SIFI conducted a 2-day program review and budget planning for year 2021 last December 1-2, 2020 at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
A total of twelve (12) VRO staff attended the said event which includes the Responsible Sourcing for Smallholders (RSS) team. Physical distancing was strictly observed, including wearing of masks. Each project officer presented their accomplishments, variance analysis and 2021 budget proposal.
An inspiring message was delivered by the SIFI President and COO Edith Y. Villanueva that despite this global health crisis, there’s always an opportunity. “Always have a positive outlook and be ready to create innovations, analyze the strengths and weaknesses, then plan appropriately,” she emphasized.
A capability building session jumpstarted the budget planning with Dr. Marie Therese Jochico as Resource Speaker. Her goal was to gather insights and reflections on each member’s experience with the SIFI programs, and review the SIFI vision and mission if it aligned with their individual plans and activities.
This was a productive workshop where the SIFI VRO staff was able to analyze the Foundation’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to further improve its implementation capability.
Among the reports presented, it was mentioned that SIFI was able to conduct various webinars and online orientations to scholars despite the postponed face-to-face trainings due to restrictions and protocols implemented by the national IATF.
SIFI also distributed COVID prevention hygiene kits, tarpaulins and flyers to planters associations and mills extending the foundation’s help in the awareness of the pandemic and how to avoid it.
