Volume 17 No. 4
October - December 2019
4th Quarter
DAR IX hosts 2019 National Conference of PARCCOM Chairpersons
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he Department of Agrarian Reform Region IX hosted this year’s national conference of Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM). The annual event was held at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City on October 15-18, 2019. The conference aimed to orient the chairpersons of PARCCOM on the latest and revised guidelines, as well as, apprise them on the status of the agrarian reform program implementation and present Continue on page 3
The participants of the 2019 National Conference of PARCCOM Chairpersons
DAR Turns Over P6.7 Million Worth Projects, Farm Machineries To ARBs T boost the farmers’ livelihood, To the Department of Agrarian Reth form turned over P6.71 million worth of machineries and projects to 16 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) of Zamboanga Del Sur. The ceremonial turnover was conducted in the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur on December 20, Usec. Atty. Emily O. Padilla (right) 2019. The one-time big turn over during the ceremonial turn-over of event was to take advantage of the presence of Undersecretary the projects and machineries
for the Support Services Office (SSO), Atty. Emily O. Padilla. Ten livelihood kits from DAR’s partnership with the Abotoiz-Pilmico Group composed of piglets, egg machines and bakery kits along with a P80,000 worth of hog raising livelihood projects courtesy of the Community-Managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project of DAR were distributed among recipient beneficiaries in the province.
In addition, 2 units of hauling trucks and 1 unit mini excavator worth P 3.72 million under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project of DAR, a P1.3 million worth of combine harvester and thresher under their Project ConVERGE along with two water tank collectors and a bongo truck from CPWASH project were among the machineries turned over. Continue on page 5
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EP Land recipient yields success
October - December 2019
‘Recipient of Emancipation Patent Land, Bienvenido Castro, reaps fruit of labor’ Born in a poverty-stricken family, it was quite a hard life for Bienvenido Castro. Having been deprived of opportunities, he was only able to finish is elementary grades. After marrying his wife Milagros, they started their own family and lived a simple life where they only had a small Nipa hut to call their
home in Molave, Zamboanga Del Sur. Blessed with 4 children, they however have to work relentlessly to sustain their family needs. “Life before was never easy. We labored hard for them to live different lives from us” Bienvenido said. To fund their children’s education, they raised ducks and accumulated eggs to sell and even tilled their neighbor’s farm on some occasions for extra income. They also owned a 0.60 hectare land on which they farm. “We vowed to really send them to school and looked forward to their triumphs and successes,” he added. Soon afterwards, Bienvenido became a recipient of a rice land under the Operation Land Transfer (OLT) program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Molave, Zamboanga Del Sur. Through the issuance of the EmanMr. Bienvenido Castro receiving the Rice Achiever cipation Patent in award with P500,000 cash prize from DA for and in 1987, he was able to behalf of the Molave - Mahayag (MOLMA) Irriga- expand his farmland tion Association of which he is the president. to 2 hectares which
significantly increased their farm productivity. Then before long, their children finished their studies each becoming successful in their own careers. Their eldest, a holder of a Master’s degree in Business Administration, is employed in the Molave MLGU Office. The 2nd, also with the same master’s degree, is the Manager of the Molave Lorenzo Tan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LTMPC). The 3rd is an accountancy graduate and devotes her time managing their owned boarding house in Ozamis; the 4th is a policeman; the 5th, a seaman, and the youngest is a teacher in Ozamis City. Throughout the years, Bienvenido and Milagros were able to purchase 2 additional hectares of land, a thresher and 3 mud boats. They are now managing 4 hectares of rice field to date reaping an estimate of P360, 000.00 net income annually. Bienvenido was the rank 1 kagawad for three terms in Barangay Culo from 1994 to 2005. Currently, he is the vice president of the Culo Farmers Credit Cooperative and the president of the Molave–Mahayag Irrigators Association since 2016. In 2017, he represented the irrigators association to receive the National Rice Achiever Award with a half a Million prize from the Department of Agriculture in
Bienvenido Castro and wife, Milagros pose in the ongoing construction of their new and modern home.
