IN PHOTOS| To equip the staff of the Department of Agriculture- Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) from regions 6, 7, and 8 with knowledge and skills necessary in project implementation, a Training of Trainers (TOT) on Community Organizing was held this week from April 1–5, 2024 at a venue in Cebu City.

Spearheaded by the SAAD National Program Management Office (NPMO), the training focuses on social preparation, community development, team building and teamwork, and networking and linkages which are the core components of community organizing.

Dr. Pedro Dumaraos, Jr., SAAD Program Deputy Director, said that as SAAD Officers, it is very important to understand the principles and concepts of SAAD Phase 2 including that of the Phase 1. In addition, he said, that one has to work beyond the tasks assigned, and find a sense of fulfillment in it.

DA7 Regional technical Director, Engr. Cirilo Namoc, in his message, during the TOT opening, shared that experiences and learnings from the SAAD Phase 1 implementation will serve as basis for improvement and implement better. He said one has to be equipped by heart and mind.

Speaking to the 40 TOT participants today (April 5, 2024) as the last day of the training, DA7 Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez, emphasized the importance of the social preparation to the farmer beneficiaries.

She said, that province or provinces with highest number of poverty incidence is a big challenge to us. We need to change the farmers’ lives through the SAAD Program because the success of our projects depends on the way we nurture these people.

Among the topics discussed include Social Preparation and its Components, Steps in Community Organizing, Filipino Indigenous Methods, and The Many Hats of Community Organizer, among others.