DAR distributes 1,263 has. agri lands, P 57.6 million bridge in Cebu province
The economic lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Cebu is expected to further improve as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed a total of 1,263.3 hectares of agricultural lands to 1,035 ARBs in the province, specifically with 681.14 hectares in Toledo City and 582.15 hectares in the town of Pinamungajan.
Apart from the land distribution, the department also turned over two (2) bridge projects with a total cost of P57.6-million, implemented under the “Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo Project (TPKP)”. Both project cost P28.8-million each, turned over in the towns of Balamban and Aloguisan.
The construction of the steel bridge would provide quicker access and cheaper transportation expenses for the farmers when they bring their products to various markets and trading centers.
DAR Secretary Brother John Castriciones said these government interventions are aimed to improve the lives of the ARBs and contribute to ensuring the country’s food security.
“The DAR has three mandates – to give lands to landless farmers, agrarian justice delivery, and the provision of support services. We are pooling all our resources to provide these services to the farmers because they truly deserve these interventions as they are the ones keeping the country’s agriculture alive,” Brother John said.
The DAR Secretary added that the agency would continue to visit far-flung areas to talk and listen to the concerns of the farmers.
Aside from the bridge projects, the farmers also received two (2) trucks for their farms.
Support Services Office Undersecretary Emily Padilla congratulated the farmers for the blessings they received.
“I hope that what you receive today will free you from the bondage of poverty. Take care of the equipment and infrastructure provided to you and continuously cultivate your lands to make it more productive,” Padilla said.
A memorandum of agreement also took place during the event between the DAR and the local government of Cebu forging partnership through Enhanced Countryside Development (ECD) program to boost the economic lives of the farmers by increasing their source of income, creating more livelihood opportunities, and improving agricultural productivity that would ensure food sufficiency in the province.
Central Visayas Regional Director Resty Osias said the signing of the agreement between Brother John and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia would certainly pave the way for the development of the rural areas in the province.