Volume 17 No. 2
April - June 2019
2nd Quarter
DAR turns over P22.9-M worth of projects, distributes land titles
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ONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO improve the economic condition of farming communities in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay got a big boost as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over various infrastructure projects and support services worth P22.9 million. “This land is God-given! Continue on page 2
DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones awards a CLOA to a farmer-beneficiary as Undersecretaries Karlo Bello, Luscius uscius Junjun Malsi, DAR IX Regional Director Resty C. Osias, Assistant Director Joey Sumatra, Atty. Jason Collado and PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju look on.
National Quarterly Assessment and Monitoring Cum Cascading of DAR Laws and Policies THE DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform IX successfully hosted the conduct of the 2019 National Quarterly Assessment and Monitoring Cum Cascading of DAR Laws and Policies. The activity which was sponsored by the Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance (BALA) of the Department of Agrarian Reform was conduct-
ed from June 26-28 at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City. The BALA is tasked to ensure that agrarian justice is delivered efficiently in order to meet the strategic objectives to speed up the resolution of agrarian cases and to render legal assistance to farmers through judicial and quasi-judicial representation. The undertaking which was
in line with the DAR Secretary’s directive of zero backlog for both agrarian legal implementation and agrarian legal assistance cases focused on the assessment of the first semester accomplishment with the following specific objectives: 1. Formulation of catch-up plan if the particular regional Continue on page 6
DAR Assistant Secretary Jim Coleto talks about AO No. 2, series of 2019, Guidelines on the Parcelization of Landholdings with Collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards.
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DAR IX Holds Regional Mid-Year Assessment
DAR Regional Office IX headed by the hardworking Regional Director Resty C. Osias spearheads the conduct of a midyear assessment in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay to evaluate the performance and accomplishment of the three provincial offices in Western Mindanao for the 1st semester .
April - June 2019 THE DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform IX conducted the Regional Mid-Year Assessment from June 10-12 at Sibugay Grand Plaza in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay. The activity aims to measure what has been accomplished in terms of land acquisition and distribution and other programs vis-a-vis the regional target. The result of the assessment will guide the regional management on what has to be done to ensure the attaintment of the remaining target for the year. DAR IX targetted to distribute 902 hectares this year. Atty. Resty C. Osias, DAR IX Regional Director spearheaded the conduct of activity. With him was Atty. Ramon E. Madroñal, Asst. Director for Admininstration and Legal Service, and Engr. Agnes Y. Maata, Asst. Director for Operations and Support Services. Three provincial heads of Zamboanga Peninsula and selected DAR personnel also attended the assessment.
DAR turns over P22.9-M worth of projects, distributes land titles Continued from page 1 Praise Him, I now have something to leave my son and my grandchildren with,” said Marcelino Roda, 76, a coconut and vegetable farmer from Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte. Led by DAR Secretary John Castriciones, a total of 43 projects were turned over, all implemented under the various projects and programs of the DAR. The projects consist of post-harvest facilities, food processing centers, reservoirs, warehouses, potable water systems, and farm machines. “These projects are significant in achieving progress in rural communities. These facilities and farm machines were implemented not only to make life easier for our farmers, but
also to sustain the development of their communities,” Secretary Castriciones said. Most of these projects, especially the farm machines were turned over to agrarian cooperatives. Castriciones said more than 13,000 farmers and residents in the three provinces are now benefitting from these projects. Of these number, 5,396 are agrarian reform beneficiaries. In his speech, Castriciones urged the farmers to strengthen their farm cooperatives, a government prerequisite before any assistance is extended to them. “If you are not yet a member of a cooperative, I am encouraging you to be one because a lot of government support services are given through cooperatives
and farm associations,” said Castriciones. At the turn over, Castriciones also led the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to 991 agrarian beneficiaries covering 1,422 hectares of agricultural lands in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. Castriciones told the farmers during the ceremony that their CLOAs signify their “freedom from the bondage of tenancy.” “This is the day for us to be happy, because our farmer beneficiaries finally received their CLOAs that they have been wanting for a long time,” he said in Filipino. He also emphasized President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to strengthen the
government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). He said the President has finally signed Executive Order 75 ordering the DAR to acquire government-owned agricultural lands for eventual distribution to qualified beneficiaries. Under E.O. 75 signed by the President last February 15, all agencies were mandated to identify lands suitable for agriculture and submit a list of these lands to DAR, indicating the location and area of the said lands, actual use and a legal basis of ownership. “With this order from the President, more landless farmers will soon become landowners themselves,” Castriciones said.
April - June 2019
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Village folks in Roseller Lim benefit from rehabilitated farm-to-market road project Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Maata and Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Atty. Mohammad Dassan Adju led the ceremonial
ribbon-cutting and turn-over of the rehabilitated and concreted .64 km. Silingan farmto-market road project on June 14 in Roseller Lim town here.
