The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in North Cotabato recently turned over a Php300,000.00 worth of enhanced abaca processing and drying center to Perez ARB Rubber Farmers Association of Barangay Perez, Kidapawan City, to improve their abaca fiber quality.

Aside from the facility, the abaca farmers would also benefit from a Php2-million worth project entitled, “Environment Responsible Abaca Value Chain to North Cotabato Farmers,” through the World Vision Development Foundation, with funding support from the government of Singapore.

Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rodolfo Alburo said with the enhanced processing and drying center, they expect to further improve the livelihood of abaca farmers in the area and increase their income by improving the quality of their product.

Alburo added that with the processing facility, provided through Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, the farmers were also provided with skills and institutional training as part of the soft component of the project.

“Through the training, our farmers were already producing and selling abaca by-products such as bags, slippers, placemats, bags, and twines, among others,” he said.

Meanwhile, World Vision’s Program Officer Samuel Ocon said the Php2-M project would highlight the expansion of abaca production by establishing more nurseries in the area, which will directly benefit 500 farmer-beneficiaries.

“The project will help further develop farmers’ knowledge of environmental protection and climate change adaptation, and generate alternative livelihood to promote and improve the sustainability approaches of the community,” Ocon said.

During the turn-over ceremony, the convergence efforts of different government agencies and non-government organizations, such as the Philippine Fiber Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, local government of Kidapawan City, and the World Vision Development Foundation, were recognized for boosting the abaca industry and for extending assistance to the recipient ARB organization.

In the acceptance speech of the project, Association President Allan Masibay, Sr., expressed his gratitude to all the agencies that extended their help in reviving and expanding the abaca production in their barangay.

"The enhancement of our abaca processing center posed a great challenge and inspiration to all the members of the organization and abaca farmers in our community. This shows the sincerity in upscaling abaca production and product innovation in our community,” Masibay said.

Nagkaloob kamakailan ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sa North Cotabato ng may Php300,000.00 halaga ng enhanced abaca processing at drying center sa Perez ARB Rubber Farmers Association ng Barangay Perez, Kidapawan City, upang lalong mapagbuti ang kalidad ng kanilang abaca fiber.

Bukod sa pasilidad, ang mga abaca farmer ay makikinabang din sa Php2-milyong halaga ng proyektong, “Environment Responsible Abaca Value Chain to North Cotabato Farmers,” sa pamamagitan ng World Vision Development Foundation, na pinondohan ng pamahalaan ng Singapore.

Ayon kay Assistant Regional Director at Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rodolfo Alburo, sa enhanced processing at drying center ay inaasahan nilang lalong bubumuti ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka ng abaca at madagdagan ang kanilang kita sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaganda ng kalidad ng kanilang produkto.

Idinagdag pa ni Alburo na sa processing facility, na ipinagkaloob sa pamamagitan ng Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, ang mga magsasaka ay nabigyan din ng mga skill at institutional training bilang bahagi ng proyekto.

“Sa pamamagitan ng training, ang ating mga magsasaka ay nakagagawa na at nakapagbebenta na rin ng mga abaca by-product gaya ng bag, slipper, placemat, bag, twine, at iba pa,” aniya.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni World Vision’s Program Officer Samuel Ocon na ang Php2-M halaga ng proyekto ay magbibigay ng expansion sa abaca production sa pagtatayo ng mas maraming nursery, kung saan makikinabang ang 500 farmer-beneficiary.

“Ang proyekto ay mas lalo pang magpapa-unlad sa kaalaman ng mga magsasaka sa pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at pag-aangkop sa pagbabago ng klima,, at sa pagbuo ng alternatibong kabuhayan upang itaguyod at pahusayin ang mga paraan ng pagpapanatili ng komunidad,” ani Ocon.

Kinilala rin ang convergence effort ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan at non-government organization, gaya ng Philippine Fiber Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, lokal na pamahalaan ng Kidapawan City, at ang World Vision Development Foundation, sa pagpapalakas ng industriya ng abaca at pagbibigay-tulong sa ARB organization.

Sa kanyang acceptance speech ng proyekto, nagpasalamat ang Association President na si Allan Masibay, Sr., sa pagbibigay tulong at pagpapasigla ng produksyon ng abaca sa kanilang barangay.

"Ang pagpapabuti sa abaca processing center ay nagbigay ng malaking hamon at inspirasyon sa lahat ng kasapi ng organisasyon at ng mga abaca farmer sa ating komunidad. Ito ay pagpapakita ng tunay na pagpapa-angat sa ating abaca production at product innovation sa ating komunidad,” ani Masibay.