SAAD farmers happy for graduating in literacy class By JORI MAE SAMILLANO

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 31, 2019) – Some 465 SAAD (Sustainable Area for Agricultural Development) farmers from all over Sarangani have graduated in the Basic Literacy Program of Kaalaman para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran (3K) project of the provincial government.

“Kami mga tao sa kabukiran, mga illiterate, nalipay gyud mi kay gitutukan mi sa atong Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, ug gihimuan ug programa aron kami makabalo magsulat,” said Randy Aton, a graduate from Barangay Paraiso.

“Dili lang kana, kundili pati mga proyekto sa gobyerno sama sa livelihood project, dako usab ug kahimuan sa amo,” Aton added.

The 3K project, which started last October 2018, benefited the Indigenous People farmers from seven selected upland barangays (one per municipality) who were taught to read and write in their weekly classes.

Imelda Senobago, Sulong Sarangani program director, said the main objective of the 3K project is to give these illiterate farmers a chance to learn how to read, write and count through the help of the facilitators in their barangays.

“This will help them na hindi na sila maloloko ng ibang mga traders sa pagbibilang ng pera pag nag-market sila ng mga products nila,” Senobago said during the graduation rites on July 23.

Senobago pointed out that the 3K project is also for the peace and progress of the armed conflict-prone areas.

“Through educating them, gusto nating ma-achieve na yung areas nila maging mas progressive, at magkaroon ng peace sa community,” she said.

The 3K literacy project for the SAAD farmers was made possible through the collaborative effort of the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and the provincial government.

Now, literacy classes for the second batch of learners are ongoing.

Also, according to Senobago, the project has expanded to 29 more barangays and targets to help all illiterate adults become literate in the year 2022. (Jori Mae Samillano/SARANGANI COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE)