Table of
Contents
I.
Cover Page
II.
The DAR IX Management
III.
Message of the Regional Director Highlights of Performance
1-6
Land Tenure Sustainability Program (LTSP)
7-8
Agrarian Justice Delivery Program (AJDP)
9
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program
10 - 36
Special Reports Success Stories Through The Lens Support to Operations
The DAR IX Management (left to right) PARPO I Elizardo Villaseca (Zamboanga Sibugay), PARPO II Arturo N. Soria (Zamboanga del Norte), PARPO II Moh. Dassan Adju (Zamboanga Sibugay), PARPO II Judith P. Mantos (Zamboanga del Sur), Regional Director Julita A. Ragandang, ARDO Agnes Y. Maata, ARDA Ramon E. MadroĂąal Jr., PARAD Avito Zamora, and PARPO I Rizzel Villanueva (Zamboanga del Norte.)
The DAR IX contingent headed by Regional Director Julita A. Ragandang (standing, 7th from left) pose for posterity with DARCO officials led by Secretary John R. Castriciones (seated, center) after the five-day National Summative Assessment for CY 2017 and Planning Conference for 2018-2022 held in Quezon City.
MESSAGE of the Regional Director
D
AR Region IX has marked a momentous journey towards change and challenge in 2017. Though quiet unique for this year because we have had three Department Secretaries in a row. However, this was never made a reason to slide back or lose our momentum in the implementation of the program. In fact, gargantuan tasks were heading towards the path of innovative mechanisms, but we were able to hurdle and manage to deliver what serves best to our clientele. In line with these challenges, DAR IX has launched various projects and programs, adopted different strategies by intensifying linkages to line agencies, strengthened support services delivery, adopted a demand driven approach to land distribution, creation of task force and among others. Such demand of tasks maybe viewed as herculean challenge, not to mention the legal and operational bottlenecks, budgetary constraints, and the uninterrupted bickering of regional transfer. However, these may seemed as though but the call has been loud and clear for DAR IX implementers, and that is to remain resolute in our commitments, and never to lose sight in our quest towards a progressive land reform. Among the many challenges posted, was the issue on land conversion on irrigated ricelands situated at Barangay Talisayan in Zamboanga City, where the said area has become part of the zoning and reclassification per Zamboanga City Ordinance passed by the Local Council way back in 1978. It is of this reason where I stood on a podium before members of the Sanggunian Panglungsod via live coverage during the session and responded to the many questions raised by them. It seemed as though I went through the proverbial eye of a needle before these men, but with conviction, I argued strongly and stood firmly alongside with our farmer beneficiaries who are most affected in the area. The battle so to speak is a challenge yet consoling on my part, for after all the over-all framework of DARs thrusts and policy directions is to defend and protect the rights of our farmers.
In this new threshold of government, the law on landownership under R.A. 6657, as amended, was streamlined and strengthened by giving emphasis on the distribution of agricultural lands to qualified farmer beneficiaries, and the security of tenure of the land they till. As a follow through, new directives were issued to hasten and improve the land tenure service. Through these laudable programs, this year CY 2017, DAR IX has successfully distributed a significant number of acres with corresponding Certificate of land Ownership Awards (CLOA) to farmer beneficiaries all over Zamboanga Peninsula. Undoubtedly, this has transformed our landless farmers into landowners. Furthermore, Project ConVerge initiated by DAR, along with our regular activities and commitments, has now gained its momentum since its inception in 2016, and now at its peak in terms of project launching all over Zamboanga Peninsula. The birth of Project ConVerge helps pave the way for a more decent and modest lives for our farmers.
“It has been a worthwhile journey with you, and this would not be made possible and memorable without you alongside with me in this journey.�
All these and more are inscribed in this annals which made this presentation significant. This is significant because this will give us better understanding of our agrarian journey, and wider perspectives on how to address key challenges, issues and resolve problems in a bolder manner and at a faster pace. My appreciations to those hands who participated and worked hard in coming up a publication like this. To this end, the road to public service is an endless travel and full of challenges. However, if we work as one team and as a family, there is no word such as peak valleys that cannot be conquered and horizons that cannot be soared high. Let’s continue to work as one team as we continue to thrive in our respective fields. I commend to the men and women of DAR Region IX for the perseverance and hardwork through the years. It has been a worthwhile journey with you, and this would not be made possible and memorable without you alongside with me in this journey. Muchas Gracias y Dios te Vendiga a todo!
Julita A. Ragandang, CESO III Regional Director
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 1
2017 REPORT
Land Tenure Sustainability Program (LTSP)
A. Land Acquisition and Distribution 1. Claim Folder Documentation Under claim folder documentation, the accomplishments of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay are reflected in Table 1. Both provinces covered a total of 513.2717 hectares (92%) of their CY 2017 target of 556 hectares. These involved 47 landholdings with 202 farmer-beneficiaries. The province of Zamboanga del Norte overshot their target in terms of area to be covered by delivering 143% (with a target of 231 hectares vs. 331.2717 hectares accomplishment). For Zamboanga Sibugay, their low accomplishment is due to the lack of Approved Survey Plans (ASPs). The Survey Returns (SRs) are already with the
Land Management Services (LMS) and are still undergoing Inspection, Verification and Approval of Surveys (IVAS). So, even if the claim folders (CFs) are already at
the DARPO level, the process cannot be completed. Zamboanga del Sur is already ahead for 2017 hence, they do not have data under claim folder documentation.
Target
Accomplishment
Province No. of Hectares
No. of Hectares
Rate
No. of LHs
No. of FBs
Zamboanga del Norte
231
331.2717
143%
25
111
Zamboanga del Sur
-
-
-
-
-
Zamboanga Sibugay
325
182.000
56%
22
91
Total
556
513.2717
92%
47
202
2 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
2. Land Survey Surveys are done to determine the boundaries and technical description of the area for distribution. It is executed to relocate and subdivide lands for distribution to qualified ARBs. It likewise locates roads, streets and other areas which are nonCARPable as well as retention areas of landowners. For January 2017 to December 2017, 399.1639 hectares are already with Approved Survey Plans. Again, the province of Zamboanga del Norte overshot its target by accomplishing 118% while Zamboanga Sibugay accomplished only 7% due to the prevailing issue on survey returns approval at the LMS.
2017 REPORT
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 3
2017 REPORT
Performance Indicator
No. of Landholdings
Area in Hectares
3. Land Valuation Province
CY 2017 Target
Accomplishment
Rate
Zamboanga del Norte
37
18
49%
Zamboanga del Sur
49
8
16%
Zamboanga Sibugay
29
8
28%
Total
115
34
30%
Zamboanga del Norte
438
218.8622
50%
Zamboanga del Sur
561
269.9295
48%
Zamboanga Sibugay
316
73.8176
23%
Total
1,315
562.6093
43%
When claim folders undergo and pass the regular processing, the landholdings are now ready for valuation. This determines the landholdings’ value based on various considerations such as crops planted,
location, terrain, etc. For 2017, the three provinces accomplished only 34 of the 115 target landholdings or barely 30%. This covered 562.6093 hectares. The low
accomplishment of Zamboanga del Norte is due to the unstable peace and order situation in Sibuco and Sirawai municipalities which resulted to the delay in the conduct of a Joint DARLBP-BARCC-LGU-LO Field Investigation aside from the fact that those are problematic landholdings. There is also the issue on the delayed issuance of certifications from the LMS with regards to the correction of erroneous area in the ASPs and/or CS profiles. The province of Zamboanga del Sur is also covering mostly problematic (legal and technical concerns) landholdings, hence their low accomplishment and Zamboanga Sibugay’s problem is still the on-going IVAS of the SRs at the LMS. Table 2 shows the accomplishment of Region IX on Land Valuation.
4. EP/CLOA Registration The Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) are awarded to ARBs as proof of ownership of the land they till and could either be collective or individual in nature. Collective CLOAs are issued to a group of beneficiaries in plantations or big landholdings while individual CLOAs are for lone ownership. The overall accomplishment of Region IX is 64% for the number of hectares with EP/CLOA registered involving 415 ARBs. The difficulty in securing the necessary documents results to the delay in the submission of CFs for valuation and other subsequent steps to complete the process.
