A significant milestone for agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) took place after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in this region forged the renewed memorandum of agreements (MOAs) providing farmers a steady and institutional market for their agricultural products.

The MOAs signed were with the Bokod Sulphur Spring, Caliking Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), and the Northern Buguias MPC, for them to continue supplying their agricultural products to eight (8) BJMP offices and district jails.

Caliking Farmers MPC Board of Directors Chairman Samson Calubsing said on behalf of his fellow farmer-beneficiaries and organization, that they are happy to have this partnership with the DAR and BJMP.

“This program has greatly assisted us during the pandemic. We are very happy for the commitment of the two agencies to alleviate the nationwide problem of poverty and improving our living conditions," he said.

The undertaking is implemented under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) Program, a collaborative effort to combat hunger and poverty in the countryside by fostering cooperation among governmental bodies, agricultural organizations, and correctional facilities to promote sustainable development and community well-being.

Undersecretary Milagros Isabel Cristobal of the Office of Support Services said that the DAR, apart from enhancing the skills of the ARB, makes sure that their agricultural products have a steady market.

National PAHP Focal Person and BJMP Jail Senior Superintendent (JSSupt) Bernardo Sanchez shared that their office would continue to support the excellent quality of the food production and assist in purchasing the farmers' products.

DAR-CAR Regional Director Samuel Solomero, BJMP JSSupt Regional Director Atty. Kenneth Bid-ing, DAR-CAR Assistant RD Virginia Aycud, DAR PAHP National Point Person Susan Gambalan, along the dedicated staff from both BJMP and DAR, all showed their strong solidarity and support for the program.

Isang mahalagang pangyayari ang naganap para sa mga agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) ng Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) pagkaraang ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at ang Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) sa rehiyong ito ay nagkaroon ng lagdaan para sa renewal ng memorandum of agreements (MOAs) na nagbibigay sa mga magsasaka ng matatag at institusyonal na mamimili para sa kanilang mga produktong pang-agrikultura.

Ang mga nalagdaang MOA ay sa pagitan ng Bokod Sulphur Spring, Caliking Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), and Northern Buguias MPC, para ipagpatuloy nila ang kanilang pagsu-supply ng produktong pang-agrikultura sa walong (8) BJMP offices at district jails.

Nagpasalamat si Caliking Farmers MPC Board of Directors Chairman Samson Calubsing sa ngalan ng kapwa niya mga magsasakang benepisyaryo at organisasyon, na napakasaya nila para sa pagkakaroon ng partnership na ito sa DAR at BJMP.

“Malaki ang naitulong sa amin ng programang ito lalo na noong panahon ng pandemya. Masayang-masaya kami sa pangako ng dalawang ahensya na maibsan ang problema sa kahirapan at pagpapaunlad sa aming mga pamumuhay,” aniya.

Ang kaganapan ay ipinatupad sa ilalim ng Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) Program, isang sama-samang pagsisikap na labanan ang kagutuman at kahirapan sa kanayunan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng kooperasyon sa pagitan ng mga kinatawan ng pamahalaan, agricultural organizations, at correctional facilities upang itaguyod ang napapanatiling pag-unlad at kapakanan ng komunidad.

Ayon kay Undersecretary Milagros Isabel Cristobal ng Office of Support Services na ang DAR, bukod sa pagpapatalas sa kakayahan ng mga ARB, ay nagtitiyak na ang kanilang mga produktong pang-agrikultura ay mayroong matatag na pamilihan.

Ibinahagi naman ni National PAHP Focal Person and BJMP Jail Senior Superintendent (JSSupt) Bernardo M. Sanchez na patuloy na susuportahan ng kanilang tanggapan ang mahusay na kalidad ng produksyon ng pagkain at tutulong sa pagbebeta ng kanilang mga produkto.

Nagpahayag ng matibay na pagkakaisa at suporta para sa program sina DAR-CAR Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero, BJMP JSSupt Regional Director Atty. Kenneth A. Bid-ing, DAR-CAR Assistant RD Virginia D. Aycud, DAR PAHP National Point Person Susan Gambalan, kasama ang mga dedikadong kawani mula sa BJMP at DAR.