fisherfolk profiling.
The DA-BFAR SAAD Program aims to uplift vulnerable fisherfolk communities by reducing poverty, improving living standards, and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. It supports the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) flagship initiatives through community-based fishery enterprises, contributing to food security and economic growth across targeted areas in the Philippines.
With the BFAR Ilocos’ achievement in implementing this program, the agency commits to strive in order to develop agricultural development in the region.
BFAR Ilocos Regional Director Segundina Gaerlan emphasized the importance of assessing the program’s impact on beneficiaries, highlighting that one of their primary goals in the SAAD program is to evaluate the current situation of beneficiaries and measure their progress.
“We must assess not only if their livelihoods have improved but also understand how their behaviors and perspectives have evolved. Our aim is to drive poverty alleviation efforts that lead to tangible changes in their lives,” Gaerlan said.
Gaerlan highlighted the need for a holistic approach that balances production, marketing strategies, and effective income management to ensure long-term sustainability.
She urged program coordinators to provide unwavering support to their clients, emphasizing the importance of personal commitment.
“Change begins with us. Our own perspectives and attitudes play a crucial role in inspiring and empowering others,” Gaerlan said.
With this recognition, BFAR Ilocos Region remains committed to advancing agricultural development, empowering fisherfolk, and setting higher standards for program implementation in the years ahead. (CCMT/REB, PIA Region 1)