B. Leasehold Operations Leasehold which is a non-land transfer tenurial improvement program aims to protect farmers whose lands are not covered by land transfer. They are guaranteed of their security over the lands they till through the execution of a leasehold contract between farmers and landowners. Under this scheme, a bigger share of 75% of the net harvest goes to the farmer-lessee and 25% to the landowner as rental for the use of land. Leasehold Operations of DAR Region IX has overwhelmingly surpassed its target for the past few years. For the period January to December 2017, it delivered an accomplishment of 192%.
4 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
C. Land Tenure Sustainability Programs
2017 REPORT
1. Parcelarization of Collective CLOAs Collective CLOAs need to be subdivided to enhance productivity and improve the capacity and motivation of farmers to pay land amortization. However, before individual CLOAs can be generated, redocumentation had to be done since in most instances, the original ARB/s is/ are no longer in the area, or in case of hereditary succession, the qualified heir/s of the original ARB/s is/are now in possession of the land. For the year 2017, DAR IX accomplished 89% of its target in the number of hectares with Approved Survey Plans (ASPs). A total of 2,069.8668 hectares are already with ASPs as against its target of 2,323 hectares. The province of Zamboanga del Norte still has SRs for approval at the LMS.
2. Re-documentation of Collective CLOAs As earlier cited, before individual CLOAs can be generated, re-documentation had to be done since in most instances, the original ARB/s is/are no longer in the area, or in case of hereditary succession, the qualified heir/s of the original ARB/s is/are now in possession of the land. The three provinces surpassed their targets on this with Zamboanga del Sur notching the top with 291% accomplishment. Figure 5 shows the impressive accomplishment of each province.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 5
2017 REPORT
3. Distributed But Not Yet Documented/Paid Lands (DNYD/DNYP)
The landholdings under this category are mostly from Government Financing Institutions (GFIs) and Operation Land Transfer (OLTs). The affected lands were distributed and awarded to ARBs prior to complete documentation and payments CY 2017 Performance Province by LBP to the concerned landowner/ Indicator Target Accomplishment Rate institution. Zamboanga del Norte 112 68.2336 61% The region has a total Zamboanga del Sur 609 171.0281 28% accomplishment of 246.378 hectares No. of Hectares Zamboanga Sibugay 91 7.1163 8% (30%) of distributed but not yet documented or paid lands. The low Regional Total 812 246.378 30% accomplishment is mostly caused Zamboanga del Norte 112 68.2336 61% by policy-related concerns such as Zamboanga del Sur 375 73.6272 20% Requiring Survey registered ARBs in the CLOAs are Zamboanga Sibugay children of previous LOs or awaiting Regional Total 487 141.8608 29% resolution of cases. Adding up is the Zamboanga del Norte difficulty in acquiring the necessary Zamboanga del Sur 234 97.4009 42% documents hence the delay in the Not Requiring Survey Zamboanga Sibugay 91 7.1163 8% submission of the CFs to LBP. Regional Total
325
104.5172
32%
4. Final Survey Documentation (FSD) Previously, only parceliary maps were attached to claim folders that were forwarded to DARCO for processing instead of the ASPs. Those landholdings were then partially paid. For subject landholdings to get full/final payment, the regular requirements need to be submitted, hence, re-survey and/or re-validation are done to complete the process. Nevertheless, the province of Zamboanga del Sur overwhelmingly overshot their target by delivering 163% accomplishment on the number of hectares.
5. Land Distribution and Information Schedule (LDIS) Performance Indicator
No. of Hectares
Requiring Survey
Not Requiring Survey
Province
CY 2017 Target
Accomplishment
Rate
Zamboanga del Norte
-
-
-
Zamboanga del Sur
300
487.5938
163%
Zamboanga Sibugay
-
-
-
Regional Total
300
487.5938
163%
Zamboanga del Norte
-
-
-
Zamboanga del Sur
258
239.9423
93%
Zamboanga Sibugay
-
-
-
Regional Total
258
239.9423
93%
Zamboanga del Norte
-
-
-
Zamboanga del Sur
42
247.6515
590%
Zamboanga Sibugay
-
-
-
Regional Total
42
247.6515
590%
This instrument is jointly prepared by the DAR and the LBP-AOC to determine the amortization schedule of ARBs on the land awarded to them. The LADIS is designed to provide information for the computation of the amortization that the FBs should pay the government. But to come up with the said form, the process is multi-activity which entails the involvement of various people from the DAR, LBP-AOC and the BARC. Once the collective CLOAs are subdivided and re-documented, the individual CLOAs are documented so that the Land Bank of the Philippines can determine the value of the awarded lots and prepare the individual amortization ledger of the ARBs. For the year 2017, the LADIS accomplishment of Region IX is 706 or 43% of its physical target of 1,645. The table below would show the target and accomplishment by province.
6 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
2017 REPORT
Number of ARBs with LDIS
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 7
2017 REPORT
Agrarian Justice Delivery Program (AJDP)
The Agrarian Justice Delivery Program is complemented by two programs: • Agrarian Legal Assistance • Adjudication of Agrarian Reform Cases Both functions are exercised by the Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assisttance (BALA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB).
A. Agrarian Legal Assistance (ALA) Agrarian Legal Assistance covers cases involving agrarian law implementation; representation of agrarian reform beneficiaries before judicial and quasi-judicial tribunals and mediation and conciliation. The 2017 accomplishment of the four BALA Offices in Region IX in mediation, representation in judicial courts and in quasi-judicial bodies is shown.
BALA Offices (Legal Division)
Target
Accomp
%
115
Land Transfer Clearances
558
825
147
129
Referral Cases
11
21
140
BALA Offices
Target
Accomp
%
Mediation
1,698
2,390
141
Representation in Judicial Courts
26
30
Representation in Quasi-Judicial Bodies
667
861
DAR IX BALA Regional Accomplishments
As shown in Figure 7, a total of 1,242 cases were resolved. This represents 157 percent of its total target of 790 cases, involving 784 ARBs and 1,991.7839 hectares.
All Cases Resolved
8 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
2017 REPORT
B. Adjudication of Agrarian Reform Cases (AARC) Adjudication Board . The DARAB through its Adjudicators shall hear and decide disputes involving the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and other agrarian laws and their
The other key program under the Agrarian Legal Services is the Adjudication of Agrarian Reform Cases whose functions are exercised by the Department of Agrarian Reform
Cases resolved by DARAB in CY-2017.
after which, the case folder shall be transmitted to the BALA for review, and eventually to the Office of the DAR Secretary which has the original exclusive jurisdiction to resolve the same. When an ALI component is at
In cases involving the cacellation of registered Emancipation Patents (EPs) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), the DARAB is tasked to undertake a case folder build up. The process of case buildup shall be done by its Adjudicators,
DARAB Offices
Target
Accomp
%
Cancellation Build-up
35
42
120
Case Build-up with Findings & Recommendations to the Sec.
128
Posting of Notice
164
Cancellation of CLOA
Finally, the web based Legal Case Monitoring System (LCMS) is an effective tool for monitoring the status of cases in both the BALA and DARAB Offices in Region IX, and is very much in place. Under the LCMS, all agrarian cases filed at the DARAB and BALA are entered and encoded in the record of the case profile of each case for easy regular updating on the case action and monitoring of the case status. The official accomplishment report shall be taken from the system.
53 116
41 71
Implementing Rules and Regulations. There are two categories of cases handled by the DARAB, namely, the regular cases and the just compensation or land valuation cases. Regular cases include Ejectment, Reinstatement/ Recovery of Possession, Maintenance of Peaceful Possession, Injunction, Fixing/ Collection of Rentals, Correction of Entry of EP/CLOA. During the preliminary conference of the Adjudicator, he/she shall first exhaust all possible avenues to amicably settle the case. This proceeding is called Alternative Dispute Resolution of ADR. Both the Legal and the DARAB are mandated to exert efforts to pursue alternative dispute resolution. The ADR is designed to put an end to controversies and to persuade contending parties to settle their disputes amicably to minimize court litigations.
issue in a cancellation case, it shall be classified as a case build up with findings and recommendation to the DAR Secretary; when there is none, the DARAB shall proceed with the posting of notice in the area subject of the cancellation case.
DARAB Offices
Target
Accomp
%
Administration of Oaths/Affirmation
211
435
206
Implementation of Writ of Installation
181
45
25
Land Acquisition and Distribution Related Activities
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 9
2017 REPORT
T
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP)
he Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program, is one of the major programs of the Department. It is the support services delivery component of the Agrarian Reform Program which aims to capacitate the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) through their organizations, as the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs). It also provides access to the needed support services to make their lands more productive, enable them to engage in income generating livelihood projects to increase productivity and income, and income, and improve the quality of life of the ARBs.