Quezon City and the Most Outstanding Irrigation Association award with a P50, 000.00 cash prize from the National Irrigation Administration. Indeed, gone were the days when life was rough to Mr. and Mrs. Castro as they are now reaping their fruits of labor through the land given by the Department of Agrarian Reform. They are now currently constructing their new modern home with several motor vehicles to their name and cash savings in the LTMPC, in Culo Farmers Credit Cooperative and in the Landbank of the Philippines.
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DAR IX hosts 2019 National Conference of PARCCOM Chairpersons Continued from page 1 the proposed 2020 budget for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Legal Affairs Office Undersecretary and PARC Council Secretary Luis Meinrado Pangulayan said that the event plays a significant role in accomplishing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s marching orders for the DAR. “Our President has ordered us to finish the DAR’s land acquisition and distribution balance by 2022, distribute all government-owned lands through CARP and parcel the collective certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to our farmer-beneficiaries,” Pangulayan said. The CARP’s main goal is to distribute public and private agricultur-
al lands to help beneficiaries survive as small independent farmers. He also added that the PARCCOM, being the provincial counterpart of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC), should help in monitoring the farmers’ conditions in their respective provinces, implement programs that need priority in their areas, and report to the PARC activities that would help in formulating policies and strategies for the effective implementation of the agrarian reform program. Pangulayan enthused the committee with the assurance that the current administration will continue their efforts in promoting the welfare of Filipino farmers. The conference was at-
tended by 76 PARCCOM chairpersons nationwide including representatives from various sectors such as landowners, farmer-beneficiaries, farmer organizations, cooperatives, indigenous people, and non-governmental organizations.
Legal Affairs Office Un d e r s e c r e t a r y and PARC Council Secretary Luis Meinrado Pangulayan delivers his speech during the conference
DAR Links Farmers to Markets in Region X
The Sibugay farmers during their visit at the copra processing plant of Granex Manufacturing Corporation in Kiwalan, Iligan City.
The Department of Agrarian Reform brought twelve (12) coconut and cacao farmers from 2 cooperatives in Zamboanga Sibugay to copra and tablea processing facilities in Region 10 on Novem-
ber 4-5, 2019. Provincial Agrarian Reform Chief Mohamad Dassan Adju said that the 2-day market exploration will allow the farmers to explore possible markets for their copra products and draw out les-
sons from the processing facilities of copra and tablea of the region. Carol Maruhomadil, DAR’s provincial marketing assistance officer, said that the market exploration is under the agency’s Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets (LinkSFarM) program while the learning exposure was undertaken under the Village-Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project. Both LinkSFarm and VLFED are nationwide programs of the department aimed at empowering farmers into becoming agro-entrepreneurs The team likewise visited the Granexport Copra Milling plant in Kiwalan, Iligan City and two tablea processing plants in Camiguin: the Sabroso Tsokolate and Camiguin Chocolates manufacturing plants. In addition, DAR also brought
the farmers to Nagpakabana Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Agoho Multi-Purpose Cooperative which are both abaca producers in Camiguin. Their final sojourn was in a cacao farm owned by a certain Mario Paderanga in Mahinog Town. Participants of the joint market exploration are farmer-leaders of Nanan Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Upper Sumilong Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. Other key officials and personnel involved in the activity are support services chief Anthony Teves, LinkSFarm Coordinator Engr. Gina Calunsag, ARPO II Banjo Madrio, Payao MARPO Janeth Aranas, DOST-Camiguin Provincial Director Miriam de la Plaza and some staff of DAR Camiguin.
