The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office No. 2 Operations and Maintenance Audit Team (ROMAT) audited the Sweet Potato Wakay Production and Marketing Enterprise and got a ‘Good’ rating based on the findings from the team on August 17, 2022, in Basco, Batanes.

The audit aims to check the said enterprise’s functionality, financial report, and operations. This is also to assess the Marginal Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (MFMPC) goals as stated in their business plan.

During the audit, Diptan residents have seen harvesting at the foot of the Vayang rolling hills, famous for their majestic ocean views and Mt. Iraya on a gloomy morning.
While the sweet potato farmers harvested, the team inspected the perimeter fence worth P862, 400 (civil works). The perimeter is vital in guarding the farms to get away from animals that destroyed the plantations before.

Criselda Villa-Vinalay, MFMPC project manager, laid out the impact the group has received through the provisions of infrastructure and marketing support. She said the interventions of the DA PRDP have helped them process the sweet potato.

“In times when we can’t sell our products, our members use these as animal feeds,” she said. She highlighted that when the group enters processing, things have changed, household incomes have increased, and wastage has been minimized.

The subproject cost has strengthened the processing aspect of the proponent group.
Bernadette Galoso, M&E Unit head, and ROMAT vice chairperson presented the audit findings during the exit conference informing the group that collaboration with the DA PRDP, PLGU Batanes, and the PG will be a significant factor in strengthening the partnership in attaining the project’s objectives.

Batanes Provincial Agriculturist Cesar Hostallero also welcomed the team, acknowledged the project’s importance, and thanked the party for this robust collaboration.

Also present were the DA PRDP consultants who served as resource persons during the said audit.