DAR-MinSAAD turns over P169M agri and infra projects to boost lives of ComVal ARBs

Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province - The Department of Agrarian Reform-Mindanao Sustainable Agriculture and Agrarian Development (DAR-MinSAAD) recently turned over P169 million worth of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Agroforestry Development (AAAD) and Infrastructure projects to some 1,884 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in a move to improve the livelihood of farmers in Karagan Valley Settlement. 

The support infrastructure project included a 10.3-kilometer farm to market road in barangay Bahi, rural water supply with 40 tap stands, and 2 post-harvest facilities with warehouse and solar dryer – in barangays Langgawisan and Bahi, both in Maragusan, and Cagan in New Bataan.

During the inauguration rites, DAR-MinSAAD also turned over AAAD projects on abaca, organic rice, peanut, vegetable and cacao to five Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs).  These five were Langgawisan-Bahi Tribal Association (LABATA), Kagan Tribal Unity (KATRIBU), Langgawisan Bahi Tribal Agrarian Beneficiaries Cooperative (LABATARBCO), Bahi Irrigators-Farmers Association (BIFA), and Cagan Andap IP Farmers-Irrigators Association (CAIFA).

Aside from the development projects, common service facilities  were likewise given to the ARBs consisting of mills and shellers for corn, dehuller, grinder and roaster for arabica coffee.

Also during inauguration program, 206 residents of the settlement were also recognized for completing the short-term course on the season-long Farmers’ Field School (FFS) which focused on coffee, corn and rice.

Since 2011, MinSAAD, a poverty alleviation project of the DAR in selected marginalized areas in Mindanao, has committed to implement the AAAD and Infra projects in order to alleviate poverty and support Karagan ARBs and ultimately, give them a better quality of life.

“Achieving this feat is not as easy as some of you might think” OIC PARPO I Melchor B. Jamora said in his message as he delivered the project brief. PARPO Jamora recalled that it used to take them one day to walk, barefoot, from Poblacion, Maragusan to Barangay Langgawisan.

 “It was indeed a long journey and now, we have finally achieved the realization of these projects”, MinSAAD Project Manager Eduardo E. Suaybaguio also added as he cited the history of the project.

The farmer beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support extended to this remote town in Compostela Valley Province and added that the projects extended to their community  immensely improved their lives and opened new opportunities for further development in the area.

Ernesto Bidao, KATRIBU Chairperson quipped, “Pangandoy ug panalanganin kini sa among katingulangan unya kami na makapahimulos. Nagpasalamat ko sa Ginoo sa pag-gamit sa DAR isip instrumento na mahitabo ni” (This was just the dream and prayers of our ancestors and now, we get to reap it. I thank God for using DAR as an instrument in making all of these happen).

“Ang akong kalipay kay 150%”, Bidao added as he vowed to take good care of all that was given to them in behalf of Karagan community.

DAR Undersecretary Bernie F. Cruz commended the LGU officials as well as the local DAR officials and employees for their full cooperation in realizing such achievement.

To further strengthen the extension of support services to Karagan Settlement, another batch of projects will be turned over later this year, which includes production of arabica coffee, cord production, livestock and poultry raising, more farm-to-market roads, irrigation project, and spring development.

Also present during the turn-over were DAR Regional Director Joseph H. Orilla, PBDD CARPO Ellordo C. Gualberto, Mayor Maricel Colina-Vendiola and Vice Mayor Cesar Colina, Sr. of Maragusan, Mayor Gerladford N. Balbin of New Bataan, DA-PhilFIDA Director Eduardo B. Holoyohoy, MinSAAD Consultant Itsuo Kihara and Representative of JICA Philippines Office, Lou Andrea S. Cabanilla. ^JPR