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Agrarian Reform Chronicles
The Multi-Pass rice milling facility that was turned over to MAFAMCO
October - December 2019
Laying of capsule of the 2.16 km Farm-to-Market Road
SIS Mission Team Visits DAR’s Project ConVERGE riences from the beneficiaries which will serve as guide for more support towards the attainment of the project’s objectives. Aside from holding focus group discussions among beneficiaries, the team initiated dialogue and feed backing with various stakeholders to generate outputs and outcomes of the project. Alongside with the visit was Field Visit and Open Forum Conducted with CATAMCO and other ARBOs the groundbreaking ceremony at Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte of a P25 million worth farm to A team of evaluators from the Cluster rubber production and market road (FRM) which covInternational Fund for Agri- trading in Cabong, Tampil- ers 2.16 kilometers in barangay and cultural Development (IFAD) isan, Zamboanga del Norte on Gabunon-Alang-Alang, and the National Economic November 19 and the Salug Val- the turning-over of the P3.99 and Development Authority ley Cluster in Zamboanga del million Multi-Pass Rice Milling (NEDA) conducted a three- Sur on November 20-21. The (MPRM) facility to Mahayag day Supervision and Imple- visits are crucial for the eval- Farmers Multipurpose Coopermentation Support (SIS) Mis- uation and monitoring aspect ative (MAFAMCO). Both the FMR and the millsion visit in the provinces of of the Project ConVERGE to asZamboanga del Norte and sess the physical and financial ing facility are considered vital Zamboanga del Sur from No- accomplishments, thresh out components of the operations vember 19-21, 2019. the issues and concerns, con- since the former provides acThe team visited the Zam- duct site inspection to gauge cess from the production area boanga del Norte Resettlement the viability of the project and to the trading site, while the latAgrarian Reform Community gather actual lessons and expe- ter addresses the milling needs
of the participating ARBOs and rice farmers in the project’s influence areas. “We are grateful for the support that Project ConVERGE has provided to construct this road project.” Said Hon. Charlotte Panal, Tambulig’s Municipal Mayor, during the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Rehabilitation / Concreting of Gabunon – Alang Alang FMR. She also added that the project will be put to good use as it will benefit the rice farmers of Tambulig to easily transport their produce to the market. The mission team includes IFAD specialists Clovis Ike Payumo, Merly Cruz and Zidni Marohombsar; Neda representative Gemma Bala; Manila Liaison Office representative Ma. Susana Perez; Resource Person Mr. Gomer Tumbali and other consultants and officers from the central, regional and provincial office.
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Rubber farmers get income increase through new marketing scheme Rubber farmers from Lumbia, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay recently adopted a new marketing scheme that is anticipated to produce good results in their rubber production and income, according to the chairman of one of the Rubber Farmers Association in Lumbia. The Lumbia Rubber Farmers Association (LURPA) is one of the organizations that has adopted the competitive bidding scheme to further improve their farmers’ productivity and income. This was implemented by the association as its method of trading to steer away from the lone-buyer scheme and to venture out to new buyers, eventually generating more income for the group. Adopted in April 2019, the scheme gave their organization an increase in income for the past eight months. Ronilo Bijo, marketing manager of LURPA, said that the volume of their production has increased from 1,000 metric tons to 8,000 metric tons every 15 days. The most distinctive aspect of the scheme is that it takes a technological path where the bidding process – from bidding to awarding – is done via SMS. “Ever since we implemented the scheme and incorporated technology to it, we found it even more manageable than the previous years we’ve implemented a competitive bidding process,” LURPA’s Chairman Raul Rocamora, said. Rocamora also added that the process was made easier by ensuring the pre-qualification of the bidders to ensure a manageable bidding. He explained that in their previous competitive bidding scheme in early 2008, no pre-qualification was implemented, therefore making the process inconvenient, as bidders from neighboring towns get to bid without signing
Farmer consolidating the rubber lumps to be brought to headquarters for winning bidder’s final payment.
