DAR distributes over 7K aid packages to NegOcc farmers
BACOLOD CITY – More than 7,000 aid packages were distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to farmer-beneficiaries in Negros Occidental amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
The project is implemented under the agency’s “The PaSSOver: ARBold Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the Covid-19 Pandemic”.
Each aid package includes rice, canned goods, noodles, and hygiene kits.
In Negros Occidental, which is the number one province for land acquisition and distribution in the country, the DAR has two provincial offices, each focusing on the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the north and south.
Teresita Mabunay, provincial agrarian reform program officer II of DAR-Negros Occidental I (North), said on Tuesday that the master plan of food provision during the pandemic was realized because the agency was concerned for the welfare of the farmers.
“Although it was just simple food packs that we distributed, we believe and understood that these would go a long way to sustain them during these difficult times,” she added.
During the project run from May 21 to 29, DAR-Negros Occidental I (North) was able to distribute 3,716 food packs to farmer-beneficiaries in various cities such as Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, San Carlos, Bacolod and municipalities of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, and Manapla.
Meanwhile, the DAR-Negros Occidental II (South) distributed a total of 3,615 aid packages to various municipalities and cities under its area of coverage as of May 29.
The recipients were ARBs in Bago City, Valladolid, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinamaylan City, Binalbagan, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, Sipalay City, and Hinobaan.
Arnulfo Figueroa, officer-in-charge provincial agrarian reform program officer of DAR-Negros Occidental II (South), said they aim to extend assistance to ARBs and their respective organizations to mitigate the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project is the DAR’s response to Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act to support the ARBs who are front-liners in food security. (PNA)
