Over 2K DAR beneficiaries get aid in Agusan Norte
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Norte (DAR-ADN) has allocated over PHP1.1 million to provide food aid to more than 2,000 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
Provincial agrarian reform officer (PARO) Andre Atega told Philippine News Agency Saturday that the distribution of food packs is part of the “ARBold Program” that is implemented nationwide.
“The program aims to lessen the impact of the lockdowns on the lives of our ARBs. Most of them have experienced limited movements during the quarantines as required to protect them from being infected by Covid-19,” Atega said.
A total of 2,307 food packs were simultaneously distributed to different towns in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City on May 29, he said.
Atega also personally handed over food packs to 80 ARBs in Barangay Basag, Butuan City.
Each food packs contain four kilos of rice, three canned goods, four noodles and other household needs such as two bath soaps, 20 pieces of vitamin C, and three face masks.
Atega also reminded the personnel of DAR-ADN to observe the proper protocols during the distribution, to include wearing of face mask and physical distancing.
DAR regional director Leomides Villareal said that around PHP2.78-million budget was allocated by DAR for food packs distribution in Caraga.
Villareal said the amount will cover around 5,558 ARBs in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and the Province of Dinagat Islands.
“ARBold is DAR’s immediate response to aid the ARBs from the impacts of the lockdowns and the Covid-19 pandemic,” Villareal said, adding the initiative has four components.
First is support to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) as front-liners in the food supply chain during the pandemic. Another is the farm productivity assistance to the ARBs that involves the provision of starter kits such as seeds, seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, and other farm tools.
Villareal said the second component has a total allocation of PHP6,725,938 that will directly benefit around 99 ARBOs in the region, Villareal said.
The third component, he added, is the livelihood support for women in a crisis, especially during the pandemic which has a total allocation of PHP900,000 for the region.
“The fourth component is the distribution of the food packs. This is the immediate response we make to ease the difficulties of our ARBs during this health crisis,” Villareal said. (PNA)