up and bid as many times on the day of the bid using different people to bid for them. The Scheme The bidding process would start with a text invite to the interested buyers, introducing the product and the volume available. The bidding time is two days where the association representative reminds the bidders to send their offer prior to closing. Once the bid closes, the LURPA Bidding Committee would evaluate the offers and then decide who will be awarded. In instances where bids are lower than the Malaysian Rubber Exchange (MRE)
and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) exchange price they use as reference, the committee declares a failure of bidding and may open for negotiated buying. Last December, LURPA’s Market Day for December where the settlement of bid was done happened on the first week at the LURPA headquarters. The winning buyer weighed and picked up the rubber lumps on each farmer statio before proceeding to the offie for the official payment. Ganasa Almada of neighboring town Naga visited the headquarters to consolidate 7000 metric tons of rubber lumps totaling
to almost 200 thousand pesos. This settlement benefitted 65 members of the organization. Impact on farmers Farmers are ecstatic on the assurance that their products are to be purchased by the winning bidder. The scheme enables each rubber farmer to sell around 180 to 300 kgs of rubber lumps in 15 days which is significantly higher than the previous scheme in terms of volume of sold. “I prefer this current scheme because we get to sell more rubber lumps every month.” Ariel de Guzman, a LURPA member said.
DAR Turns Over P6.7 Million Worth Projects, Farm Machineries To ARBs Continued from page 1 Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Engr. Agnes Y Maata prompted the group to take, care, maintain
and sustain the machineries and projects to reinforce the programs of DAR that were already implemented to increase their farming productivity.
The event was conducted as part of the government’s initiatives in upholding the welfare of poor filipino farmers.
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October - December 2019
Zamboanga del Norte CARPO Alfonso Tan (Second from Right), LURPA Representative Mr. Ronilo Bijo (First from right), TESDA Representatives, and other ARBO participants concluding TESDA’s Basic Computer Training.
The Generation X Tutors the ExGeneration on Modern Techs
Admittedly, the young are much adept at learning new technologies than the old. No doubt about it! A surprising event happened while the PPMO-Zamboanga del Norte conducted one of its training for Project ConVERGE-assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs). The Basic Computer Operations Training, which was conducted in the TESDA Provincial Training Center in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte last November 11-13, 2019, was designed to equip the selected ARBO officers on the basics of Computer Operation as a way to help the ARBOs enhance the operation and management of its enterprises. While the training design was for the TESDA Train-
ing Staff to handle the lecture proper, a modification introduced by TESDA caught PPMO Training staff by surprise when swarms of young TESDA students joined the training briefly and helped tutor the ARBO officers on the rudiments of computer operations. And the young lads were having a field day, patiently and eagerly tutoring the participants. Information given by TESDA staff was that these young students were trained on computer operations for only 47 days. But watching these young people so at ease in tutoring, they look and sound like a professional. Kudos to these young lads! And kudos to TESDA for training them well. It was a sight to behold watching the participants and their young trainers. While the participants were all eyes on
their computers, the trainers sat beside them, guiding the participants’ hands as they manipulated the mouse, pointing to the different icons and its functions. And the ARBO participants seemed not to mind that these young people were on hand guiding them during the train-
ing. Judging by how receptive they were of having a tutor, the training innovation certainly was helpful. With the TESDA Training Certificate tucked under their belt, these participants will now be at the forefront in the computerization of the ARBOs’ financial and business operations.