Seminar Workshop in Bookkeeping and Records Management
DAR was assisted by Roseller Lim Mayor Michael Piodena in handing over the project to the barangay officials. The road rehabilitation and concreting project stretches from the national highway to the barangay proper in Silingan. According PARPO Adju, the project amounted ro P4.8 million and was sourced out from the DAR-IFAD funds with counterpart from LGURoseller T. Lim. The Silingan road project is the first infrastructure project in the province under Project ConVERGE, a value chain project of DAR which is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
During the program conducted, Director Maata commended the efforts of LGURoseller Lim and encouraged the project beneficiaries to preserve and maintain the project so it will also be enjoyed by the future generation. She said that DAR will continue to oversee the projects it awarded. Mayor Piodena expressed his gratitude to DAR saying that the infrastructure project will have greater positive impact to the people. Also present in the activity were Romy Maningas, Technical Consultant from DAR Central Office, CARPOs Anthony Teves and Floripes Lagutin, MARPO Charito Ramos and other municipal and barangay officials.
Participants from the different ARBOs in Zamboanga del Norte together with PARPO Arturo N. Soria ( 2nd from right, center) during their closing program.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through the Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement and Rural Growth (Project ConVERGE) conducted a threeday seminar workshop on Bookkeeping and Records Management last April 15-17 at JKC Royale Traders’ Inn in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte. The activity was participated by managers, treasurers and bookkeepers from the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) of
CATAMCO and CARBEMCO of Tampilisan; GUFAMUCO and MARBA of Godod; DARBECO of Salug and SMARBECO of Leon B. Postigo. The seminar enhanced the participant’s knowledge and skills in bookkeeping and records management. PARPO II Arturo N. Soria and Provincial Project Coordinator Engr Alfonso A. Tan spearheaded the activity and was facilitated by the Program Beneficiaries Development Division and Project ConVerge staff.
Roseller Lim Mayor Michael Piodena and DAR IX Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Maata cut the ceremonial ribbon of the rehabilitated FMR project in Roseller Lim. They are joined by other DAR and LGU officials and personnel.
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DAR-IFAD Project ConVERGE turns over Over the completed Rehab./Concreting of Silingan farm to market road in partnership with the Local Government Unit of R. T. Lim.
Consultation-workshop with the farmer-beneficiaries in Zamboanga Sibugay held yesterday in Ipil town regarding the implementation of Executive Order No. 75 and other important matters including the feedbacking on the status of CLOAs, 2018 ITEMA result and status of problematic landholdings. Undersecretary Atty. Karlo Bello graced the event who also shared inputs to the farmers and some update on the mandates of the present administration.
Distribution of land titles (CLOAs) to 991 agrarian reform beneficiaries of Zam organizations held last April 5 at Manuel Resort in PiĂąan, Zamboanga del No worth P22.9 million were also distributed to Agrarian Reform
DAR Undersecretary Atty. Karlo S. Bello visited the United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative by Regional Director Joseph Orilla of DAR XI; PARPOs Mohammad Dassan Adju and Suwaib Ismael of Basilan; Director Imeld
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boanga Peninsula and turn-over of projects to the agrarian reform beneficiaries orte with DAR Secretary Atty. John Castriciones. Farm trucks and machineries m Beneficiaries Organizations from the Zamboanga Peninsula.
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Orientation on listing and delisting of ARBs for agrarian plantation-based coops held at Cecile’s Hotel in Zamboanga City last May 16-17. Aimed at exposing the attendees on the issuances on listing and delisting and other relevant laws, the activity was participated by the BOD members and officials of United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
e in Isabela City in Basilan province and held a brief conference with cooperative officers and Board of Directors. He was joined da Gatinao of DOLE-Zamboanga Sibugay, and some division chiefs and personnel from DAR municipal and provincial offices.
Problem-solving session of the Agrarian Legal Services group purposely to discuss and iron out issues confronting them such as those problems on land transfer clearances and land use conversion, records management and others. Both Directors Atty. Resty Osias and Atty. Ramon Madroùal, Jr., gave emphasis on the importance of the legal sector’s role in the program implementation and the enhancement of the performance and skills of the legal personnel.