The ARBDSP is pursued under four major activities, such as : Supervision and Management for Effective Delivery of Support Services; Social Infrastructure Building (SIB); Enterprise Development, Economic and Physical Infrastructure Support (EDEPIS); and Climate Resilient Farm Productivity. Under the DAR’s program, intervention strategies were introduced to empower ARBs and make them partners in catalyzing change in the rural communities. The organizations are channels of support services and other forms of interventions coursed through the DAR and partner agencies, local government units, and stakeholders.
Start-up activities include social and institutional capability building to orient ARBs and shift their mindset from being dependent to the gov ernment, towards managing their own development. Other interventions are economic and entrepreneurial trainings to mobilize community resources for ARBs to engage in economic endeavor. The package of development interventions constitute a series of activities like training and actual demonstration of knowledge and concepts to ensure proper application. It also includes infrastructure support services in the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) or ARC Cluster.
10 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
The Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) An ARC is a barangay or cluster of contiguous barangays within a municipality where majority of CARPcovered lands are awarded to a critical mass of ARBs. The Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) strategy focuses on priority agrarian reform areas to maximize delivery of support services to accelerate and sustain national growth through a concerted, holistic, and area-focused approach in community development. Through the ARC, the DAR can showcase the possibility of improving the lives of farmers and their community.
The Agrarian Reform Community Cluster (ARC Cluster) In order to intensify rural development in the ARCs, the DAR developed the ARC Cluster to extend the geographic reach of the ARCs to cover a greater number of ARBs and other farmers in the adjacent barangays and municipalities. Through the ARC Cluster approach there is a need to address concerns on production, improvement on productivity and income and to open opportunities for agribusiness development in these areas. The ARC Cluster shall be pursued through capacity building, information and learning exchange, alliance building and convergence of development projects and initiatives. To date, the DAR IX has launched and confirmed a total of 155 ARCs and 8 ARC Clusters, one ARC Cluster confirmed in year 2017.
A. Supervision and Management for Effective Delivery of Support Services 1. IT-Enabled Maturity Assessment (ITeMA) ITeMA is an enhancement of the Organizational Maturity Assessment (OMA) portion of the ARC Level of Development (ALDA). In 2015, the ITeMA was developed as a comprehensive tool and realistic result of assessing the levels of maturity of the DARassisted ARBOs located both in the ARC and non-ARCs. It also seeks to bring to for the development gaps or the interventions yet to be provided. Likewise, it aims to create a database of DAR–assisted ARBOs from which updated and comprehensive ARBO profiles can be readily generated.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 11
2017 REPORT
2. Infrastructure Previously Completed and Turned-Over to LGUs for Maintenance
ITeMA is an enhancement of the Organizational Maturity Assessment (OMA) portion of the ARC Level of Development (ALDA). In 2015, the ITeMA was developed as a comprehensive tool and realistic result of assessing the levels of maturity of the DARassisted ARBOs located both in the ARC and non-ARCs. It also seeks to bring to for the development gaps or the interventions yet to be provided. Likewise, it aims to create a database of DAR–assisted ARBOs from which updated and comprehensive ARBO profiles can be readily generated.
ARBO Name
Municipality
Zamboanga del Norte
Maturity Level 2015
2016
2017
Siare Valley Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Sindangan
4
5
5
Barcelona Primary Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative (BPMAC)
Dapitan City
4
5
4
Baiguian
4
4
4
Kauswagan Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Beneficiaries
Langatian CARP Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Pres. Manuel A. Rojas
4
4
3
Guinles Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Polanco
3
4
4
Pagadian City
5
5
5
Zamboanga del Sur Gubang Farmers’ Beneficiaries Savings and Credit Cooperative (GUFABESCCO) renamed Gubang Farmers Agrarian Reform Coop. (GUFARBECO) Lindongan Farmers Ben. MPC (LIFABEMCO)
Labangan
5
5
5
Labangan Farmers First Consolidated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAFFICOMPC)
Labangan
5
4
5
Midsalip Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MIFAMCO)
Midsalip
5
5
5
Baclay Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Tukuran
5
5
5
Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO)
Kabasalan
5
5
5
Makilas Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Ipil
4
5
4
Timbabauan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (TIMARBENCO)
Tungawan
3
4
4
Nanan Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Payao
2
4
4
Zamboanga Sibugay
ARBOs with High Level of Maturity for the past three Years
B. Social Infrastructure Building (SIB) The SIB is geared towards social awareness and capacity building of ARBs to strengthen their organizations. Its primary concern was to help marginalized groups to collectively develop their capacity to use and manage productive lands and other community resources towards self-sufficiency on basic needs especially food and competence in area development.
2. Capability Building to ARBs and ARBOs
Assistance to ARBO and ARB Membership
No. of ARBs Trained The ARBOs as well shall be developed to link up with other government agencies and people’s organizations to learn and improved their ways of farming and to serve as conduit of support services. These organizations are channels of support services from which their members can access credit, marketing support, trainings, and rural infrastructures.
Capacity Development (CapDev) activities are trainings or capacity development interventions provided to ARBOs that are directly related to their accessing of APCP loans, operations and management of their organization related to the funded production and enterprise projects. The ARBs underwent various training programs to enhance their skills to enable them to engage in agri-business endeavor and diversify their existing farm enterprises. The trainings provided include necessary expertise on new technologies for them to increase their farm productivity and entrepreneurial skills so that their produce can be more competitive in the market. Through these trainings, farmers gained wider opportunities to venture in other aspects of business aside from farming.
12 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
C. Enterprise Development, Economic and Physical Infrastructure Support (EDEPIS)
2017 REPORT
This activity is concerned with the promotion of agribusiness and enterprise development activities of the ARBs, such as processing of agricultural products, engaging in income-generating projects, marketing assistance, technology transfer, and capacitating the ARBs to become entrepreneurs. The support services provided were coursed through the cooperatives and/or Agrarian Reform Organizations (ARBOs).
1. Development of Products The ARBOs who have potential to become entrepreneurs were assisted by DAR, DOST, DTI and through the provision of Service Providers on Agricultural Extension and Business Development Services in the Development of their food and non-food products. These ARBOs were assisted by the East West Seed Company as the Service Provider of the three provinces of the region, on the production of different varieties of high valued vegetables.
2. Provision of Credit / Microfinance Assistance One of the major support services facilitated by DAR is the provision of credit and microfinance assistance to non-bankable ARB coops and farmers’ organizations to finance large scale livelihood and agri-related projects which
cannot be accommodated under the regular lending windows of LBP. They access credit through the Agrarian Production Credit Program or APCP. On credit and microfinance, a total of 101 ARBOs have availed of credit,
with 4,725 ARBs provided with credit services and 5,100 ARBs with microfinance services distributed in the three provinces. Likewise, there are 8 ARBOs developed as microfinance providers to cater the financial needs of individual ARBs.
3. Partnership Development Program There are two components under the Partnership Development Program: the soft component or
capacity development, with 143 ARBOs covering 9,532 ARBs provided with various trainings; and hard component
which is the provision of support facility and farm equipment covering 15 ARBOs.
3.1 Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) APCP is a credit assistance program for ARBs or ARB household members through their respective organizations or other conduits to support their individual or communal crop production, agri-enterprise and livelihood projects. The program is also intended to strengthen the identified ARBOs and POs and improve the capabilities of ARBs through the provision of institutional capability building.
Under this program, thirty two (32) ARBOs involving 1,717 ARBs were provided with various capacity development trainings in order to prepare them to avail of working capital and crop production loans. The DAR facilitated the preparation of necessary documentary requirements of their loans with the LBP. For 2017, in terms of loan approval,
all loan applications of ARBOs were approved although, only 92% of the total loan amount applied was approved. The provinces surpassed its target by 29% accomplishment as against the targeted number of 1,327 ARBs that will benefit the project. Total loan released from January to December 2017 amounted to 45.33 million pesos which covers loan releases for new and continuing ARBOs.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 13
2017 REPORT
3.2 Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprises Development (VLFED)
One of the projects on ground since CY 2009 is the VLFED or Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprises Development that responds to the directives of RA 9700. The project encourages the collaboration among relevant partner institutions to provide the ARBOs’ technical and funding requirements in terms of the renovation/ enhancement of their existing processing centers, production of quality processed products (e.g., standardized recipes, adoption of Good Manufacturing Practices, complete labeling and packaging etc.) leading to the issuance of Food and Drug Administration-License to Operate (FDALTO) in favor of the ARBO as the project’s desired outcome. Within the nine years of project implementation, the VLFED has generated positive results and feedback from the field implementers as well as from the proponent ARBOs. To further sustain the initial gains of the program, VLPCEP was re-designed with the end in view of establishing rural enterprises producing processed food and non-food products anchored on production systems managed by ARBOs and/or individual ARB/rural women entrepreneurs in ARAs. VLPCEP was then renamed
“Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprises Development (VLFED) ” in 2017. Under VLFED, identified prioritized sites are those where raw materials for processing are grown by ARBs or materials are available within the community. For this year, there are 3 ARBOs for the provinces
in the region assisted under the program with two products of ARBOs awaiting the issuance of Food and Drug Administration – License to Operate (FDA-LTO). Figure 12 shows the status of the construction/ renovation of the processing building under VLFED.
