DAR conducts validation of farmers’ equipment

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently conducted a consultation meeting with Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBO’s) in the Province of Isabela to confirm through a series of validation the actual status of farm machines provided for them through the department’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

“We conducted a surprise inspection and tested the various farm equipment awarded to ARBOs to make sure that the machines are still serviceable and farmers are maximizing its use,” Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Lucille Busog said. 

Busog explained violations committed by ARBOs can be a basis for the retrieval of their awarded equipment. “If the ARBOs use them [farm machines] for other purposes other than farming or if the machines are underutilized or unutilized, we will retrieve them for transfer to other ARBOs who need them.” 

According to Busog, as of 2015, the DAR has already awarded various farm equipment amounting to P31,558,748.32 to ARBOs in the province of Isabela alone.

The validation team composed of Busog, ARCCESS point person Leann R. Fontanilla and Eduardo Osias from TASSD visited the following ARBOs: Masipi East IA, Cabagan at Lapogan MPC, Tumauini, KALESACO at Ilagan City, San Fransisco KASG at Ilagan City, D4 Series CIA at Cauayan, Esperanza MPC at Aurora, VILLACABANES Credit Coop at San Manuel, North Siffu FMPC at Roxas, Aranaar ARB MPC at Quirino, Bannawig FMPC at Jones, MBSS Mktg. Coop at San Agustin, and ARB Crop growers Assn. San Gulliermo, Isabela. (Ma. Isaandra N. Miguel and Marion Romina Tuliao)

PHOTO: PARPO I Lucile Busog (center) reviews the statement of operations and financial report of Villacabanes MPC.