DAR Antique turned over Php4.9-M worth of marketing support facility to ARBOs

 

San Jose, Antique – The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office Antique with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity and profitability of the farmer ARBs with regards to sustainability and resilience turned over the Php 4.9M worth of  Marketing Support Facility to identified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs) on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the DAR Provincial Office, San Jose, Antique.

Implemented under various projects of the agency which are Linking Small Holder Farmers to Market (LinkSFarM), ARBold Move and Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), a total of Php4.9M of hauling/delivery truck were awarded to Barbaza Farmers and Irrigators Association (BFIA) in Barbaza, Sta. Ana- San Joaquin Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SASJ-ARC) in Pandan and Tigmamale Agrarian Reform Cooperative (TARC) in Valderrama.

Prior to this, members of the three ARBOs received various trainings on financial literacy, rice production focused on safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides, rice-based processing and organic vegetable production from the agency.

Moreover, these ARBOs are also recipients of farm equipment, infrastructure projects, irrigation and post-harvest facility implemented under CRFPSP and ARISP III.

DAR Region VI Regional Director Atty. Sheila B. Enciso, who led the ceremonial turn over, emphasized the importance of collaboration between DAR and the ARBOs saying that the agency will always true to its mandate of uplifting ARBs towards the betterment of their quality of life and in return the organization should learn to stand on their own feet through enriching their awarded lands, produce quality goods and utilize the support facilities to increase their income.

She also commended the efforts done by the DAR Provincial Office Antique headed by PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan for holding the MOA Signing and Turn-over ceremony as early this year which signifies a true ISO Certified Organization.

During his opening message, PARPO II Siladan thanked everyone who came to grace the event by saying “We couldn’t make this project possible without the focus and support from the DAR regional and provincial office and our partner stakeholders.”

“Though the several projects implemented and conducted, we hope that it will be able to help the ARBs develop skills and awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship in farming,” Siladan said.

“During the wake of pandemic, the ARBOs have difficulty in accessing markets for their products thus the awarded marketing support facility would transform them into a dynamic and high-growth sector of their agrarian reform communities,” he added.

Also part of the ceremony is the signing of Memorandum of Agreement with respective officers and representatives from BFIA, SASJ ARC and TARC.

The ARBs expressed their gratitude to the DAR for the projects they believe would greatly increase their livelihood and boost their income.

“This has been our organization’s ambition and now that it has come to a reality, I could not contain my happiness. Our community is situated far from the town market and transport service is very limited but with this hauling truck from DAR we will be able to transport our products fresh from our farm to market,” said Rowena Biongan, TARC Chairperson.

BFIA,duly represented by Michelle Alagao also expressed her gratefulness saying that the delivery truck would be a great help to the Palay Trading of the association to generate more income and produce employment.

On his acceptance speech, SASJ ARC General Manager Jose Jony Gregorio, thanked DAR for the endless support provided to their cooperative and promised to take good care of the support facility.

The closing remarks were delivered by OIC PARPO I Ludimer A. Capague thanking everyone from the ARBOs, DAR Regional and provincial personnel and media for their efforts inorder to make the undertaking a successful one.

“Today marks another milestone for DAR Antique as we turn over the three marketing support facility and ink the Memorandum of Agreement all for the empowerment of our agrarian reform organization,” said Capague.

The marketing support facilities are expected to benefit 697 ARBs from three ARBOs and will support the marketing of their various products and eventually boost their livelihood and organization’s income.

 

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