Cavite City – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Cavite has renewed its partnership with the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to help fight hunger and poverty by sourcing food supplies directly from the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who are members of ARB Organizations (ARBOs).

The renewal of the agreement was formalized on April 21, 2025, through a Memorandum of Partnership and Marketing Agreement signed by PNPA and two Cavite-based ARBOs—the Tres Cruces Farmers Association, Inc. and the Daine 1 and 2 Farmers Association, Inc.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III welcomed PNPA’s renewed commitment to the government’s Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP), saying it reflects the “bayanihan” spirit among government agencies to uplift marginalized farmers.

Under the agreement, PNPA will continue purchasing its daily food requirements from DAR-assisted ARBOs at fair market prices. This move supports ARB members by ensuring stable income and protecting them from exploitative traders.

The signing was witnessed by DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Josef Angelo Martires and Calabarzon Regional Director Cupido Gerry D. Asuncion and PAHP National Coordinator Ma. Susan Gambalan.

DAR Cavite Director III James Arthur Dubongco also played a key role in maintaining PNPA’s support, coordinating closely with PNPA leadership under Brigadier Gen. Christopher C. Birung.

“This is a win-win partnership. PNPA gets a steady supply of fresh produce, while our ARBOs receive just compensation for their hard work,” Dubongco said.

The DAR-PNPA PAHP project, which started in 2023, aims to empower ARBOs and eliminate unfair trading practices.

“Our ARBs invest time and resources hopeful to earn a decent income, only to be shortchanged by middlemen. Through partnerships like this, we aim to change that,” Dubongco added. (By: Richard B. Gallardo and Aldrick Mattew P. Antonio with contributions from DAR-Cavite)

DAR, PNPA sa Cavite Pinagtibay ang Pagsasama para Labanan ang Gutom at Kahirapan

Cavite City – Muling pinalakas ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) ang kanilang ugnayan upang labanan ang gutom at kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng direktang pagbili ng PNPA ng pagkain mula sa Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) na mga miyembro ng ARB Organizations (ARBOs).

Nilagdaan ng PNPA at dalawang ARBO mula Cavite—ang Tres Cruces Farmers Association, Inc. at Daine 1 and 2 Farmers Association, Inc. ang kasunduan noong Abril 21, 2025.

Ayon kay DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, ang muling pagsuporta ng PNPA sa Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) ng pamahalaan ay nagpapakita ng diwa ng bayanihan sa hanay ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno para maiangat ang kalagayan ng ARBs.

Ayon sa kasunduan, ipagpapatuloy ng PNPA ang pagbili ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangang pagkain mula sa mga ARBO sa tamang presyo. Makakatulong ito sa mga magsasaka upang magkaroon sila ng siguradong kita at maiwasan ang pananamantala ng mga mapagsamantalang mamimili.

Ang pagpirma sa kasunduan na sinaksihan nina DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Josef Angelo Martires at Calabarzon Regional Director Cupido Gerry D. Asuncion at PAHP National Coordinator Ma. Susan Gambalan.

Malaking bahagi ang ginampanan ni DAR Director III James Arthur Dubongco, sa pagpapanatili ng suporta ng PNPA sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamunuan nito sa ilalim ni Brigadier Gen. Christopher C. Birung.

“Panalo ang lahat dito. May suplay ng sariwang pagkain ang PNPA, habang nakakatanggap naman ng tamang kabayaran ang ating mga ARBO sa kanilang pagsisikap,” ani Dubongco.

Layunin ng proyektong DAR-PNPA PAHP, na nagsimula noong 2023, na bigyang-lakas ang mga ARBO at wakasan ang hindi makatarungang bentahan ng ani.

“Ang ating mga ARB ay nagsusumikap at gumagastos mula sa sarili nilang bulsa na umaasang kikita. Pero madalas, sila’y naloloko ng mga middlemen. Gusto nating tapusin ang ganitong sistema sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong ugnayan,” dagdag pa niya.