DAR and Iloilo Provincial Government Train 21 ARBOs in Farm Machinery Operations & Maintenance

POTOTAN, Iloilo – Twenty-one Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province of Iloilo received training on the operation and maintenance of farm machinery at Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Guimbal, Iloilo, on December 9, and the distribution of support services on December 11, 2023, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella, III, 19 units of Hand tractor with trailer and 22 units of Rice Thresher worth P6.3M were distributed to the said ARB Organizations. This program was funded under the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (SuRe ARC) Project.

The beneficiaries of farm machinery underwent training on the proper handling and maintenance of these machines. Farmers expressed gratitude for the Farm Machinery and Equipment (FMEs) and the training provided. Mrs. Myrna Bañes, Chairman of Tirol Estate Farmers Association (TEFA) in Concepcion, Iloilo, stated, “The machinery provided by DAR and the Iloilo Provincial Government has been a significant help to us in reducing our expenses on labor needed for our farming activities, whether in the rice fields or cornfields. Because of this, we express our gratitude to President "Bongbong" Marcos and Secretary Estrella, III, for the assistance they have shared with us that contributes to our livelihood and farming.”

On a related note, Cerconcision Rementas, Secretary of Tuy-an ARB Association from Cabatuan, Iloilo, shared their experience and how these FMEs will be able to lessen their expenses, “Our farming has become challenging lately because our rice field was affected by the drought. Initially, we used to rent machinery such as a hand tractor and thresher, which was costly as they charged us per liter. However, now we have received machinery from DAR and the government, which is a tremendous help in our farming. There may be some costs, but it's only for the maintenance of the machinery. At least, our expenses for renting machinery will be reduced, and if we urgently need equipment, it's readily available for us to use.”

Engr. Melvin T. Abonado, ABE Division-Department Head of the Provincial Agriculture Office, reminded the farmers to value and take care of the farm machinery provided to them to enhance their productivity in farming.

Also present during the activity were Punong Barangay Julie P. Sequio, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Antonio Z. Mocero, Jr., of DAR Iloilo, Engr. Melvin T. Abonado, and Mr. Ramon Rosal of the Iloilo Provincial Government.