DAR-IARCDSP continues support to Maguindanao Agrarian Reform Communities
September 24, 2020 - A Farm to Market Road in Sitio Taguan, with total project cost of P9.141 million, was turned over to the LGU and an Agrarian Reform Community in Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
According to Engr. Anuar P. Acop, Italian Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program (IARCDSP) National Project Coordinator, the cost of the 600-meter road was evenly-shared with the LGU of Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipality. It is one of the 4 sub-projects of the DAR-IARCDSP in ARMM (now BARMM) which is currently under the supervision and monitoring of the DAR XII Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU), following the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the subsequent dissolution of the DAR-ARMM.
The project will benefit a total of 560 households with a population of 3,640 including 332 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. It will serve an area of 1,359.06 hectares including a CARP scope of 967.29 hectares, primarily planted with rice, corn, banana, coconut and other fruit-bearing trees.
Taguan Salbu Farmers-Consumers Cooperative ARBO Leader Magrib Guiamel said: "This concrete road made a huge impact in our daily lives, we are now able to transport our crops with ease and lower cost. Before, we had to physically carry our crops then spend fifty pesos per carabao trip to transport just 2-3 of sacks of it. Not only that, people easily reach us now too. We have become accessible to businessmen and those who want to help us."
Engr. Acop, in his message, said: "I have been thanked countless of times by Datu Saudi Ampatuan LGU Officials before. But today, I would like to say that we should be the one thanking you for giving us the opportunity to directly contribute in uplifting the lives of our farmers."
DARRO XII ARBDSPD SuARPO Maria Cecilia R. Machan, who represented RD Marion Y. Abella states that, " In all our efforts, in all the projects funded by different foreign governments and organizations, the aim is the same: To uplift the lives of the Filipino farmers." Further, she challenged the LGU and the ARB Organization: "Magtulungan po tayo. Kina Mayor po at sa Barangay Kapitan, pareho po tayong nasa side ng gobyerno.. pareho po tayo ng adhikain at sa ngayon, nasasa inyo na po ang responsibility sa operation at maintenance ng proyektong ito. At doon din po sa ating beneficiary, pangalagaan po natin ang proyektong ito, para maka-contribute din po tayo sa ating komunidad."
In closing, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Mayor Edris A. Sindatok once again thanked the DAR-IARCDSP and all other stakeholders who, despite of the Covid-19 pandemic, gave their efforts in the realization of the project.