Young TESDA students handling the basic computer training with the ARBO participants
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DAR conducts legal clinic to farmer beneficiaries through Serbisyo Caravan Farmers on a remote village in Diplahan town in Zamboanga Sibugay benefited from the Serbisyo Caravan of government agencies led by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTFELCAC). The caravan was held on October 3, 2019 in Barangay Guinoman and was participated by national government agencies and government owned and controlled corporations with offices in the province and some local government units. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mohammad Dassan Adju took advantage of the activity as an opportune time for him to personally talk to the agrarian reform beneficiaries in the barangay and attend to their land problems through the holding of a legal clinic. The caravan became an avenue for DAR to showcase once again the land reform program in the country and its component services to the community folks. Among the issues raised by the farmers before the DAR personnel are those relating to correction of entries in the certificates of land ownership award, status and whereabouts of some
PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju and other members of the legal team from DAR– Zamboanga Sibugay conducting an interview with a farmer beneficiary during the Serbisyo Caravan in Barangay Guinoman, Zamboanga Sibugay
titles and inquiries on land survey. PARPO Adju was joined by Atty. Johnald Salomon and his legal team and other personnel from the DAR provincial and municipal offices. Governor Wilter Palma said that the Serbisyo Caravan is a joint
program of government agencies which aims to bring various services to the people in the barangay level. The activity is the first of its kind in Diplahan, the governor’s hometown. Other departments that ren-
DAR distributes Certificate of Land Ownership Award to ZDN farmers The Department of Agrarian Reform issued Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to 91 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of El Paraiso and San Francisco in Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo N. Soria
led the distribution of the CLOAs to the beneficiaries last November 20, 2019. The 129 hectares of land that were distributed among the farmers are geared to transform them to agro-entrepreneurs and allow them to engage in productive ventures and collaborations.
Other officials involved during the distribution of the CLOAs were PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanueva, Atty. Leo Santigoa M. Briones, CARPO Marcelino N. Soropia, MARPO Teodulo J. Yanoyan along with other personnel from DAR ZDN provincial and municipal staff.
dered services and assistance to the barangay residents include the agriculture, interior and local government, trade and industry, labor and employment, environment and social welfare departments. Representatives of government financing institutions like Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Statistics Authority, Pag-ibig Fund, National Irrigation Administration, Social Security System, National Food Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Integrated Provincial Health Office and others were also present.
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October - December 2019
DAR-Sibugay brings relief assistance to Makilala ARBs
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relief operation team from the Department of Agrarian Reform distributed relief assistance to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who were affected by the series of earthquake that hit Makilala town in North Cotabato. Following the three succeeding strong earthquakes that struck the province of Tulunan, Makilala, Kidapawan and other neighboring towns and cities in North Cotabato, DAR-Zamboanga Sibugay initiated a relief operation activity to the victims who took shelter at two evacuation camps in Barangay Buena Vida in Makilala last December 13, 2019. The families that were displaced from the severely affected areas sought for assistance like food, tents, water and clothing through media platforms. Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA)-Zamboanga Sibugay took measures and initiated the relief operation activity with the strong support of DAR management to mitigate the impact of the disaster by addressing the needs
4th Quarter
EDITORIAL STAFF Editors-in-Chief
GLORIA M. SARACHO MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZA
Contributing Editors CHARMA TINAAN JOHN LLOYD CABABAT LAILANIE VIC S. VALDEZ JULLIENNE TUAZON RYLLE ADRIANE GALVEZ
Editorial Consultants FAISAR ALI MAMBUAY, CESO IV Regional Director ATTY. RAMON E. MADROÑAL, JR. ARD for ADMIN. & Legal Services The relief operations team of DAR-Sibugay together with the ARBs who are among the recipients of the relief assistance
of the victims. Romulus Perez, president of DAREA-Zamboanga Sibugay, said that the operational expenses were sourced out from funds of the employees’ association, DAR management and MARPO’s association whereas employees also gave cash contributions to cover the cost of the items to be distributed. Affected families received packed items which contained dried laundry and bath soaps, dried fish, tube skirt locally known as “malong”, umbrel-
la, underwear, toys and use clothes. Likewise, burgers and juices were distributed to each of the 280 students of Buena Vida Elementary School that were holding classes in tents. Among the evacuees who received relief aid in Barangay Buena Vida were 163 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) which are the target beneficiaries of the relief operation of DAR. Barangay Buenva Vida is one of the three barangays composing the Magarbu Agrarian Reform Community.
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
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Lorna Salera led the 10-man relief operation team consisting of representatives from the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM), Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Office (MARPO) and DAREA.