Bataan farmers receive land titles, equipment

Orani, Bataan – Some 41 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) received certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in a ceremony held here last Monday.

The distribution of CLOAs that cover 150 hectares of agricultural lands in Hermosa, Bataan happened during the Farmers and Fishermen’s Summit 2019 with the theme “Magsasaka at Mangingisda: Karapatan ay Isulong, Kabuhaya ng Mamamayan ay Babangon.”

Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones urged the beneficiaries to do their part in improving their respective farmlands and elevating their economic lives.

“Hangad po naming mapaunlad ang buhay ng mga magsasaka. Gusto ko komportable na buhay para sa magsasaka,” he said.

Castriciones said the department will not stop at land distribution. They have also lined housing projects for farmers, provision of crop insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., and AFFORD-ARB credit assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines, among others.

“We promise to give you support services like farm machines, access to credit and various trainings to help you sustain the gains that you reap from this land that is now legally yours,” the DAR chief added.

At the same event, Castriciones led the ceremonial turnover of farm machines and equipment to 10 agrarian cooperatives in Bataan.

The farm machines are provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project. This program aims to boost farmers’ household income by modernizing their farming through the provision of new equipment.

The DAR turned over a four-wheel-drive tractor to St. Thomas Agricultural Cooperative, Hermosa Bataan Eagle Farmers Association, and Tapulao Primary Multi Purpose Cooperative; four units of hand tractors, four grass cutters, four 2-HP mechanized water pumps, four power sprayers, four backpack sprayers, and four generators to Pagalanggang Farmers Multi Purpose Cooperative, Morong Farmers Multi Purpose Cooperative, Samal Organic Farmers Multi Purpose Cooperative, and Tapulao Primary Multi Purpose Cooperative; and two solar power irrigation to Tapulao Primary Multi Purpose Cooperative and Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Nagbalayong MPC.

The Farmers and Fishermen’s Summit 2019 was organized by 1st District of Bataan Representative Geraldine B. Roman to inform her constituents of the programs and policies of government agencies.

Government officials present during the event were DAR Undersecretary Emily O. Padilla, DAR Undersecretary Virginia Orogo, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Region III Dir. Wilfredo Cruz, Department of Trade and Industry- Region III Dir. Judith Angeles, National Irrigation Administration Engr. Alvin David, LandBank representative Lily San Luis and National Food Authority representative Adelaida Nuestro.

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