Figure 12. Status of the Construction of Processing Building/ On-going Renovation
3.3 Social Entrepreneurship Program (SE) Social Entrepreneurship (SE) is an Innovative, Scalable and Sustainable Pathway to Poverty Reduction in Agrarian Reform Areas. For Cy 2017, the region targeted four ARBOs under the program with one ARBO each for Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte province and two ARBOs for Zamboanga del Sur. The selected ARBOs covered by the Program have been implementing microfinance services and microenterprises. Each of the four ARBOs was provided with Coaching and Technical Assistance and Onsite coaching and mentoring session. Zamboanga Sibugay province conducted one lakbay-aral to successful coop in Region X.
14 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
3.4 Coop Strengthening Program (DAR-CDA Coop Development) Capability programs were provided to the ARBs and cooperatives or ARBOs through trainings, specifically trainings required by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in the renewal of the organizations’ registration, to strengthen their cooperatives or organizations, enable
them to improve their entrepreneurial skills and access to economic support services. For the year, the region surpassed its targets with 48 ARBOs identified and provided different capability trainings and technical assistance covering 1,905 ARBs who have attended
2017 REPORT
these trainings. As such, these organizations and cooperatives are strengthened to enable them to manage their own operations and some agri-enterprises.
3.5 Farm Business School (FBS) The FBS aims to help farmers learn, improve their knowledge, adjust their attitudes and enhance their skills in entrepreneurial farm business management to make their farm profitable and sustainable thereby improving the socio-economic well-being of the farmers. This project has been beneficial to the farmers because it helped farmers learn how to make their farming enterprises and overall farm operations profitable and able to respond to market demands. The learning takes place at the farm level and the farmers’ capacity in entrepreneurial and management skills is built via a “learning by doing” approach. Extension workers and lead farmers are trained as facilitators, then they organize seasonal training courses. A total of 3 ARBOs with 90 ARBs have graduated the FBS and are now practitioners or adaptors of farm business technology.
3.6 LinkSFarM Project (Linking Smallholder Farmers to Market) The implementation of Linking Smallholder Farmers to Market (LinkSFarM) Project had started in 2015 in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), hence it was known as DAR-CRS LinkSFarm Project. As of December 30, 2017, Region IX has four identified project sites, two from Zamboanga del Sur located in Ramon Magsaysay and Aurora Municipalities that started as pilot areas in 2015 and one each from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay that started in 2016. These are considered as the new sites or DAR-Led project areas as per MOA forged between DAR and the LGUs concerned, our engagement with CRS ended last June 30, 2017. For Zamboanga del Norte, the project site is in the Municipality of Polanco and for Zamboanga Sibugay in Buug Municipality. Just like the pilot areas, trainings, mentoring and coaching were conducted in order to capacitate both the project implementers and cluster leaders from the new sites. The selected product for the eight-steps clustering approach on agroenterprise of Ramon Magsaysay was bitter gourd or ampalaya in local term. For Aurora, the selected product was eggplant and tilapia crunch as an additional cluster. These
products were consolidated and sold to local markets. The status of project implementation in the DAR-led sites is going smoothly. The site in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay was able to conduct two successful test marketing for coconut as the selected products with the ARBO as the product consolidator On the other hand, the selected product of Zamboanga del Norte was
eggplant. They were able to have one successful test marketing to local traders and consumers at the locality. Sustainability planning, mentoring and monitoring are crucial to strengthen project implementation in these areas. Guidance and coaching need to continue to strengthen the clusters until the farmers become competent cluster leaders and members and successful entrepreneurs.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 15
2017 REPORT
3.7 Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) The PAHP or Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty is a partnership program of DAR, DSWD and DA intended to create essential social infrastructure aimed at improving access to basic services and facilitating investment into rural economy. The convergence effort of the three agencies is geared towards eliminating hunger, ensuring food security and reduce poverty. The implementation of the PAHP is provided with the support from Development Partners as: Food and Agriculture, World Food Programme and the Government of Brazil.
This table shows a total of 13 municipalities covered under the PAHP benefiting 13 ARBOs and 615 ARBs within the 3 provinces of the region, with 266 Day Care Centers Served benefiting 16,247 Day Care Children. The interventions implemented in these sites are the following: • • • • • • • •
No. of No. of ARBs/ ARBOs Farmers Involved Involved
Province
Municipalities/City Covered
Zamboanga del Norte
6(Dipolog City, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Siayan, Godod, Tampilisan)
7
Zamboanga del Sur
3 (Aurora, Josefina, San Miguel)
3
Day Care Center Served
Day Care Children Served
281
238
9,545
197
(Bagsakan Centers and Walk-in Buyers)
2,781
Organization and capacity building of the PAHP Convergence Team & conduct of Zamboanga 4 (Naga, Titay, Ipil, Buug) 7 139 28 6,702 Sibugay monitoring activities; Total 13 13 615 266 19,028 High Value Vegetable Production using Natural Farming System (Training cum CY-2017 PAHP Sites Materials); Technical training with East West Seeds Company, provision of farm inputs, tools, equipment and capital worth P15,000/ARB @ 30 ARBs/ ARBO with marketing assistance – provided by DAR and ARCP2; Training on Livestock and Poultry Care & Management Implementation of Diversified Farming & Organic Production of Livestock, Poultry (Dispersal); Swine Breeding and Fattening Production Seminar Season-Long Training on System for Rice Intensification Training on Capability Bldg. & Development and provision of Rice Mill-DA-Phil Mech.
3.8 Community-Managed Potable Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) The CPWASH is an alternative technology to increase ARBs access to potable water supply. The project generally aims to enhance ARB households’ access to potable water and sanitation services by improving the water supply and sanitation situation in the community through low cost, culturally acceptable and appropriate technologies that can be managed and sustained by the community. At the community level the DAR established partnership with the organization and the local government units. The partnership with CBOs, who will be both project implementors and project beneficiaries, is equally important since they will be managing and operating the system. In 2017 a total of 5 projects were implemented in the three provinces of which 3 projects where implemented in Zamboanga del Norte, one for Zamboanga del Sur and one for Zamboanga Sibugay.
16 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
D. Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Project (CRFPSP)
2017 REPORT
Our country is now facing the real impact of climate change which is evident in the calamities that struck our country in the past two years. This has affected the people and animals and damaged the crops and properties of many people. The goal of agrarian development towards poverty alleviation has become more challenging with the deteriorating environment as manifested by the emergence of climate change that brings destructive impacts on the social and economic wellbeing of the communities. The table below represents the projects implemented and Common Service Facilities provided whose funding was sourced out from Special Funds of the Support Services Office. These projects were provided to the different ARBOs only in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte with only one project as per proposal of the province and Zamboanga del Sur which have 6 project proposals submitted, except for Zamboanga Sibugay who was late in the submission of their project proposal. Projects Implemented ARC
Municipality
ARBO
Farm Machinery
Agri-Technology and Extension Services Training on Agriculture Practices thru Farmers Education and other learning activities
Zamboanga del Norte Langatian Expanded ARC
Roxas
LACARBEMCO
1 unit 4WD 90HP Tractor
Ramon Magsaysay
Pasingcalan Balugo CARP Beneficiaries and Irrigators Association MPC (PABACABIA MPC)
Combine Harvester and Thresher Rice Thresher
Planting Bamboo along riverbanks and provision of alternative livelihood to members
Kumalarang
Gawil Farmers Irrigators Association
Combine Harvester and Thresher Hand Tractor
Season-long handson training on System for Rice Intensification (SRI)
Tambulig
Lo. Usugan, San Jose Rural Water System Association (LUSARWASA)
Hand Tractor
Season-long handson training on System for Rice Intensification (SRI)
Tambulig Cluster ARC
Tambulig
Alang alang ARB Cooperative
Combine Harvester & Thresher Rice Thresher
Planting Bamboo along riverbanks and provision of alternative livelihood to members
Balamban Expanded ARC
Mahayag
Sicpao Farmers MultiPurpose Cooperative
Combine Harvester and Thresher
Planting Bamboo along riverbanks and provision of alternative livelihood to members
POBLASAL ARC
Bayog
Salawagan ARB Coope rative
Combine Harvester and Thresher
Planting Bamboo along riverbanks and provision of alternative livelihood to members
Zamboanga del Sur CAMPO IV expanded ARC
BOGASI SARC
Tambulig Cluster ARC
Projects Implemented and Common Service Facilities Provided
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 17
Support Implementing Mechanisms Foreign Assisted Projects (FAPs) In the year 2017, the region has two foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) which are of varying stages of implementation: just started, ongoing and completed. The participation of all stakeholders was significant towards ensuring consolidation and complementation of initiatives and resources.
