Cordillera ARBOs to deliver agri products to inmates to ensure quality food
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) inmates are now assured of quality food, as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology conducted a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 28, 2020, which would also help boost the income of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), as products to be delivered, would come from members of various ARB organizations (ARBOs) in the area.
DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones said the agricultural products to be delivered will be sourced out from the produce of the ARBs to meet the regular food requirements of prisons in CAR.
“Through this strategic partnership, the ARBs shall get better returns of their investments while consumers will have access to quality food products,” he said.
He disclosed that the most important and basic consideration in enhancing farmers’ production is the assurance of a ready market as this will enable the farmers to avoid negotiating with middlemen who usually dictate low prices for their commodities.
The partnership is being implemented under the government’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (EPAHPP) where government institutions converged to support the poor people in the countryside.
DAR-CAR Regional Director Atty. Eugene P. Follante said the DAR will assist and empower the ARBs and ARBOs to increase their production and engagement in agri-based and agri-related enterprises, for them to contribute to the well-being and improvement of quality of lives of those living in the agrarian reform communities (ARCs).
Virtual Signing of agreement conducted between the DAR, BJMP and ARBOs of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“Napakasaya po namin. Sana po ay magtuloy-tuloy ang ating samahan para sa ikagaganda ng buhay ng ating mga ARBs,” Follante said.
The MOU signing was led by Secretary Castriciones with BJMP-CAR Regional Director J/SSUPT Roland Lee Ng Cael and eighteen (18) ARBOs from Abra. Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province and BJMP offices in CAR Region.
The EPAHP is intended to contribute to the national government’s efforts in addressing hunger and poverty to directly benefit the poorer sector of the society through the synergy and convergence of the essential services under the Office of the President-Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Education (DepEd), Health (DOH), Science and Technology (DOST), Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Population Commission (POPCOM), and LANDBANK.
