The House Committee on Rural Development has formed a technical working group (TWG) that would fine-tune a measure seeking to extend the Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program for six years starting from 2023.
In a virtual hearing Monday, the House panel tasked Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento to lead the TWG on the proposed extension of the SAAD from 2023 to 2028 after the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recommended that program assessment be conducted to determine the gaps aimed at improving its implementation.
Ang Probinsyano partylist Rep. Alfred delos Santos, vice chairperson of the panel who led the initial deliberations on House Resolution No. 1421, said the proposal of Masbate 2nd District Rep. Elisa “Olga” Kho seeks to address the poverty incidence in the countryside.
“The extension would also go with the government’s efforts to address the aftermath of the three strong typhoons—Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses,” he said.
Masbate 2nd District Rep. Elisa “Olga” Kho, chairperson of the House Committee on Rural Development, welcomed the formation of the TWG.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) rallied behind Kho’s measure, recognizing that it would benefit farmers and fisherfolk who are among those who have the highest poverty incidences in rural areas.
“The extension will assist those living in rural areas and those who rely on the agricultural sector. There is a need to reach out to them, especially as the country continues to face the impacts of the pandemic,” according to PSA Poverty and Human Development Statistics Division Chief Bernadette Balamban.
In a letter to the House panel dated January 15, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista said they rallied behind Kho’s proposal.
He said they believe that the extension of the implementation of the SAAD beyond 2022 "will further help the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors who are greatly affected by the pandemic."
Under HR No. 1421, Kho urged the House leadership to extend the implementation of the DA’s SAAD program for six years from 2023 to 2028.
She noted that SAAD program was created in 2016 and implemented in 2017 up to 2022 to contribute in the poverty reduction and inclusive growth through the provisions of quality and timely agricultural interventions on animals, crops, fisheries to identified beneficiaries.
“With the increasing poverty incidence in the poorest of the poor provinces impacted by the pandemic, the SAAD Program faces the serious challenge to intensify the implementation of its project services with its limited budget and resources, and inadequate manpower complement especially in the field operations,” Kho said.
According to the House leader, the SAAD must be provided sufficient period of time and commensurate budget to address such serious challenge.
“Extending the program of the SAAD for an additional period of six years beyond 2022 from 2023 to 2028 will potentially assist other poorest provinces or municipalities to gradually take off from the said category, address poverty reduction and inclusive growth as embodies in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017- 2022 adoption of AmBisyon Nation 2040, and fulfill the Philippine government’s international commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” Kho said.
Under the resolution, Kho urged the House leadership to increase the funds to be appropriated to the DA’s SAAD for an additional six year after the commencement of its program in 2022.
“This shall include the creation of coterminous plantilla positions wherein qualified current Contract of Service (COS) staff in the SAAD Central and Regional Offices shall be prioritized to be hired,” she said.
She said hiring of coterminous manpower who are already experienced and trained in SAAD implementation is needed to help ensure continuity in work and expertise.
"Also, the program shall be allowed to procure motor vehicles to be used for monitoring and evaluation of livelihood project implementation,” Kho added.