‘From having nothing to helping others’ — BFAR RD Fermin on Cordillera fisherfolk’s progress during first Regional SAAD Summit

Tabuk City, Kalinga — From having almost nothing to now becoming contributors to their own communities, the livelihood of fisherfolk groups in the Cordillera region has significantly progressed over the years through the support of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, BFAR-CAR Regional Director Lois June Fermin underscored during the first-ever SAAD Regional Summit held from November 20–21 at the MHotel in Appas, Tabuk City.

Fermin highlighted the positive impacts of the SAAD Program on its beneficiaries and their communities, adding that having the right mindset and giving value to government assistance greatly contribute to the success of interventions meant to uplift marginalized sectors.

The summit gathered fisherfolk groups from the Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mt. Province clusters and aimed to strengthen the skills and livelihood of SAAD beneficiaries.

Participants also shared insights on the progress of their community-based enterprises before Regional Director Fermin, Kalinga Provincial Fishery Officer Joyce Ducyugen, and SAAD Program Coordinator Michelle Peralta.

Speaking to GURU Press Cordillera, Fermin said she did not expect the program implementation in the region to yield such “strong” results, stressing that the success of the beneficiaries is rooted in the program’s social preparation phase.

The regional director emphasized that the real strength of the program lies not only in the livelihood projects provided but in how fisherfolk were prepared and assessed by the agency’s staff before receiving what she described as only “minimal” yet essential support.

“Haan ko in-expect nga kastoy ti resulta na. I am very, very happy kasi bassit lang met ti assistance ti office (BFAR-CAR), ket nakita mi nga nag-progress da iman. Ti nakitak nga factor (of their progress) ket diay social preparation before you give them the project. Ket isu met iman ti inaramid dagitoy kakadwa. I-prepare da isuda bago da nga maekkan ti projects. Assessments nga talaga… Inaramid da didyay bago nga naited diay ammo da nga kailangan nga talaga ti community da,” Fermin explained.

According to her, many Cordillera fisherfolk groups selected for SAAD Phase 2 — which will support them until 2028 — started their enterprises with almost nothing; some lacked equipment or sufficient resources.

Despite this, she said their livelihoods have significantly improved and continue to grow through the program.

“We sustain them, the recipients, for bigger projects and bigger programs within the DA or even other offices. Mayat ngay daytoy — they started with nothing. As I said, nag-progress da iman. Nakita natin yong reports nila. Now they are marketing even outside their provinces and the region. Nakakatulong na rin sila sa kanilang communities,” she added.

Implemented by BFAR under the Department of Agriculture (DA), the SAAD Program aims to alleviate poverty and increase food production by assisting marginalized farmers and fisherfolk across the country.

According to SAAD Program Coordinator Michelle Peralta, there are a total of 1,160 members of 51 fisherfolk groups in Cordillera who are currently benefiting from the program.