DAR Antique turns over support facilities to Valderrama ARBs in celebration of DAR’s 50th founding anniversary

A total of P1.2M worth of various support facilities and livelihood services from the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office Antique in partnership with the DOLE and LGU-Valderrama were officially turned over to some 800 farmer beneficiaries belonging to four (4) agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) to provide sustainable livelihood and boost their income.

The ceremonial turnover was held on September 21, 2021 at the Covered court, Buluangan II, Valderrama, Antique.

Implemented through the Village-Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project, the Rehabilitation of the Processing Center of KAMPA MPC which is conformant to the requirement of the FDA for issuance of License to Operate (LTO) would enhance peanut production of the cooperative for them to be able to compete to the standard market demands.

The establishment of the Greenhouse Project under the Climate Resilient

Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) would ensure vegetable production in the agrarian reform communities amid the public health crisis.

Small-scale farmers of B1 MPC will no longer be hampered by their products’ high transport costs, with the provision of Marketing Transport Facility (Mini Delivery Truck) under the Linking Smallholder Farmers project of the DAR.

The Tigmamale Agrarian Reform Cooperative (TARC) received a grant livelihood assistance from DOLE under its Integrated Livelihood Program. Member beneficiaries will be given the small farm tools, equipment and seeds that they will be used to make their awarded land productive. Moreover TARC also is among the recipient of the Project Bacon of the Pilmico which grants livelihood kit to provide sustainable livelihood opportunity.

Another highlight of the event is the graduation ceremony of 32 farmer graduates of the Farmer Field School (FFS) in partnership with Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, LGU Valderrama. With the FFS, the farmers had first-hand experience in the composting and preparation of concotions.

Present during the program are key officials and personnel of DAR Antique and Regional Office VI headed by Regional Director Atty. Sheila B. Enciso and PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan, together with Vice Governor Edgar D. Denosta, LGU-Valderrama employees, officers and members of the ARBOs, and barangays officials of Buluangan II.

PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan reiterated that all the interventions of the agency are in line with the Department of Agrarian Reform’s battle cry, “Tunay na Pagbabago sa Repormang Agraryo” under the leadership of Secretary Bro. John R. Castriciones with a goal towards rural development and national industrialization.    

PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan in his message during the program reiterated that all the interventions given to the ARBOs are in line with the DAR's aim towards rural development and national industrialization.    

Despite the pandemic and the challenges posed by the weather, Director Enciso stated that the DAR remains committed to assisting farmers' organizations in the province in increasing their revenue.

“The DAR doesn’t only distribute lands but also provides necessary support services to uplift the life of all the agrarian reform beneficiaries.  I encouraged everyone to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from the trainings and seminars and enrich the support facilities being provided to increase your productivity to enable you to become farmer-entrepreneurs’, Enciso said. 

On the message of Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, delivered by Vice Governor Denosta, she said  “DAR’s performance over the past years does not only ensure that beneficiaries are given of land they deserve but as well provide legal intervention to them through adjudication of agrarian cases and agrarian legal assistance. As DAR celebrates its 50th Anniversary, I commend the effort and services to implement facilities and coordinate the delivery of support services to ARBs through various programs and projects that could aid them in their livelihood development.”

RD Sheila B. Enciso in her message encouraged everyone to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from the trainings and seminars and enrich the support facilities being provided to increase productivity and become farmer-entrepreneurs.

In an audio recorded message given by Deputy Speaker Loren B. Legarda, she recognized the farmers’ contribution to the economy and the society in general. She then congratulates the DAR for its 50th anniversary celebration and for the successful turn-over of support facilities to Antiqueño farmers.

The ARBs expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the DAR for the projects that will significantly improve their livelihood and income.

“Our cooperative extends gratitude to the services and assistance given by DAR for us to enable us to deliver quality produce of vegetable, peanut and rice. We will commit to fully implement and enhance this livelihood opportunities given to us for the benefit of our members and the community where we live,” Leandro Aquino of TARC said.

KAMPA MPC representative Mr. Danilo Bayog also expressed his gratefulness saying that the provision of projects and technical skills training by DAR would inevitably alleviate his fellow residents of the agrarian reform communities from poverty because of the additional job and income it brings.   

OIC MARPO Nueva Era C. Pido gave the closing remarks, thanking everyone involved, including the Provincial Government, LGU-Valderrama, ARBOs, DAR Regional and Provincial personnel, and the media, for their cohesive efforts in making the undertaking a successful and fruitful one.