What are the sources of funding for foreign assisted and special projects under FASPO? 

With the Philippines’ successful implementation of the biggest agrarian reform program with close to 5 Million hectares of land distributed to almost 3 Million Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), there is a need for sustained support services.

FASPO is mandated to look for and explore various foreign funding from abroad to include the lead funding institutions (WB, ADB, IFAD, JICA) for various foreign assisted and special projects by sovereign foreign governments that believe in the capacity of the Filipino Farmers/ARBs to produce more from their lands towards agricultural modernization, thereby uplifting their families from rural poverty.

What are the areas covered by FASPO’s completed and ongoing projects?

Nationwide in 81 provinces, 995 municipalities, 1,355 ARCs, 5,793 barangays.

What is now the reach of FASPO in its impact on the income of ARBs and ARBO in areas where special projects were implemented?

The substantial impact on the annual income of ARBs is proven by the final report submitted by completed projects like CONVERGE which was implemented for six (6) years that involved end-to-end support from land preparation to marketing.

What is the strategic direction and focus of FASPO in this Administration?

In support of the President’s directives and commitment to the people, the Department would need to reach out and create a positive impact on the lives of a significant number of beneficiaries.  This will require critical interventions which would need different sets of competencies and ultimately different sets of functions/structures.

– Continue the Monitoring and Evaluation of ODA and international programs and projects.
– Facilitate packaging, conceptualization, writing, and finalization of proposals, and programs by providing technical support to concerned sector/s
– Update compendium of International funding grants assistance and loans
– Initiate and Facilitate the conduct of forums/conferences with the development partners under grants and possible investments
– Preparation of updated and consolidated reports by the sectoral focal person in-charged of particular FAPs programs 
– Initiate design of FAPs Digital Monitoring System
– Full Liquidation of All Unliquidated Fund Transfers to NGAs, Line Agencies, DAR, NGOs / POs, etc.
– Continue the conduct of Konsulta Sessions with various Stakeholders
– Intensify conduct of Investment for for various qualified programs and projects

What are the major criteria being used by the DAR in selecting priority areas for funding under foreign assisted projects?

These vary depending on the projects. However, for big foreign assisted projects, the land area must be at least 500 hectares (contiguous) with at least 500 ARBs. The type and level and kind of existing support services provided, the lesser, they are getting even with high poverty incidents, the more possible that they become beneficiaries of FAPs. The presence of active Institutional partners in the area is a plus factor to lend technical and financial management support to ARCs.

In terms of focus, what is the difference between SSO and FASPO?

FASPO and the Support Services Office (SSO) work hand in hand in supporting the ARBs by their creation as provided for by R.A.6657 and R.A. 9700, and subsequent Memorandum Circulars, especially in implementing the budget allocated from foreign and local funding, respectively. 

What is the sustained mission of FASPO beyond the mandate of DAR in its land acquisition and distribution?

FASPO will play a critical role in the extended life of the DAR in looking for funds from foreign funding agencies to augment the budget allocated by Congress in providing sustained support to close to 5 Million ARBs to boost agricultural production that will be translated to poverty reduction in the countryside.  This means more ARB dependents will be able to send their children to college and learn more about modern farming methods in both rice and corn and high value crops.