DAR AND BJMP RENEW PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY, JAIL UNITS FORGE MARKET LINKAGES WITH ILOILO ARBOS

Iloilo City, September 17, 2024—In a continued effort to combat hunger and support local farmers, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office VI has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Office VI under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program.

The ceremonial signing, held in the Zuri Hotel, Iloilo City, marks a renewed commitment to enhancing food security through market linkages between Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) and BJMP-managed jail facilities. The partnership facilitates the direct purchase of fresh produce and other food products from ARBOs, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food for BJMP inmates while providing new market opportunities for smallholder farmers in Western Visayas.

Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal highlighted the significance of the renewed collaboration, noting that it holds great potential to support ARBOs across Western Visayas. He stressed that this partnership will offer stable market opportunities for farmers while also contributing to food security in vulnerable communities.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Harriet A. Loot shared her enthusiasm for the market stability this linkage will bring to ARBOs, while Assistant Regional Director JSSUPT Vicente P. Papelera of the BJMP reaffirmed their commitment to the program. "We've seen firsthand the positive impact on ARBOs and PDLs alike. This partnership continues to improve the livelihoods of farmers and ensures that the nutritional needs of those in our facilities are met," Papelera said.

Director Eric M. Arevalo of the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) stressed the importance of a united, multi-agency effort, stating that "To truly make a difference, we must harness the collective strengths of each agency to implement strategies that empower ARBs."

During the event, marketing agreements were forged between 10 BJMP jail units in Iloilo Province and ARBOs, including Kasiha Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Agutayan-Cubay Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Nagpana Minorities Association, Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Oton Farmers Producers Cooperative, and San Julian Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Badiangan, Iloilo.

In addition, the 552nd Engineer "Eager Beaver" Construction Battalion of the Philippine Army also established market linkages with De La Paz Agrarian Reform Cooperative and San Julian Agrarian Reform Cooperative, further expanding the reach and impact of the PAHP program.

With this fruitful partnership, ARBOs are now better positioned to access stable markets, paving the way for more resilient and empowered farming communities across Western Visayas.