By Rollin Dave M. Elloren

Cagayan de Oro City – In line with its commitment to enhance program implementation in the region, field implementers of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, underwent a five-day activity titled “Recalibration: Protocol for Area Coordinators and Provincial Fisheries Officers” held from June 16 to 20, 2025, at Chali Resort and Conference Center, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

Around 15 participants from the five provinces of Northern Mindanao convened to re-evaluate and strengthen their understanding of the program’s guidelines, particularly those relevant to their roles as Area Coordinators (ACs) and Provincial Fisheries Officers (PFOs), who serve as the primary implementers on the ground.

According to BFAR Central Office-SAAD Alternate Focal Person Arnel R. Valenzuela, the activity aimed to ensure that everyone involved in the program can effectively fulfill their roles in harmony with one another.

“As the program progresses and evolves, it is essential that every individual involved has a thorough grasp of the guidelines, which now incorporate important modifications. This activity, therefore, serves as a pivotal step in addressing the evolving dynamics of the program,” he said.

During the activity, participants were capacitated with updated knowledge on SAAD Program Phase 2’s Implementing Guidelines, Social Preparation, Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED), IT Development and Database (ITDD), and Public Relations and Development Communications (PRDC) protocols.

They also engaged in scenario-based practical exercises that allowed them to analyze field challenges and propose solutions aligned with the program’s core values of inclusivity, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Now in its third year and scheduled to run until 2028, SAAD Phase 2 has undergone several strategic refinements aimed at improving its effectiveness and long-term impact on marginalized fisherfolk communities.

These updates reflect the program’s adaptive and responsive approach to real-world implementation challenges and emphasize the importance of a cohesive, unified application of program strategies across all provinces.

As a final point, the undertaking is perceived a vital step in securing the success of SAAD Program Phase 2, ensuring it remains responsive, impactful, and community-focused—with its implementers equipped to uphold its mission of uplifting beneficiaries above the poverty line by expanding economic opportunities, enhancing agricultural and fisheries productivity, and transforming efforts into successful community-based enterprises (CBEs).