1.1 ARCP 2 The Agrarian Reform Community ProjectPhase II, funded by ADB (Asian Development Bank) whose project implementation, was extended for another year. Under the Project, a total of 117 rural infrastructure sub-projects were approved for funding such as: construction of FMR, bridges, irrigation system, flood control cum FMR, day care centers, school buildings, and tribal buildings and agri-enterprise development. These are spread region-wide covering 36 municipalities, most of it comes from Zamboanga del Sur. As shown in the table below, out of 117 sub-projects, 104 or 88% are completed and 13 or 12% are on-going with a total project cost of P1,162,288,791.52. Considering that all on-going sub-projects are spill-over construction of farm-to-market roads, and agri-enterprise development, ARCP2 implementation is extended midyear of 2018.
Province
No. of Municipalities
Approved
Total Project Cost (Php)
Completed
Ongoing
Zamboanga del Sur
17
51
573,730,533.56
44
7
Zamboanga del Norte
11
53
388,137,097.53
50
3
Zamboanga Sibugay
8
13
200,421,160.44
10
3
Total
36
117
1,162,288,791.52
104
13
Status of Infrastructures under ARCP2 In terms of agri-enterprise development in the ARCs and ARC Clusters, the Value Adding Projects for implementation are until next year with a total project cost of Php 1,680,000.00 and Php 2,075,500.00, respectively.
Province
Project Title
Project Cost
Status
Zamboanga del Norte
Organic Rice Production and Trading: DPIA Marketing Coop. Dipolog City
P550,000
On-going
Zamboanga del Sur
Organic Rice Production & Processing through Sustainable Organic Agriculture (SOA) and Systems for Rice Intensification (SRI): RIMMPCO, Rizal-Molave
P550,000
On-going
Zamboanga Sibugay
Lagundi, Ginger, Turmeric Powder Processing and Marketing: PSDS, Municipality of Siay
P580,000
On-going, passed all laboratory tests. Ongoing SEC Registration
Total
3 projects
P1,680,000
Value Adding Project under ARCP2
18 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
2017 REPORT
Province
Project Title
Project Cost
Status
Zamboanga del Norte
Goat Raising and Marketing: SMARBEMCO Leon Postigo ZN Resettlement Cluster
P558,000
On-going 186 heads delivered to ARBO
Zamboanga del Sur
Aqua Silvi Development and Enhanced Technology on Lapu-Lapu Culture: KKSCB Vicenzo Sagun, Baganian Peninsula ARC Cluster
P912,500
On-going production
Zamboanga Sibugay
Productivity Improvement for Rubber (6 municipalities) SALIPYASIN ARC Cluster Hog Raising & Meat Processing Azusano IA, Titay
P500,000 P105,000
On-going, materials & equipments for nursery establishment distributed to 6 municipalities
Total
4 projects
P2,075,500
ARC Cluster Project
1.2 Project ConVERGE Another foreign-assisted project is the Project ConVERGE (Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment). DAR embarked on this project in 2016 together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This year, it expands its implementation in its four major components, namely: Participatory Value Chain Analysis & Planning (PVCAP), Integrated Small holders Agricultural and Rural Enterprise Development (I-SHARED), Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) Services and the Project Management (PM). Under PVCAP, both the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay has identified rubber as their major crop, while Zamboanga del Sur determined rice as their focus for the project. The feasibility study for each major crop was also finalized this year from which the secondary crops were also named. Consequently, the secondary crops are cacao (Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay) and corn (Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay). Still under PVCAP, the procurement process for major Value Chain Equipment has also commenced in 2017. Major procurement includes multipass milling equipment, delivery and hauling trucks, combined harvester and thresher, among
others. The total amount of which is Php28.35 million. Meanwhile, agricultural inputs (seedlings, fertilizers and pesticides) for both consolidator and integrator cooperatives also went through the procurement process in 2017. The funding for agri-inputs total to Php 49.12 million. A subcomponent under PVCAP also focuses on the Gender and Institutional Development (GID), which includes the following accomplishments: ARBO
assessment for the ARC Enterprise, creation of modules on capacity building and mentoring Value Chain, and the conduct of various trainings and capacity enhancement for covered ARBOs. Meanwhile, the I-SHARED component, where the construction of rural infrastructure is part of, has commenced four subprojects for 2017. Table 16 summarizes the on-going RI subprojects for under the 2017 budget.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 19
2017 REPORT
The LTI Services component has also reported a significant number of re-documented and distributed hectares, with a total of 2,164 hectares for the project amounting to P23.8 million distributed to the three provinces as shown. Target
Rural Infrastructure SubProject Title
Area
Rehab/Extension of 94 has. Tagolalo Communal Irrigation System (CIS)
Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur
Concreting of 1 km FMR from Portion of Large Production Area to MAFAMCO Warehouse
Mahayag, Zamboang del Sur
1 km.
P6,818,181.82
Rehab/Concreting of 2.16 km Gabunon to Alang-Alang FMR
Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur
2.16 kms.
P26,285,624.60
Rehab/Concreting of 5.57 km Poblacion-Baluno FMR Section
Godod, Zamboanga del Norte
5.57 kms.
P32,450,744.48
Physical
Financial
94.00 has.
P16,671,703.58
On-going RI subprojects under the Project ConVERGE 2017 Budget
Resettlement ARC Cluster Zamboanga del Norte 464 has. redocumented/ distributed 5.09 million funds utilized SALUG ARC Cluster Zamboanga del Sur 260 has. redocumented/ distributed 3.19 million funds utilized Resettlement ARC Cluster Zamboanga Sibugay 1,440 has. redocumented/ distributed 15.52 million funds utilized I-SHARED Component under Project ConVERGE
Locally-Funded Projects In close coordination and collaboration with the LGUs and Line Agencies (LAs), the DAR gave priority funding assistance in the provision of support infrastructure facilities/systems for the opening of new idle lands to be developed into agribusiness lands and rural enterprises.
20 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
2017 REPORT
2.1 PAMANA-ARA The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) “Peaceful and Resilient Communities” is the Philippine Government’s peace and development framework that aims to respond and strengthen peace-building, reconstruction and development in conflict affected areas (CAAs), in line with the government’s goal of putting a permanent and just closure to internal armed conflicts. It provides micro-level interventions to promote convergent delivery of services designed to implement Pillar 2 of the PAMANA program framework.
The delivery of services and goods is focused on households and communities by national, regional and local agencies/ units done through community-driven development (CDD) projects, as well as access to and utilization of the Peacebuilding Fund (PDF) for peace promoting projects, using the CDD approach. The program is implemented in three phases and covers six municipalities in the province of Zamboanga del Sur namely; San Pablo, Dimataling, Dinas, Tabina, Aurora and Labangan and the municipality of Talusan, in the province
of Zamboanga Sibugay which started in CY 2013. It is implemented in all barangays of the covered municipalities. The 1st and 2nd Phase implementation of sub-projects is already completed and turned-over for the two mentioned provinces. The 3rd Phase funding was transferred to the Department of Agriculture in CY 2015 but project implementation was still undertaken by DAR through a Memorandum of Agreement.
projects that they believe will be beneficial for their own communities particularly in terms of poverty reduction. The DAR implemented a total of 22 projects in the three provinces of which one project was implemented in 2013 in Zamboanga del Sur and 21 projects implemented in 2014 in the provinces
of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Isabela City. Of this 22 projects implemented in 2013 and 2014 , there were 19 projects completed and turned-over to the LGUs. Three projects in Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte are still on going up to the present.