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April - June 2019
Project ‘ConVERGE’ in Zamboanga del Sur THE INTERNATIONAL FUND for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Philippine government - financed project called “ConVERGE” (Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment) is assisting agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) and the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, particularly in the Salug Valley Cluster Agrarian Reform Community (ARC). The intensified rice pro-
duction, milling and marketing project aims to provide an integrated and comprehensive intervention to the rice farmers and producers in the area through the use of value chain approach. Interventions may come in the form of facilities and equipment, capacity-building development, infrastructure projects and agricultural inputs, of which the repayment scheme shall form part of the seed capital to be accessed by some 4,000 members of the ARBOs. Since 2016, Project Con-
VERGE has provided a total of Php 40.6 million worth of investment for the recipient ARBOs in the Salug Valley Cluster ARC. This includes one unit Multi – Pass Rice Mill for MAFAMCO being the consolidator ARBO, and two Single Pass Rice Mills for the CIVCAVEFAMCO and GARBENCO, as integrator ARBOs, combine harvester and thresher, three moisture meters and 18 collapsible dryers, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other similar agricultural inputs. Concreting and rehabili-
National Quarterly Assessment and Monitoring Cum Cascading of DAR Laws and Policies Continued from page 1 and provincial Legal Office falls short of its projected goals; 2. Assessment of the individual performance of the legal officers through one-onone evaluation and assessment to ensure the improvement in their output; 3. Ensuring that the regional and provincial indicative plans and budget proposals are consistent with the Department’s thrusts and priorities; 4. Preparation of Office/ Individual Performance Commitment in line with the zer backlog directive of the Secretary; 5. Updating of the Legal Case Monitoring System in terms of capabilities and content; DAR IX Regional Director Atty. Resty C. Osias welcomed the participants, mostly lawyers and legal personnel from
Regions !, 9, 11, 12 and BARMM. He briefly presented the tourist spots in Zamboanga Peninsula and the delicious foods in the region. BALA Assistant Director Atty. Estrellita Briones discussed the rationale and objectives of the assessment. She was followed by Emmanuel Fallaria of Planning Service Division of DAR Central Office who talked on the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation System. Administrative Orders on referral of cases were tackled by Atty. Enrique Sumogba , Chief of the Agrarian Beneficiaries Legal Assistance. The last topic for the first day of the session was on Cancellation of Cases which was handled by Atty. Reparado Galos, Chief, Cancellation Division of DAR Central Office. An open forum followed all the discussions. The regional chiefs of legal the divisions from the five regions also re-
ported on the first semester accomplishment on delivery of agrarian justice. Atty. Marjorie P. Ayson, BALA Director critiqued the reports presented to firm up the data which was in preparation for the forthcoming DAR National Assessment to be held third week of July. On the second day, Assistant Secretary Jim Coleto lectured on the Guidelines on the Parcellation of Landholdings with Collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs), under Administrative Order No. 2 Series of 2019. Land Use Cases was discussed by Atty. Jan Carlo Magracia of the Land Use Cases Division of BALA. The third day was focused on planning and formulation of catch-up plans and enhancement of the Legal Cases Monitoring System. The sessions ended with the presentation of the catch-up plans of the regions, synthesis and agreements.
tation of two farm- to market roads (FMRs) in Mahayag and Tambulig, and a Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Aurora, have a total project cost of more than Php 18.2 million. These infrastructure support, when completed shall definitely ease the farming methods, increase ARBO production, and lead to greater access to market, thereby lowering transportation costs of farm produce. On the part of the ARBOs, the project has encouraged them to share an equity ranging from 12-20% of the cost, depending on the kind of project they will avail. With all these, the farmers are gaining leverage on their bargaining power as regard to their produce. Through Project ConVERGE and its technical assistance, ARBOs and ARBs alike have been empowered significantly. Members of organizations have openly acknowledged the benefits of the project, and how it was able to make their farming and earning a living a lot easier than before. DAR Zamboanga del Sur PARPO II Judith P. Mantos remarked that with less than three years before the term of Project ConVERGE ends, DAR being the implementing arm, in partnership with various stakeholders, can only hope for the better, if not the best in helping reduce the poverty incidence of the ARBs who were awarded with lands and other small holder farmers including the women and indigenous peoples in the covered areas by sustaining the gains of the agrarian reform program thru the provision of support services to the beneficiaries.
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The jubilant faces of the agrarian reform beneficiaries. With them are DAR officials headed by PARPO Arturo N. Soria and DAR XI Regional Director Joseph H. Orilla.
ARB Summit Cum Problem Solving Session THE DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform in Zamboanga del Norte headed by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Arturo N. Soria conducted the ARB Summit cum Problem Solving Session at Mibang Hotel, Sta. Felomina, Dipolog City. The activity aimed to hear, solicit and document any issues and concerns relevant to the status of the lands they tilled and even their tenurial rights and responsibilities after their installation. It also gave great opportunity for the farmers to reconnect and broaden their information of the different programs and services offered by DAR and other partner agencies to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and ARB Organizations (ARBOs). Gracing the event was Regional Director Joseph H. Orilla of DAR XI whose message gave emphasis on the mandate of the present administration to look on the plight
of the farmers who are considered as one of the pillars on the economic growth of the country especially on the agricultural sector. More than 200 people actively participated in the event to include ARBO leaders, agrarian reform
beneficiaries (EP/CLOA recipients), DAR officials and employees, and invited guests from line agencies particularly from Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Provincial Treasurer’s Office.
