QUEZON CITY, April 28, 2025— Now on its third year, the BFAR-Special Area for Agricultural Development Program Phase 2 continues its mission to help uplift marginalized fisherfolk through sustainable livelihood development. Last April 14-15, 2025, the Program Conducted its FY 2025 1st Quarter Physical and Financial Assessment to present regional accomplishment for the first part of the year. Out of 41 1st Quarter targets, 44 food production and livelihood (FPL) packages have been distributed; with a target of 21. 31 market related trainings have already been conducted. For this year, the goal is to distribute a total of 542 FPL packages, and 307 of these trainings. Along with interventions, 10 specialized trainings across the country have been conducted to make sure that beneficiaries are capacitated to sustain the livelihoods given to them, with 216 more to be conducted for this year. For the financial accomplishment: Php 206 million or 112 % of the 1st quarter target have been obligated: Php 30 million or 15% of this have been disbursed.

The BFAR SAAD Program emphasizes attention to detail in terms of submitting accomplishments. Nonetheless, regional offices have proven to be keen on achieving their targets along with sufficient documents with some even producing video presentations to highlight their achievements. The National office also sets its sight on conducting Market Related Activities Training for implementers, and recalibration activities for efficient implementation for Provincial Fisheries Offices (PFOs) and Area Coordinators (ACs).

As of this year, the program is catering 18,526 fisherfolk beneficiaries from 574 associations, all coming from the 5th and 6th class communities and the top third poorest areas. They are encouraged to venture in Community-Based Enterprise (CBE) of fishery products to their vicinity and adjacent municipalities. The BFAR-SAAD assures them that they are guided every step of the way until they become an independent self-sufficient entity.

For more information about the Program, visit our section in the DA-BFAR WEBSITE: https://saad.bfar.da.gov.ph