2.2 BUB The implementation of Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) is part of the government’s effort to pursue a sustained and inclusive growth at the same time, promote good governance at the local level. A reform measure that aims to make the national budget a participatory process wherein the residents are involved in identifying
2.3 ARCCESS The Agrarian Reform Community and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) program was created to deliver support services to agrarian reform areas to alleviate rural poverty reduction and improve the life of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). The delivery of the services is channeled through mature ARB organizations to capacitate them to manage the agri-entreprise, their production, postharvest and processing needs of their individual members to increase their farm produce and given sufficient income. The ARCCESS provides strategic and sustainable support services in the form of the provision of common service facilities (CSFs), agri-extension services and business development services in order to maximize the productivity of the ARBs and engage them in agri-related enterprises. The three provinces of Region have access on the provision of Common Service Facilities (CSF), BDS & AES. Although the previous years the selected ARBOs across the three provinces were already provided with 52 units of common service facilities from Combine Harvester, Flatbed Dryer, Mechanical Transplanter, Hand Tractor, 4WD TRACTOR 35HP with mounted Disc Plow Harrow & Trailer. As of the year 2017, an additional of 15 units of CSF were distributed to 14 ARBOs in two provinces of Zamboanga del Sur & Zamboanga del Norte.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 21
2017 REPORT
Convergence Initiatives 3.1 National Convergence Initiative - NCI DAR-DA-DENR
This is a program strategy adopted by the three rural agencies to complement, collaborate and coordinate programs and projects as an initiative in maximizing government interventions in the countryside. Under the CI, agribusiness potentials in
the ARC Clusters shall be identified and developed. This is institutionalized at the national, regional and provincial, municipal levels with primacy of the LGUs’ role in the development of agribusiness in the rural area.
For the year, the municipality of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte is the LGU identified to be the convergence area. All projects and programs of the three agencies are implemented in these convergence area.
3.2 DAR-DSWD-DA Convergence
Another Convergence Initiative forged is between DAR-DSWD-DA with focused project of Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP). This is a convergence effort of the three agencies to address the key challenge of Hunger Mitigation, Food and Security and Poverty Reduction which is patterned after Brazil’s Zero-Hunger Plan and Food Purchase Program aimed at providing agricultural extension services linked to the nutrition needs of the feeding program and logistics management related to production, delivery and storage of required food items.
3.3 DAR-CDA Partnership II The DAR-CDA Partnership II is the second phase of partnership between the two agencies where they entered into a Memorandum of Agreement last July 2017 whose implementation covers only for I year. The said partnership ensures a Sustainable Operation of Registered Agrarian Reform Cooperatives that are located in the Agrarian Reform Communities of the DAR.
The Project seeks to develop functional ARCs managing profitable and sustainable enterprises in order to better serve its members and contribute in improving the quality of life of ARBs, their households and rural women. Its Components include: Audit subsidy, Technical assistance for rehabilitation and re-registration of cooperatives, Meetings/ conferences with partner cooperatives,
and Process documentation (Final report, caselettes and video documentation). As of the year-end, the accomplishment of the Partnership project involves only on provision of technical assistance, meetings and conferences with the identified ARBOs covered by the Partnership Project, as the one-year program will end by July 2018.
Asenso ang Bayan sa P14.5 M DAR – ARISP Project
B
arangay Damit, San 3D Agrarian Reform Community in Bayog, Zamboanga Del Sur, is the lone Region IX recipient of the P14.5 million worth of sub projects under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project Phase 3 (ARISP3) which is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In the barangay is the Damit Multi – Purpose Cooperative or DMPC, a DAR - ARISP3 assisted and a 1994 Cooperative Development Authority registered cooperative. DMPC began with 35 members. Now, it has ballooned to 252 regular members with 52 agrarian reform beneficiaries. Its initial capital build up of P10,000 skyrocketed to P693,000 as of December 2017. The cooperative also lends P5,000 per member at 10% interest per cropping for production expense. It has
a standing fund of P586 thousand for lending. In 2017, the cooperative had P5 million total assets and a net surplus of P150,000. The Damit MPC was a recipient of an ARISP 3 completed 3.54 million warehouse and solar dryer post-harvest facilities. A thresher, tractor and 2 collapsible dryers were also granted to the cooperative by the DAR ARISP 3. In 2010, the Damit Water System Association or DAWASA was organized and registered. Before receiving their Potable Water System project, the residents had difficulty fetching water as there was no definite time when the water flows. Many people lined up, waiting for their turns to fetch water. At times, water was only available at night or at dawn and for only an hour. Heated arguments transpired and relationships were strained due to this water problem. Also, some kids often bathed and fetched
water in the river. With this, drowning was reported annually. In 2013, DAR – JICA – ARISP 3 blessed DAWASA with a - P3.17 Million worth of a Level II – water system with a 20 cubic meter capacity reservoir and 39 tap stands supplying potable water to 104 households. Last 2016, DAWASA appropriated P70,000 for an additional 12 – cubic meter capacity reservoir increasing its tap stands by 49 units. Now its 88 tap stands provides water to a total of 227 households, classrooms and offices in Bayog. At the end of 2017, DAWASA garnered P3 million total assets and a net surplus of only P11,000 since DAWASA completed from their income its office building worth P90,000. The association maintains P130,000 regular savings and P117,000 time deposit in TIMMUL Cooperative in Bayog.
24 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
DAR - ARISP3 – JICA also completed a .7 km. graveled road and a 1 km. concreted farm-to-market road costing P7.8 million. Before the completion of the projects, the people found difficulty passing by the muddy road with vehicles stuck and hardly penetrating the fields. Laborers also spent an hour or more in ferrying their palay as the road then was circuitous. Fifty pesos was paid per sack of palay carried by laborers to the highway. The grains that fell in the muddy terrains were unrecovered. With the construction of the farm-to-market road, direct access and transporting their produce is easier and travel time reduced to 5-10 minutes. Labor cost went down as only P2 is charged in hauling a sack of rice. As sacks are promptly disposed, moisture is prevented reaping higher prices. Also, more children attended school; more parents were prodded to visit the health center; and more people became active in attending activities in the barangay hall. DAR – ARISP 3’s P14.5 million worth of farm-to-market road, potable water system and PHFs benefit the 1,925 Barangay Damit populace, its 385 households and 50 agrarian reform beneficiaries. All these ARISP III projects and the various expansions that the ARBOs made, generated local employment, adding to the incomes of the rural folks. Another project under ARISP3 in Bayog was the Organic Vegetable Production which started last 2014. Using vermi casts, the vegetable growers planted and harvested eggplants, pechay, tomatoes, lady fingers, beans, bitter gourd, squash, sweet pepper, sweet potato, bottle gourd, sponge gourd and mustard. This generated a net income of P4,700 under Phase I; P5,450 under Phase II and P10,842 under Phase III. Now, the residents are into backyard gardening. DAR IX RD Julita Ragandang and other regional and provincial officials are proud that the Damit, Bayog, ZDS ARBs moved on expanding, improving and trekking miles ahead from the P 14.5 million – granted ARISP3 projects, and are now enhancing their lives, proving indeed that ‘Asenso ang Bayan’ ng Damit, Bayog thru DAR – ARISP3.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 25
For Edal, hope still flickers
T
hese dark memories are deeply etched in her mind: The gnawing pain of hunger, old and tattered dresses, the small shanty that served as their home, and most of all, the deaths of five of her nine children to poor nutrition and her inability to provide them adequate medical care. Edralina C. Sumabad, 49, of Barangay Sitog, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, made this experiences as her inspiration to achieve the success she is enjoying today. Edal, as known to her peers, recalled that when she and her husband Rolly, 59, a retired Army, were married in 1988, dark days loomed over them. They cultivated an idle and barren land as their main source of income while her husband, a carpenter, was idle. “We were so poor that when I was pregnant I couldn’t buy healthy
