Quezon City — Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III lauded Sen. Raffy Tulfo for his strong support in securing P141 million for the rehabilitation of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) former Foreign-Assisted Project Office (FAPsO) building.

Estrella emphasized that Tulfo’s dedication made the long-awaited project a reality.

“It is not easy to ask for funds from either the Senate or the House of Representatives, but Sen. Raffy did not stop until the fund, the highest ever granted to the department, was finally secured,” Estrella said during the simple groundbreaking ceremony at the DAR in Quezon City.

Tulfo, better known among his constituents as “Idol” for being an “action man” as depicted in his radio program: “Tulfo in Action,” echoed: “I’m happy to have played a role in this long-overdue project. I assure you that this will not be the last. For as long as it is for our people, especially for our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), you can count on me.”

“The sector of our farmers and fisherfolks is crucial for our nation. Sadly, however, it is the same sector that is most neglected and oppressed,” he added.

Tulfo also recalled what the late President Ramon Magsaysay once said: “Those who have less in life should have more in law,” as perfectly applies to that sector of farmers and fisherfolks.

The event was attended by key DAR officials, including Undersecretaries Jesry Palmares (FASPO), Rowena Niña Taduran (Special Concerns, External Affairs, and Communication Operations Office), and Napoleon Galit (Legal Affairs), as well as employees and guests. Public Works and Highways Assistant Secretary Mary Bueno also joined the ceremony, noting that the project aligns with efforts to create a more inclusive and sustainable agriculture sector.

Established in 1993, FAPsO has been instrumental in securing international funding for agrarian reform initiatives, leading to the creation of Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) as hubs for development programs. The building’s rehabilitation will strengthen DAR’s capacity to manage these vital projects, further benefiting farmers and rural communities. (By: Richard Gallardo)

Estrella Pinuri si Sen. Tulfo sa Pagsuporta sa P141-M rehabilitasyon ng dating FAPsO building

Quezon City – Pinuri ni Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III si Sen. Raffy Tulfo sa kanyang buong-suporta upang makakuha ng P141 milyon para sa rehabilitasyon ng dating Foreign-Assisted Project Office (FAPsO) building ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Ayon kay Estrella, naging posible ang matagal nang inaasahang proyekto dahil sa dedikasyon ni Tulfo.

“Hindi madaling humingi ng pondo mula sa Senado o Kongreso, ngunit hindi tumigil si Sen. Raffy hanggang sa tuluyang makuha ang pinakamalaking pondong naipagkaloob sa kagawaran,” ani Estrella sa ginanap na groundbreaking ceremony sa DAR, Quezon City.

Si Tulfo, na kilala bilang “Idol” dahil sa kanyang pagiging “action man” sa kanyang programa na “Tulfo in Action,” ay nagpatibay ng kanyang pangakong patuloy na susuportahan ang mga proyektong makikinabang ang mga agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

“Masaya akong naging bahagi ng matagal nang inaasahang proyektong ito. Tinitiyak ko sa inyo, hindi ito ang huli. Hangga’t ito ay para sa ating mamamayan, lalo na sa ating mga magsasaka, maaasahan ninyo ako,” ani Tulfo.

Binigyang-diin din niya ang kahalagahan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa bansa, ngunit sa kabila nito, sila rin ang madalas na napapabayaan.

“Ang sektor ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay mahalaga para sa ating bansa, ngunit ito rin ang pinaka-nalilimutan at naaapi,” dagdag niya.

Binigyang-pugay rin ni Tulfo ang yumaong Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay sa kanyang pahayag: “Those who have less in life should have more in law,” na aniya’y angkop na angkop sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

Dumalo sa seremonya ang mga pangunahing opisyal ng DAR, kabilang sina Undersecretary Jesry Palmares (FASPO), Rowena Niña Taduran (Special Concerns, External Affairs, and Communication Operations Office), at Napoleon Galit (Legal Affairs), kasama ang mga empleyado at panauhin. Kasama rin sa pagdiriwang si Public Works and Highways Assistant Secretary Mary Bueno, na nagsabing ang proyekto ay makakatulong sa pagkakaroon ng mas inklusibo at pangmatagalang kaunlaran sa sektor ng agrikultura.

Itinatag noong 1993, ang FAPsO ay may mahalagang papel sa paglikom ng pondo mula sa mga internasyonal na donor para sa mga programa ng repormang agraryo. Dahil dito, nabuo ang Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) bilang sentro ng mga programang pangkaunlaran. Ang rehabilitasyon ng gusali ay lalo pang magpapalakas sa kakayahan ng DAR na pangasiwaan ang mahahalagang proyektong ito, na magdudulot ng higit pang benepisyo sa mga magsasaka at komunidad sa kanayunan.