Volume 18 No. 1
January - March 2020
1st Quarter
DAR Turns Over P7-M Livelihood Projects Under CLAAP S EVEN MILLION worth of livelihood projects under the Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project (CLAAP) were turned over to 11 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations of Zamboanga del Sur. The ceremonial turnover was conducted in the gymnasium of San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur on February 6, 2020. The event was headed
Usec. Emily Padilla (1st from left) led the project turn-over of the Seven million (P7M) project under CLAAP in San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur.
by DAR Undersecretary Emily O. Padilla together with DAR IX Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Y. Maata, PARPO II Atty. Judith P. Mantos and PARPO I Atty. Marcelino Marata. The turned-over projects include a P2.08 million worth agrivet enterprise and the swine production and Continue on page 7
Zamboanga del Norte-DAREMCO Celebrates Silver Anniversary
Members of the ZDN-DAR Employees Multipurpose Cooperative
DEPARTMENT OF Agrarian Reform Multipurpose Cooperative (ZN-DAREMCO) celebrated its silver anniversary with the theme “Sa kooperatiba nakatabang ka na, mokita ka pa!� (in a cooperative you can help while earning) last March 6, 2020 at Bamboo Garden Dipolog City. PARPO II Arturo N. Soria gave an inspirational message Continue on page 2
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January - March 2020
66 Farmers Graduate from DAR-Sponsored Farm Business School in Zamboanga del sur THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform Province of Zamboanga del Sur sponsored Farm Business School (FBS) program has produced 66 more certified farmer entrepreneurs. Atty. Judith Patriarca–Mantos, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of the province said that the FBS program prioritizing the empowerment of farmers through incorporating business in their farming has completed the courses on February 10 and February 24, 2020, respectively. The graduates are members of the Bayabas Farmers Association in Bayabas, Aurora and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries United Manguiles Farmers Cooperative in Manguilles, Mahayag, all in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. According to Engr. Josephine Sisican, Chief of Project Beneficiaries Development Division the FBS training has three parts, eight modules and 25 sessions. It was conducted in 27 weeks in two separate batches. The seasonal training capacitated the farmers in small groups and clusters through “learning by doing” approach at their own agreed time
ceremonies, Mantos said that 66 farmers have turned from local residents to entrepreneurs, ready to take on the challenges of ensuring the success of their farming – business, increasing their income and market linkaging while positively responding to the market demand for chemical free staples. She also said that DAR’s technical assistance will continue to help establish them and later link them to agencies who can provide loan and credit assistance at low interest rate. This training is empowering for them to conDAR Zamboanga del Sur held the graduation ceremony for the tinue, work harder and increase local farmers through its Farm Business School Initiative their areas devoted to vegetable ARBOs involved in organic vege- growing to produce more and and duration,” Sisican said. “The dual training on high-val- table technology, have resourced link to potential markets. “The FBS training gave us ue crops farming and business mobilized quality seeds in coormanagement is designed to em- dination with the Department of faith in farming as we have seen power farmers not only with tech- Agriculture and took part in the the potential in hardwork, technical know-how through learning Educational Market Matching in nical know-how, farm business and practice in their own farms Bagsakan Center in Kapatagan, and consistency. said Epifanio Baoy, one of the graduates. but also in changing their attitude Lanao del Norte. “Farming used to be stereotowards farm enterprise. Parts of Atty. Mantos said that the FBS the course are hands-on tutorial is an empowering educational typed as the lowest means of on basic farm recording, book- system designed to help farmers livelihood, but now we have rise keeping, and accounting, new learn and improve their knowl- above this by becoming farmfarming techniques, starting from edge and skills in entrepreneur- er – entrepreneurs. Daghang land preparation and planting to ship and farm business manage- Salamat sa DAR,” (thank you to harvesting and marketing. The ment. During the two graduation DAR), he concluded.
Zamboanga del Norte-DAREMCO Celebrates Silver Anniversary Continued from page 1 and congratulated the Board of Directors (BOD) headed by Chairperson Amando G. Alama and all the officers and the members for the success of the cooperative for 25 years
and encouraged everyone to cooperate in sustaining the operation of the coop. ZN-DAREMCO after 25 years significantly increased its total assets of about 25 million with 91 active members from 19 original
incorporators when it started its operation in 1995. Currently the coop is engaged in lending and served as a financial wing in helping and improving its member’s social and economic needs. Highlights during 25th anni-
versary and general assembly were giving of dividends, cash gifts and t-shirts to its members. Added thrill and excitement was the “raffle draw” of 30 units of 500 and 20 units of 1,000 pesos.