26 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report expertly cooked, “ she said. Despite their condition, she still continued her study – she was a Junior student of BS Education at Saint Vincent’s College in Dipolog City when she married Rolly–convinced that education is the greatest tool to combat poverty; even if it was very difficult for her because she had to divide her time between family, livelihood and studies. Edal’s life slowly turned around in 1994 when she was awarded with three hectare agricultural land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Along with other agrarian reform beneficiaries, Edal attended various trainings conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to help them improve farm productivity by adopting modern farm technologies. “Having a larger land to farm combined with the knowledge I learned from various trainings, my harvest from corn, fruits and vegetable farming produced ten times more than what I used to earn,” she said. Edal and her husband share the workload with their children, who at a young age, are matured enough to know that their parents need their help. They attend to their cattle, which was a key addition to their farm, cut the weeds and even sell their produces. Her access to DAR’s Western Mindanao Community Initiatives Project, which includes multi-purpose building and farmer center greatly helped in selling their products in their community. The rehabilitation of the farm-to-market roads, on the other hand, enable her to market their products easily to nearby towns. A few more years since they owned the land, Edal’s life geared toward the right direction. By this time she already finished college and worked as a contractual employee under the local government of Katipunan assigned at DAR for 15 years. foods and things needed by expectant mothers. “ “They said that my children have congenital diseases because when I was pregnant with them I didn’t receive any medical check-up and I had no time to rest working hard in the farm. They didn’t reach the age of one-year old because of malnutrition and when they were sick, instead of seeing doctors, we ran to albularyos, “ Edal said. She said that their regular earnings from their poor yields of corn, seasonal fruits and vegetables was only P250 a month, which was bigger than what her husband earned. “We tried so hard to make both ends meet that we hardly sustained our daily needs. We couldn’t afford to buy new clothes or fix our shanty. I vividly remember the time when all we ate was “ kubong “ , a root crop not suited for human consumption unless
While working in the government, she was still able to work on her farm where she earned at least P15,000 monthly. “Education made my character stronger. Nowadays, neighbors ask for my advice on everything, most especially on farm cultivation practices and on how to produce high yield crops; when there are available seeds I also give them for the improvement of their farms.” she said. Edal said that her tragic experiences drove her to be involved in community services to help her poor neighbors in need. With her dedication to her people she served as the Barangay Captain for 13 years in their community. Her wisdom and insights, gained as a community leader, led her to become a Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) Chairman for three years and is presently an active member of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOMM). Today, the shanty is now a concrete house complemented by household appliances and equipment such as refrigerator, rice cooker, television, electric fans, desktop computers, and even complete carpentry tools. She also has mini-store, fish pond and pig pens within the premises of the house. From her savings from the farm and livestock income, she was able to buy a motorcycle as their family’s service vehicle. Her eldest son, Rolly Jr., 25, is now a policeman assigned at Tanay, Rizal. She said his son confided to her that his drive to succeed and to help them financially was the driving force to finish his degree in criminology. His son also maintains a photo processing business in Manila. Her other three children, Joanna Mae, 12; Mark Justine, 8; and Edraline, 6 are currently enrolled in Sitog Elementary School. Surely Edal’s journey in dark and uncertain tunnel has ended for she is now enjoying success, she would call the “light”.
DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 27
GARBEMCO: An epitome of a prosperous journey
T
he sweetest victory is one that is achieved through perseverance, patience and unity. The Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO) is an Agrarian Reform Cooperative located at Goodyear, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. It is a rubber plantationbased cooperative organized sometime in 1992 and registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in the following year. Of its 1,016 hectares total land area, 998 hectares of which are devoted to agricultural production and are planted mainly with rubber trees. Prior to the establishment of GARBEMCO, the rubber plantation was owned by the Philippine Rubber Project Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Goodyear International Corporation based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The plantation was taken by the government through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the basis of Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) in 1992. The plantation was turned over to the 312 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). Three years before the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), there were already problems in the management itself one of which is the PRPC Management’s application of yield stimulation chemicals to the rubber trees as final exploitation to maximize
production. In other words, before the land was turned over to DAR, the rubber trees were already senile and unproductive, thus needing replanting. Hence, before DAR took over in the subject property, the former workers who later on became ARBs were confronted with the following problems: • The plantation needed massive replanting to replace the senile trees;
• The well-known Goodyear Rubber Technology was not documented and preserved for future use; • The workers were only made to focus on their respective work assignments; • There was no tangible proof that beyond retirement or separation, the workers will become part owners of the land they till; • There was no training available for the benefit of the workers to uplift their knowledge on rubber production, empowerment and democratic participation in governance; • The workers were not able to protest against the discreet over exploitation on the rubber trees prior to their take over. In the early 1990s, the DAR personnel together with the Land Reform Desk of the National Federation of Labor (formerly NFL Labor Union) started to visit the plantation to organize the workers in connection with CARP. At the start, more than 50% of the 312 workers were hesitant to register as CARP beneficiaries mainly because of the known failure of the previous agrarian reform projects. The other negative reason was the exclusion of the management personnel from being considered as among the prospective farmerbeneficiaries. But the trend was changed when the former management personnel were listed as qualified to become ARBs. As the registrants increased day by day, the Interim Officers of GARBEMCO were elected. Their constraints were however
28 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
answered through the interventions made by DAR and other line agencies wherein trainings, seminars and other capacity-building services have been established to the ARBs/ farmworkers. The DAR intervened through the introduction of the CARP in the area. The coverage was well documented and there came an assurance that the rubber plantation and the cooperative itself will be preserved for future use. Apart from that, the farmerbeneficiaries were assured that after or even before their retirement or separation, the land they till and cultivate will become their property as long as the amortization is fully paid before the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) On November 1, 1992, the first set of Board of Directors (BOD) of GARBEMCO were elected in preparation for the takeover of PRPC plantation as the former management already gave notice to cease operations allegedly due to financial losses. Most of the management personnel of PRPC were among those selected as members of the BOD. The cooperative was then registered at CDA-Pagadian City on March 25, 1993 with Registration No. PAG-240-93. To the surprise of many workers, the NFL personnel unceremoniously convinced them to delay the takeover because accordingly, they are not yet capable of managing the operation of the plantation by themselves. There was that aura of doubt and a question cropped up about the intention and sincerity of the NFL personnel as they left GARBEMCO at the time when their support was needed most. In the early months when the going was so rough, the DAR, being the lead agency for CARP implementation, was tasked to save GARBEMCO from their untimely abortion. For that action alone,
GARBEMCO wholeheartedly thanked DAR for saving their grace. Early in 1994, a loan of 9 million pesos was granted to GARBEMCO from the Countryside Financing Scheme of DAR-LBP. Another loan amounting to 1.2 million pesos was approved from the DAR- Direct Lending Financing Program. In 1997, the LBP in coordination with the DAR Credit Assistance Program under the Program Beneficiaries Development Window 2 granted a loan amounting to 30 million pesos to GARBEMCO to support the beneficiaries in their replanting operations. Because of the fund assistance, the cooperative was able to replant the 367-hectare area out with rubber. While waiting for the production period of the rubber which is usually six (6) years from the time of planting, the farmers innovated the intercropping which is typically done by way of planting gestating crops for their subsistence. In 2000, through the encouragement of the LBP, GARBEMCO introduced additional service like the Members Savings Operation (MSO) to help those members who are in need by financial lending services with minimal interest. GARBEMCO has also opened a commissary store to cater the basic goods needed by members and workers. Everything was in smooth sailing until in 2006 and 2007 when GARBEMCO failed to pay its financial obligation with LBP. It was then discovered that the cooperative was in a huge deficit status. During that time, the General Manager left his post and was at large. It was then learned that there was no proper reporting on the cash flow. As a result, the workers were not able to receive their salaries in a span of 1 year. It was one of the darkest
moments of GARBEMCO as it experienced hardships due to tremendous debts with the bank. However, the DAR remained positive and continued to aid the cooperative. In 2008, GARBEMCO tried to make a remarkable decision by reorganizing its BOD and getting a new Manager. Learning from their previous mistakes the new management of the cooperative used the small capital that was left and continued operations. Luckily, the buying price of rubber during that time was at its highest at 120 per kilo which helped them pay its bank obligations bit by bit. Through the continuous support and supervision of the DAR in cooperation with the LBP, GARBEMCO was able to sustain, expand and improve their services up to the present. Aside from rubber, the cooperative is now also into Abaca, fish and rice productions. Presently, it has Capital Build-Up of 5 million pesos. Aside from providing services to its members and planning to extend the same services to non-ARBs, GARBEMCO has also provided the following benefits and privileges to its members: • Free housing; • Free Level II potable water system; • Free standing light per household; • Free marketing truck weekly to transport to and from Ipil Market; • Free transportation for students to and from Kabasalan National High School; • Christmas bonus at the end of the year; • Free hospitalization to workers and their dependents at Pathfinder Hospital, Goodyear, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; • Free transport of seriously illed/injured patients to Zamboanga City; • 15 days’ vacation leave and 15 days’ sick leave for workers;
