DAR entrusts Egg Layering facility to SASJ Agrarian Reform Cooperative

Climate change brings extreme weather conditions, overall warming trends, and alters precipitation patterns. With such adverse effects directly changing the agricultural landscape, the need for alternative sources of income and agricultural engagements came to be inevitable.

As the Department of Agrarian Reform continues to pursue climate-change mainstreaming activities pursuant to the mandate of RA 9729 otherwise known as the Climate Change Act, an egg-layering facility project was awarded to Sta. Ana-San Joaquin Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SASJ AR Coop) last September 5, 2024 in Brgy. Sta. Ana Covered Gym, Pandan.

As an anchor organization, SASJ AR Cooperative was also a recipient of DAR projects in the past like ARISP III and LinksFARMM. With 610 ARB members, 358 are male and 252 are female.

Under DAR’s Cimate Change Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program-Sustainable Livelihood Support for Disaster Affected Areas or CRFPSP-SL, a ready-to-lay chicken set and chicken housing were proposed and awarded to the identified project beneficiary.

Boasting of 240 heads of ready to lay chicken, SASJ AR Cooperative embarked on an egg-layering project located in the tranquil vicinity of Brgy. Sta. Ana in the municipality of Pandan. With a housing composed of six units of cages, DAR also provided a water system to ensure the distribution of clean water for the layers.

Amid the impacts of climate change, DAR’s goal for the project is to further enhance and sustain agricultural productivity, being the primary means of livelihood in agrarian communities and to ensure adaptation towards resiliency.

The project came into fruition with the solid backing of DAR’s partner implementing agencies such as the Local Government Unit of Pandan headed by Mayor Tomas U. Estoperez Jr. and Barangay Local Government Unit of Sta, Ana headed by Hon. Joseph A. Mariano.During the turn-over ceremony, Hon. Joseph A. Mariano gave the guests and participants a very warm welcome.

In his opening remarks, PARPO II Florentino D. Siladan issued a challenge to the members of SASJ AR Cooperative to double the numbers of the egg-layering chicken initially awarded to the ARB organization. PARPO Siladan also emphasized the ARBs’ importance and gave them credit because their organization is a conduit for various programs and projects of the government.

CARPO PBD Mary June B. Andres delivered the project briefer, offering clarification and insights about the essence of the project awarded to SASJ AR Coop. CARPO Andres reminded the members of the ARBO to ensure proper handling of the chicken, the facility, and their produce for the sustainability of the project.

The Municipal Agriculturist Florime Olandres representing Mayor Estoperez assured the ARBO members that the Office of the Agriculturist is open to whatever inquiries and questions relative to the organization’s egg-layering project. She then reminded the organization to process their accreditation in the office of the Sangguniang Bayan and the Department of Agriculture, as well as the registration of the members to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Hoping that the gem that is SASJ AR Coop will turn into a diamond in the future, SARPO Arni B. Sumaylo, Regional CRFPSP Point Person and representing DAR Region VI Director Leomides R. Villareal, thanked everyone for their efforts and wished the organization the best of luck in this venture.

SASJ AR Coop Manager Jose Jony Gregorio thanked DAR for the continuous support and for choosing SASJ AR Coop as the beneficiary of multiple projects from different DAR programs.

PARPO I Eileen Grace Zurita’s closing message recognized the cooperation and involvement of the ARBs, starting from the prayer delivered by the soulful voice of an ARB’s son, to the dance number performed by Sta. Ana Women’s Group, and everyone who spared time to this turn-over.