January - March 2020
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During the Market day, SIR- invitation through a text mesFA’s Chairman Charlie Divinagra- sage wherein interested buyers cia demonstrated their bidding will receive the product details, scheme by conducting a short available volume, and the parorientation among the ARBOs. ticipating barangays where they “Using this scheme in our associ- will be consolidating the rubber ation has helped us increase our cup lumps. market, which has helped our Once the bid closes, SIRFA farmers”, he said. Divinagracia would evaluate the offers by also convinced the ARBOs to in- referring to various reference troduce this marketing strategy prices (Malaysian Rubber Exto their respective cooperatives. change) and choose the bidder The ARBOs gave their pos- who offers the highest price. itive remarks after witnessing The winning bidder then their scheme and most of them visits the different rubber farmwere willing to adapt it to their er areas to consolidate and own cooperatives. Others were weigh the rubber cup lumps. also looking forward to collaboDuring the market day, the rate with SIRFA for consolidation winning bidder’s representaof their products. tive, Mr. Prudencio Laluce Jr. of Mr. Armando Feriolan, neighboring town Naga visited Rubber cup lumps being weighed by the wining bidder PARBEMCO’s Manager was the SIRFA headquarters to conamong those who plan to tap solidate the rubber cup lumps into SIRFA’s scheme. He consid- by weighing and picking them ers the bidding scheme effective up on each farmer station. as the buyers will directly come Farmers’ Remarks to them and the price of their The farmers of SIRFA are rubber will significantly increase grateful for the bidding scheme through the competitive bidding. as it allows them to easily marThe scheme ket their product. “This scheme An innovation in their scheme is better than our previous marinvolves the use of technology to keting strategy,” said Mr. Moisentice bidders from various ar- es Caingcoy a member of SIReas through text messaging. In- FA. He also added that with the terested bidders would only have implementation of the bidding to give their phone numbers to scheme, they are now able to RUBBER FARMERS from Sil- ly conducted its Market Day on the chairman for them to be in- sell more volumes of rubber cup ingan, Zamboanga Sibugay January 20, 2020 with 14,680 ki- cluded in the list of bidders. The lumps which increases their net had their innovative market- los of rubber cup lumps sold. bidding process starts with an income. ing scheme acknowledged by The event was attended by other cooperatives and Rubber various Project ConVERGE-supFarmers’ Associations from the ported ARBOs which included municipality of Titay, Zambo- the Malagandis Rubber Farmers anga Sibugay during its Market Association (MARFA), Small WaDay. ter Impounding System AssoThe Silingan Rubber Farm- ciation (SWISA), Culasian Supit ers’ Association (SIRFA) is one Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries DAR ZAMBOANGA del Norte conducted Planning and Target of the 22 participating Agrarian Cooperative (CUSARBENCO), Setting on January 17, 2020 at DARPO Conference Hall, Diplog Reform Beneficiary Organiza- Subanen Kipit Farmers AssociaCity. This activity enables the Municipal Agrarian Reform Protions (ARBOs) in the project’s tion (SUFASS), Palomoc Agrarian gram Officers (MARPOs) and Land Tenure Service Program Salipyasin Agrarian Reform Reform Benefeciaries Multipur(LTSP) personnel finalized their targets for the year. Different Community cluster that has pose Cooperative (PARBEMCO), issues and concerns relating to LTSP were raised and discussed implemented the competi- and the Rodriguez Estate of Palo- particularly the target on Support to Parcelization of Lands for tive bidding scheme to expand moc Agrarian Reform BeneficiaIndividual Titling (SPLIT) Project. The activity was headed by their market further. It recent- ries Association (REOPARBA). PARPO II Arturo N. Soria.
Sibugay Rubber Farmers’ Innovative Scheme Captures Eyes of Cooperatives
LTSP Planning and Target Setting for CY 2020
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Over one million pesos worth of equipment for coffee processing were tested at DAR Zamboanga Sibugay under the block farming project of Climate Resilient Farming Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP). Two coffee depulpers, two coffee roasters and a coffee grinder will be awarded to the United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative in Isabela, Basilan and the Del Monte Farmers Credit Cooperative in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.
PICTO
A consultation meeting was held at Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO), Good Year, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province with the Central, Regional and Provincial Project Management Office (CPMO-RPMO-PPMO) teams of Project ConVERGE together with the key representatives of Rural Bank of Rizal, who expressed their full support as an additional financial aid partner for the rubber farmer-beneficiaries of the province.
A fire engulfed the Department of Agrarian Reform Zamboanga del Sur Building on February 27,2020. The fire believed to have started at the abandoned building on the left wing of the DAR office started at 6 pm. No one was hurt when the fire broke out however 4 RP vehicles belonging to the office were included in the blaze. DAREA dormitory occupants and employees present at the fire scene said attempts were made to recover belongings and files but the fire easily engulfed the entire building in such a short time.
DAR Z under farmin Irrigat Associ Adju, P person
ORIALS
Zamboanga Sibugay Province received two sets of Tractor, Trailer and Rotavator the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project of the ARBDSP. These ng equipment were awarded to the Camanga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries tors Association, Inc. (CARBIA) in Siay and Bulawan, Kulasian, Guiwan Irrigators iation, Inc. (BKGIA) in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. PARPO II Mohommad Dassan PARPO I Lorna Salera, PCAO Reynaldo Mantos and PBDD CARPO Anthony Teves nally witnessed the arrival of the farming equipment.