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• 5 days’ maternity leave and 3 days’ paternity leave; • Donated 2 hectares for the site of the elementary school. Today, GARBEMCO is in the state of reaping the fruits of its sacrifices. To enumerate, GARBEMCO received the following awards and citations from government agencies and private organizations: Regional Outstanding Small Farmer Organization in 2008 by DA; Outstanding Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative during the 2012 Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatibe (Gawad PITAK) by LBP; national nominee during the CDA Gawad Parangal 2014; commendation as the only rubber-based cooperative in the region implementing the Ten Dimensions of the Family Welfare Program by DOLE; Top 70 Organization based on the 2016 ITEMA by DAR; Most Outstanding Community Enterprises by the Villar Sipag Awards on Poverty Reduction Challenge; Top Regional Performer for FY 2016 in the areas of employment facilitation and enhancement, thereby qualifying to vie for the 2016 National Best PESO Award; 2017 Gawad Saka Search Regional Outstanding Small Farmer/ Fisherfolk Organization by DA; CDA commendation for having participated in the CDA Gawad Parangal 2017 and for being an awardee as the Regional Most Outstanding Cooperative under the Medium Cooperative Category; the organization with Best Business Improvement Plan Award from DAR and Go Negosyo, and Most Outstanding
ARB Organization in Mindanao Island Group by DAR Central Office and Regional Office IX. GARBEMCO now has an asset of more than P213 million pesos. Aside from rubber production, the cooperative is also deriving income from its other business like rice production, fishpond, lending, abaca handicraft and fruits like durian, rambutan and lanzones. To sum it up, just like other organizations, GARBEMCO has encountered difficulties before it became what it is now. However, through its sustained collaborative effort with DAR and other government agencies, GARBEMCO was able to rise from its downfall. Aside from government interventions, one of the factors that lead to its survival is because of its innovations and initiatives. The said coop did not depend wholly on whatever assistance the government can extend to it. Instead, it introduces innovations which are beneficial not only for the internal operation of the cooperative but for the ARBs and their families as well. Notwithstanding the introduction of innovative changes in its daily operation as well as the initiatives it had instituted in addressing its problems, GARBEMCO remained an organization which is considerate and mindful to the demands of the families of the ARBs and to the community as a whole without affecting the customs and culture of the place of its operation. Since its creation up to this date, GARBEMCO’s operation and production is
good enough that can stabilize and sustain ARBs basic needs, provide jobs even to non-members and contribute to the country’s economy. GARBEMCO’s outstanding performance resulted to its guaranteed financial sustainability and profitability. The DAR is positive that GARBEMCO can maintain and carry on its feat in the coming years. On the part of DAR, its involvement plays a major role in the cooperative’s survival. The landholding that was awarded to GARBEMCO is a legacy and an instrument that uplifted the lives of the ARBs as well as the attainment of the cooperative’s much desired stability. The 312 ARBs of Barangay Goodyear are the living proof of DAR’s intervention in GARBEMCO’s journey because of the successful CARP coverage and land distribution in the area as well as the extension of support services to the said farmer-beneficiaries. After DAR’s intervention in GARBEMCO’s existence, the latter has become more effective, efficient, productive, profitable and organizationally matured especially in the realization of its objectives. Looking back on the mistakes of the past, GARBEMCO now choose to make wise decisions with enough confidence to succeed according to its vision, mission and goals. The challenging moments it went through will serve as lessons learned as it moves forward to become the best cooperative not only in the region but nationwide.
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DAR IX 2017 Annual Report • 31
Some three hundred women from Region 9, 10 and 13 gathered for Project ConVERGE’s Rural Women entrepreneurship Forum last November 27 in Zamboanga City. Leading the convocation of farmer-beneficiaries, coop leaders, and staff were Undersecretary Sylvia Mallari, with Regional Director Julita Ragandang and ARDO Agnes Y. Maata.
The planting of the first rubber seedlings in the Project ConVERGE pilot farms in Zamboanga del Norte were participated by the mission team of the International fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) last December 2017. In photos: (right) ARDO Agnes Y. Maata operating an auger; (left) IFAD country Programme Specialist Gomer Tumbali with the DAR and mission representatives speaking with the manager of the farm.
32 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
The unveiling of the 70-hectare Tagolalo Communal Irrigation system (CIS) in the Municipality of Aurora. In attendance were (right to left) ARDO Agnes Y. Maata, RD Julita Ragandang and National Project Director Faisa Mambuay, with other IFAD, DAR representatives.
A farmer in the PPRPC rubber processing facility in Zamboanga Sibugay.
As the lead ARBO for Zamboanga Sibugay in the implementation of Project ConVERGE, the IFAD Mission team and the DAR heads and staff visited GARBEMCO to check the state of the biggest rubber plantation in the province.
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Support To Operations Human Resource Development The sustained conduct of capability building programs for all personnel is necessary to enable DAR to develop a multi-skilled workforce able to tangible results on LTS, TASS and ALS, as well as develop new competencies to address new challenges that are expected to arise due to the evolving conditions in the ARCs and the complexities in LTS and other program components. For 2017, capability building programs for personnel belonging to different functional groupings, were conducted to effectively address specific gaps in competencies and improve organizational effectiveness. The trainings and orientations conducted benefited personnel performing supervisory, technical and clerical functions who attended the following: • Training on Effective Record Keeping and Management • Orientation on the Completion of Templates for FY 2017-2022 and Updating of GMIS • Reorientation on Recruitment, Selection Process and Procedures • Orientation-Workshop on the Defined Success Indicators-Automated IPCRs • Seminar-Workshop on the Preparation of PPMP and APP • Seminar on the Conduct of Records Management Audit • Training on Results Based Performance Management System • Orientation Workshop on eNGAS/eBudget System Implementation • Orientation on Health and Wellness Program
The conduct of periodic assessments and planning sessions is critical to effective program implementation. Through these activities, physical and financial targets are set for accomplishment under specific timeframes and monitoring of accomplishments is done to determine the progress of activities as well as address issues and concerns that affect the conduct of activities in the field. For the year in review, the Regional Office conducted the following:
• • • • • •
Regional and Provincial Assessments Planning Workshops and Conferences Management Committee Meetings Executive Committee and Staff Meetings Regional Workshop on the Preparation of FY 2018 Budget Proposal Review Session on the CY 2018 Budget Proposal
34 • DAR IX 2017 Annual Report
Public Relation Information, Social Marketing (PRISM) and Advocacy Public Information, Social marketing and Advocacy are the strategies employed by the Department to make the public aware about the activities and performance of DAR IX in implementing the program. These aim to increase the support base of the program through print and broadcast media. For 2017, DAR IX Public Information was geared towards heightening public awareness on the activities and gains of the agrarian reform program. Utilizing traditional media (print, radio, TV), social media, and inter-personal approach (lectures and events), the office came up with the following accomplishment: • Publication of the quarterly regional newsletter “ARC Chronicle” - produced four issues and released 2,000 copies which featured the activities and different projects of the department; • The regional and provincial information section released 43 press releases and 47 photo releases to different local dailies regionwide. These press releases covered DAR’s accomplishments, land distribution, launching and turn-over of various local and foreign assisted projects. Press releases are also being placed in other websites like pia.gov.ph and dar.gov.ph; • Inorder to make CARP known and supported by the public, several success stories of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and successful Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) were featured in newsletters, both local and national. Sixteen feature and success stories were published; • Advertorials were published or broadcasted at the local tri-media (TV, newspapers, radios) wherein 25 were published and two radio sponsorship were made with 84 airings;
• A total of 960 copies of different information materials such as Balitang DAR, HB 555 and calendars from PAMRSDARCO were received by the regional office. The different publications provide basic and substantial information on the implementation of the agrarian reform program and the department. These were distributed to the DAR provincial and municipal offices, line agencies, schools and walk-in clients regionwide; • One TV guesting was done. Issues and concerns raised were on land conversion and CARP coverage; • One hundred eleven photo/video coverages were made; • One Trade Fair showcasing the products of the various agrarian reform communities was conducted by Zamboanga del Norte; • Web management—the regional and provincial offices maintains a Facebook account where activities, events and other newsworthy articles are posted; • One press conference was conducted by Zamboanga del Norte; • Zamboanga Sibugay conducted one media coverage on ARC with 20 participants.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM REGION IX
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