MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) of Bukidnon, in coordination with the Regional Project Management Support Office (RPMSO) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Northern Mindanao (BFAR-10), conducted a simultaneous on-site monitoring activities with emphasis on Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) in the province of Bukidnon.
From April 7 to 11, the team headed by Bukidnon Provincial Fishery Officer Gekie S. Sy, visited the Sampagar Tilapia Growers Association in Damulog and the Dominorog Fisherfolk Association in Talakag, Bukidnon. The two groups are among the 14 local Farmersโ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) that are recipients of BFAR-10โs Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2.
According to Sy, the monitoring activity aimed to assess the current status and performance of FCAs, particularly their recordkeeping practices, and to review their financial statements from the past two years to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of the assistance provided.
During the visit, the PPMSO teamโalongside the RPMSOโs Information Technology (IT) and MAED Officerโ conducted an interview with the representatives of the association to establish a preliminary assessment of their current status before advancing with marketing activities.
To support this, the initiative utilized the MAEDโs Enterprise Profitability Assessment (EPA) tool to generate profitability projections for the associationsโ existing operations and to recommend necessary adjustments. This assessment serves as a strategic guide in identifying operational improvements and exploring potential market opportunities for their products.
In addition, the team discussed updates on the associations’ IT database profiling, which included the validation of records, enterprise activities, and production data to ensure accurate documentation and reporting. Part of the said activity was a lecture and presentation on the potential benefits of Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) to the associations.
The visit also opened discussions on potential infrastructure projects for fiscal year 2026. Preliminary consultations were conducted with the associations to identify their priority needs and determine appropriate interventions aligned with the objectives of the SAAD Program and BFARโs fisheries development initiatives.
The activity is part of the programโs continuous efforts to strengthen the capacity of FCAs and ensure that the interventions provided contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of community-based fisheries enterprises in the province.
The same undertaking will also be carried out with the remaining SAAD Phase 2 beneficiaries in Bukidnon during the second quarter of this year.
Writer: JMMurillo/RDME
Photo Credit: BFAR 10/PPMSO Bukidnon, Province
About DA-BFAR SAAD Phase 2:
The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-BFAR SAAD) Program Phase 2 aims to contribute to poverty reduction and improve the living conditions of vulnerable fisherfolk and their communities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and support for poor fishing sectors. These interventions intend to complement the DA banner programs and assist beneficiaries in establishing community-based fishery enterprises. The BFAR-SAAD strives to enhance food security and promote economic growth in targeted areas across the Philippines.
