DAR-Antique turn over PHP 1.3-M support facilities for Antique ARBOs to cushion climate change impact

A total of Php 1,393,000.00 livelihood support facilities were turned over in a series of ceremonies on August 31 and September 9, 2022 in Barbaza and San Remigio, Antique to benefit agrarian reform beneficiaries as part of the department’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLP) & Major Crop Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement to farmer ARBS reeling from the impact of climate change.

The Esparar Multipurpose Cooperative received 3-unit Shredder, 1-unit Rotavator, 1-unit vermi shed, and 1-unit solar dryer pavement which will benefit its 341 coop members.

Farmer ARBs of MAGVIBA Farmers Association will generate more income for their association as they received 3-units stationary rice mills, 1-unit multi-purpose shredder, and 1-unit trailer assembly.

Beneficiaries under the project were also trained on organic vegetable and corn production with techno kit worth Php 440,000.00 under the project’s soft component.

The turnovers were led by DAR Regional Director Atty. Sheila B. Enciso and Antique’s Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Florentino D. Siladan. According to Siladan, the facilities were made available to assist ARBOs in increasing farm production and net revenue in a long-term way.

“We sincerely hope you would try your best to look after the facilities DAR has given you. I hope these amenities would motivate you to put in more effort to raise your standard of living,” said Siladan.

Meanwhile, Esparar MPC BOD Chairperson Celia Villaram thanked DAR for the assistance provided for them. “We will do our best and go extra mile to manage and transform all these machineries become instrument for improving our lives,” said Villaram.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by the ARBs, regional, provincial, and municipal DAR personnel as well as representatives from the local government.

The projects turned-over will enhance and sustain agricultural productivity towards resiliency amidst the impact of climate change through adoption of climate resilient training and provision of common service facilities.