TACLOBAN CITY (PNA) – In compliance with Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol’s marching order to cut poverty incidence in Samar Island in two years’ time to at least 25 percent, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) is now set in motion for the entire island of Samar.
Newly installed DA Assistant Secretary Lerey A. Panes spearheaded the series of orientation briefings held in the capital towns of the three Samar Provinces.
SAAD is a comprehensive program focusing on the country’s ten priority provinces. In its early phase, it will assess the strengths and weaknesses of an area and its potentials in food production.
SAAD program has been proven successful in North Cotabato, when Piñol was still the governor for nine years.
An initial budget of Php 20 million per province has been earmarked by the Duterte administration to bankroll the small livelihood projects that will be chosen and prioritized by the farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries themselves.