DAR reviews 2020 Budget Proposal THE DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform IX recently held a one-day Review Session for the 2020 Budget Proposal at the Grand Astoria Hotel in Zamboanga City. The activity was aimed at reviewing the proposed budget of the region for the year 2020. With the issuance of Executive Order No. 75 which directed the agency to cover all govern-
ment-owned lands, DAR will now have a bigger coverage for land acquisition and distribution. With the inclusion of government-owned lands, the DAR will be awarding more lands to beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Some 46 participants, composed of regional and provincial personnel, took part in the activity.
DAR IX Regional Director Resty C. Osias delivers his opening message at the DAR IX’s Review Session for 2020 Budget Proposal held in Zamboanga City.
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April - June 2019
DAR-Zamboanga del Sur Celebrates 31st CARP and 10th CARPER Anniversaries
Nursery and elementary pupils who are recipients of umbrellas and raincoats during the ‘Kumustahan with ARBs’ in the Agrarian Reform Communities.
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HE DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Zamboanga del Sur (DAR-ZDS) held a motorcade to kick-off the commemoration of the 31st year of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) otherwise known as RA 6657, and the 10th year of the CARP extension with Reforms (CARPeR) or RA 9700 on June 24. PARPO II Atty. Judith Patriar- First, to grant them ownership and ca–Mantos recalled that CARP was security of the lands they have been signed on June 10, 1988 as the cen- tilling for ages, under Land Tenure trepiece program of the Aquino Services; Second, improving their Administration, which lasted until productivity, raising their incomes, June 15, 1998. Congress then ap- uplifting their lives through the deproved RA 8532 to provide funds livery of sustainable, comprehenfor the program from 1998 to June sive and integrated support ser30, 2009 under former President vices; and Third, through Ramos. the delivery of fair and equitable In August 8, 2009, then Pres. agrarian legal services. Gloria Arroyo signed into law ReAmong those activities unpublic Act 9700 which extended dertaken by the DAR-ZDS, was the life of the program but with the Kumustahan with the ARBs in reforms. This law has become the agrarian reform communities popularly known as the CARPER on June 25 and 26, where umbrelwhich aims to uproot the agrar- las and raincoats were provided ian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to nursery and elementary pupils from the bondage of the land and in the two identified elementary from the clutches of dire pover- schools for District 1 and District ty through its three components: 2, the Maraya Elementary School
in Vincenzo Sagun and Lower Tiparak Elementary School in Tambulig, respectively. Feeding and fun games were also facilitated to make the activity more significant and memorable especially to the almost 500 children. Symposia for the agrarian reform beneficiatris were conducted in two identified sites. Since Brgy. Maraya in V. Sagun is primarily a coco area, a ceremonial planting of coco seedlings was done together with Mayor Merlinda Maata and the rest of the barangay officials and the ARBs present. Teachers and staff of both schools also get to share in the distributed items since they also were given record books, presentation materials, chalks and other necessary items for their teaching and mentoring tasks. Used but usable items were also provided to parents and ARBs present. To forge camaraderie among employees, the management and the DAREA sponsored fun games and sports festival for volleyball, basketball and badminton on June 27. The celebration culminated with an Employee’s Solidarity Night held on June 28. Throughout the entire duration of this year’s commemoration, PARPO Mantos sadi she was pleased that DAR–ZDS personnel are doing their best to cooperate and show support to the management especially in terms of implementing its thrusts and mandates, and prioritizing programs to serve
2nd Quarter
EDITORIAL STAFF Editors-in-Chief
GLORIA M. SARACHO MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZA
Contributing Editors CHARMA TINAAN JOHN LLOYD CABABAT KATRIN ANNE A. ARCALA LAILANIE VIC S. VALDEZ
Editorial Consultants RESTY C. OSIAS, LL.M., CESO IV Regional Director ATTY. RAMON E. MADROÑAL, JR. ARD for ADMIN. & Legal Services ENGR. AGNES Y. MAATA, CESO IV ARD for LTS/TASS For inquiries, please write or call the DAR Regional Office IX, Veterans Avenue Extension, Zamboanga Telephone No. (062) 955-2155 Email add: dar_reg9@yahoo.com.ph
its clientele better and more efficiently. She has but good words only, for the members of her management team, the Adjudication Board, the MARPOs and their staff, the DAREA and the employees’ cooperative PAREMCO, which collectively shared and made the many events hugely a success.