DAR turns-over P17-M worth of farm machineries to AgSur farmers

DAR turns-over P17-M worth of farm machineries to AgSur farmers By Rechel D. Besonia P ovincial News

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur - Just before Valentine’s day, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Agusan del Sur Provincial Office has shown love and warmth to the farmerbeneficiaries by giving them not

“Dako gyud among pasalamat sa DAR sa pagsuporta sa amoang mga mang-uuma pinaagi sa paghatag nila ug mga ekipo (We are thankful to DAR for supporting us through the provision of these farm machineries and equipment),” said Emilia Eribal, Chairman of Kahugpungan sa Malahutayong Mag-uuma Para sa Ekonomikanhong Kalambuan (KAMMPE).

KAMMPE along with nine other Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in five municipalities of Agusan del Sur, Veruela, Trento, Bunawan, Sta. Josefa and Loreto were among the recipient ARBOs of the said FMEs amounting to a total of P17-million, of which P3.3-million is under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) and P13.7-million is under the Project Convergence on Value Chain for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE).

Maximo Gegato, Manager the usual bouquet nor chocolates and teddy bears, but millions of peso worth of Farm Machineries and Equipment (FME) held at DAR Provincial Office in San Francisco, this province.

of Southern Agusan Seed Producers Cooperative (SASEPCO) said that with the farm equipment they received, there will be efficient processing of rice which would mean an increase in their income.

The ceremonial cutting of ribbon, which signifies that the FMEs were formally turnedover was led by Undersecretary of Foreign Assisted and Special Project Office (FASPO) Bernie F. Cruz, Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal, Asst. Regional Director Daylinda Paz Narisma, Asst. Regional Director for Operations Agnes Dela Cerna, PARPO II Jamil P. Amatonding Jr. and PARPO II of Surigao del Sur Leoncio C. Bautista Jr.

“We always consider the welfare of our farmer-beneficiaries in consonance with President Duterte’s mandate to pursue a more aggressive and genuine agrarian reform program and ensure that you are provided with the needed support services to increase your household income,” Usec. Cruz said to the farmers.

He also added that with the cooperation of the ARBOs to take care of everything that the government had given is very vital for the improvement of their organizations.

In his message, Director Villareal emphasized that the department will always be there to help the farmers become self-sufficient and sustain the productivity of their awarded lands. Meanwhile, PARPO Amatonding bared that with the provision of these equipment, more than 3,000 farmers are expected to benefit from it. “We are aiming to increase our reach in the years to come. We are also eyeing to resolve the problem of hunger in the province by linking our farmer’s produce to available institutional markets,” he added.

The signing of the Trust Agreement and Handing of the Certificate of Turn-over and Acceptance were also among the highlights of the day.

The Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project is a project of DAR intended to support the areas vulnerable to the impacts of climate change while the Convergence on Value Chain for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the Philippines (GOP). (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIAAgusan del Sur)

LGU, Army hold info P ovincial News

campaign, medical checkup to 2 SurSur schools

The said activity was a collaborative effort of the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the Army’s 36IB and the Local Municipal Nutrition Office and Division Health Team of LGU San Miguel, which aimed to intensify its information and education campaign to the students.

During the activity, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Jessebel Esparagoza, gave a lecture about Healthy Lifestyle, while Health Coordinator Mary Jane Ongayo discussed and gave insights about teenage pregnancy and its consequence. Meanwhile, the 36IB troopers conducted the film showing and gave a lecture about the Communist NPA Terrorists’ (CNTs’) deceptive tactics of recruitment to students and youth sector. The activity was highlighted with a free haircut from the 36IB and free medical check-up and dental services offered by the Division Health Team led by Medical Officer III Dr. Andrew Lumang. The school also provided porridge as part of the Department of Education (DepEd) School-Based Feeding Program to the students. (CMO-36IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur) TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The local government unit (LGU) of San Miguel in partnership with the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion, Philippine Army conducted a convergence awareness campaign to around 400 students of Sagbayan National High School and Sagbayan Elementary School in San Miguel town, this province, on Feb. 13, 2020. By Capt Jonald Romorosa

P ovincial News 18 FRs receive E-CLIP assistance in SurSur

TAGO, Surigao del Sur - A total of 18 former rebels (FRs) received government assistance through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) last week held at the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) in Tandag City, a military official said. According to Capt. Jonald Romorosa, 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) Civil Military Operations officer (CMO), the 18 FRs composed of 17 regular New People’s Army (NPA), and one Militia ng Bayan (MB) member were coming from Sitio Ibuan, Barangay Mampi, Lanuza, and Barangay Hinapuyan, Carmen, respectively.

Capt. Romorosa said 17 of them identified as regular NPA members received P70,000.00 each, which comprised of livelihood assistance (P65,000.00), and cash assistance from the provincial government (P5,000), while the lone MB member received a total of P20,000.00 (P15,000.00 as livelihood assistance, and P5,000.00 from the provincial government).

“The activity conducted was part of the reintegration program given by the government for them to start a new February 15-21, 2020 Caraga Infocus 23

22-km road project to connect villages in Surigao Norte by 2022 P ovincial News life as they return to the mainstream of society together with their loved ones,” said Romorosa.

Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, 36IB Commanding Officer, said that the awarding of ECLIP assistance to the 18 former rebels is a manifestation that the government is sincere in its program to help the FRs to start and begin a new life together with their family. The commander then called on the remaining Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) to surrender and return to the folds of the law to avail the E-CLIP of the government intended for them.

“Once again, I am calling the remaining Communist NPA terrorist to surrender now, and return to the folds of the law, avail the E-CLIP of the government and live with peace,” Ltc Diagmel said. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is constructing the two-lane national road junction (NRJ) Rizal – Togbongon – Mat-I – Mabini – Trinidad road that will connect various barangays in Surigao del Norte.