DAR Antique turns over livelihood package to ARBOs under CLAAP

The Department of Agrarian Reform Antique recently turned over livelihood packages worth 1.2 Million to three Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) identified under the DSWD-DAR Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Project (CLAAP).

A total of 84 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries from ARBOs identified namely BILI AR Coop from Sibalom, LARB Coop from Libertad and CARB FA in San Remigio received the livelihood assistance which includes 53 heads gilt and veterinary medicine for Swine Production, 20 heads cow for Cattle Fattening, and raw materials and tools for Mat Weaving/Making.

The organizations were carefully chosen and endorsed to benefit the CLAAP. The ARBO members are comprised of marginalized farmers and farm workers who largely depend in Agriculture as their main source of income but with the present situation, farming can no longer suffice the families’ everyday needs and the earnings are considered to be below the poverty threshold.

Thus, DAR and DSWD implemented the CLAAP to supplement their income.

The beneficiaries themselves identified the appropriate project they would like to engage in. Like for example, mat weaving was chosen by the beneficiaries in Libertad because of the abundance of Bariw in the area which is the main raw material for the production of the products.

In an interview, PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan advised the beneficiaries to maximize the utilization of the livelihood support given by the department and encouraged members to work together for the betterment of their organization.

“Be keen with your production and marketing for you to generate huge profit for the organization and the individual members as well, Siladan said.

Susan Villamor, Chairperson of BILI AR Coop from Sibalom expressed her appreciation and gratitude saying that they are grateful for the livelihood projects received from DAR-DSWD CLAAP in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the alternative livelihood support, these would give members especially those who have lost their job to venture into new business and also opportunity to sustain the family’s source of income aside from the conventional farming and fishing,” she added.

Meanwhile, CARPO of PBDD Maria P. Tordesillas said that the livelihood project is designed to increase the household income of each beneficiary by 15%, 5 years upon its completion.

She added that the agency will continue monitor the implementation, proactively recognize all problems that would arise and take necessary steps to guarantee that the project is completed on time and in scope.

For the project to be sustainable, DARPO Antique with partner agencies also conducted technology training in order to equip the member beneficiaries with the right knowledge and skills in handling their livelihood.