W. Visayas hosts assessment, workshop on Sagip Saka

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office, Regional Field Offices VI, VII, and VIII, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Government Procurement Policy Board, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, and Cooperative Development Authority gathered to attend the Visayas Cluster Orientation/Reorientation, Assessment, and Workshop for the Implementation of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program (FFEDP) under Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, held on April 7-11, 2025 in Malay, Aklan.

The main objective of the week-long activity was to orient/reorient and equip key officials and technical staff from the DA implementing units and offices with a comprehensive understanding of the implementation framework and process flow of the FFEDP at both national and regional levels. It aimed to identify, assess, and streamline existing programs and projects related to agriculture and fishery enterprise development, address key issues and concerns in the implementation of the program, recommend strategies and action plans to resolve challenges, clarify the roles and responsibilities of each concerned implementing unit, harmonize ongoing and future programs to ensure alignment with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA No. 11321, and discuss and develop policies and plans for Sagip Saka.

During his welcoming message, DA-Western Visayas (WV) Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia emphasized that while Sagip Saka is a law with admirable features, it has unfortunately not yet been fully institutionalized. “We need to seriously invest our efforts and commitment tungkol dito. May mga paraan kung paano ito gawin, and we hope na sa tulong ng workshop at mga pag-aaral ay mararating natin yung kayang gawin sa level ng region, bureaus, and agencies within the family of DA,” he stated, as he lauded Assistant Secretary for High-Value Crops, Assistant Secretary for Sagip Saka and Intellectual Property Atty. Joycel R. Panlilio for her guidance during the activity.

Arpia also praised the leadership of DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., for prioritizing the Sagip Saka Act, emphasizing that the agency must demonstrate its importance to farmers. “It’s about time na ipakita natin, iparamdam natin sa ating mga magsasaka kung ano talaga ang pakinabang nito.” Atty. Panlilio, on the other hand, expressed her deepest gratitude to the participants, stating that the event marked a major milestone, being the first orientation held since 2019. “For me, this is history, and you are part of this history for this assessment and orientation.”

In addition to the discussions on various Sagip Saka topics, a workshop on crafting the Enterprise Capacity Development Plans (ECDP) was conducted, where the National Banner Programs and Regional Field Offices presented their outputs, which were then critiqued by a panel.

It is noted that Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, was signed into law on April 17, 2019, and took effect on October 30, 2019. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) were formulated in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance. The IRR was eventually issued by the Department of Agriculture as Administrative Circular No. 8, Series of 2019, on October 30, 2019.

Among the benefits that farmers and fisherfolk may receive under the Act are: the realization of their full potential as sustainable agripreneurs; direct market access by selling their products to the government; full access to the Kadiwa ng Pangulo; enhanced productivity and entrepreneurial skills; entitlement to tax incentives and exemptions; reduced unfair pricing and exploitation; improved quality of life; and a renewed perspective on agriculture. Thus, the Act is more than just legislation—it is a powerful tool to transform the agriculture and fisheries sector. ### Photos and Story by Je Erryl Shayne Esmao