ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas assisted farmers and local government units (LGUs) representatives here in preparation of the Sagip Saka Capacity Development Plan.
Twenty-seven representatives from various farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and LGUs in Region 6 participated in the crafting of an enterprise capacity plan as one major component in the framework of the Republic Act 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act.
The act establishes the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program which is a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and holistic approach in promoting the establishment of enterprises involving agricultural and fishery products.
During the workshop, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the law’s principal author and sponsor was virtually present.
According to him, the challenge now is on how to support and bridge the farmers and their cooperatives to secure a portion of the potentially 41 billion worth of funding of government agencies for their feeding and relief programs.
Rhea Cristina Resol, Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) senior agriculturist, facilitated the presentation of Implementing Rules and Regulation of the RA 11321; registration to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture; membership to cooperatives and associations; and identification of existing tools, approaches, and innovations in developing agri-fishery products.
AMAD chief Maria Teresa Solis reminded the participants to take care of the assistance given by the national government agencies and local government units.
“You are deserving associations and cooperatives and the development of your communities are in your hands. Manage well the resources given by the government,” she said.(DA-6/PN)