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A total of 81 Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) were distributed to farmer beneficiaries in the barangays of Buenavista, Curuan, Licomo, Limaong, Linduman, Quinipot, Tigbalabag and Vitali, Zamboanga City by DARMO Curuan and Vitali under OIC-MARPO Susan S. Benasing.
DAR Zamboanga del Norte headed by PARPO II Arturo N. Soria recently conducted Firming-Up of Sectoral on Land Tenure Security Program (LTSP), Agrarian Justice Delivery Program (AJDP), and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP) and Team Building on February 25-26, 2020 at Alona Breeze Summer Resort, Panaon, Misamis Occidental.
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January - March 2020
ConVERGE-Supported ARBOs Participate in Partnership Project of DTI, DAR
DTI, Project ConVERGE in discussion with lead ARBO MAFAMCO VARIOUS AGRARIAN Reform Beneficiaries (ARBOs) under Project ConVERGE in the Salug Valley Agrarian Reform Community Cluster of Zamboanga del Sur participated in a two-day audit/ dialogue conducted by Department of Trade and Industry - Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (DTI-CARP) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) last March 4-5 in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. Product Integration and Marketing Excellence (PRIME) is a partnership proj-
ect with DTI-CARP and DAR, through the Foreign Assisted and Special Project Office (FASPO) aiming to further strengthen the agency’s motivation for a nationwide entrepreneurship under the CARP, for farmer beneficiaries in Mindanao. Its objective is to enhance industry competitiveness and productivity of the seventy (70) assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), by providing assistance/interventions at multiple levels of interaction design for various functional levels, such as: development or improvement of product de-
signs, supplementation of the designs with prototype execution, and improvement in product packaging and labelling. Engr. Josephine G. Sisican of Project ConVERGE DAR Zamboanga del Sur and Bryan Lorenz L. Sudario from Departrment of Trade and Industry Central Office led the team as they visited various participating ARBOs for the event. The participating ARBOs were the following: Mag-uuma sa Lower Bogo Calabat Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MLBC-MPC) in Josefina, Dumingag Organic Farmers Association
(DOFA) and Barangay Licabang Solar Association (BLISA) which are both in Dumingag, Mahayag Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBENCO) in Mahayag, Gabunon Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (GARBENCO) in Tambulig, Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RIMMPCO) in Molave, and Campo IV-Campo Beneficiaries Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CIVCABEFAMCO) in Ramon Magsaysay. These ARBOs were evaluated in terms of their marketing and entrepreneurship skills, membership, and their financial performance. The evaluation was a primary start of the project before pursuing the first year of enhanced skills trainings to those ARBOs who have ITeMA ratings ( ITEMA is a tool used to rate the organizational maturity of ARBOs) of three and above. The product development would come in the latter parts, after the first year of enhanced skill trainings have been pursued, as the chosen ARBOs will undertake activities that were designed to assist them on multiple business areas such as product innovation, acquisition of various business tools, and technology upgrading.
DAR-LBP-ROD Problem Solving Conference THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Zamboanga del Norte, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Agrarian Operation Center (AOC) IX and Registry of Deed (ROD) came together recently for a problem solving conference in connection with the processing of Claim Folders (CFs), Landowner’s Compensation, Land Distribution and Information Schedule (LDIS), Operation Land Transfer (OLT), Distributed but not yet Documented (DNYD) and Distributed but not yet Paid (DNYP). The participants were able to tackle CFs with problems, issues, needs and concerns and shared their opinions and suggestions and look for a solution to facilitate submission and processing of the said claims. LBP lessen the burden on complying requirements which
are redundant to resolve pending transactions without delays. This good news was mentioned by the AOC-IX Manager Engr. Romeo Fernando Y. Cabanial. He encouraged everybody to read and review all the governing Administrative Orders and Memorandum Circulars in processing all the claims. Inquiries addressed to ROD about the registration of titles and other CARP related transaction was responded clearly by Deputy ROD Atty. Alvin G. Bontuyan and LRA Examiner Misael S. Obnimaga. In his message PARPO II Arturo N. Soria expressed his pleasure in conducting the activity as a proper venue in addressing unresolved issues and concerns for so long in the processing of claim folders. He also thanked LBP-AOC IX and ROD for responding to the invitation.
Other officials and personnel who actively participated in the fruitful discussion were DAR-ZN PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanueva, CARPO for Land Tenure Security Program (LTSP) Engr. Marcelino N. Soropia, from LBP-AOC IX Angelica Pine-
da, Ma. Janille Baustista and Fernando Am-is, from DAR Regional Office. Alma B. Familara, Felicidad F. Cadungog and Rowel Mendoza, DAR-Zambo Norte Claim Folder Processors and Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers.
PARPO II Arturo N. Soria (center) while giving his speech during the conference
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DAR-Zamboanga Sibugay joins PTF-ELCAC Serbisyo Caravan
Mindanao Development Oficer Chairperson Emmanuel F. Piñol
SOME FARMERS in a remote village in Titay town in Zamboanga Sibugay benefited from the Serbisyo Caravan of government agencies led by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC). The caravan was held on January 24, 2020 in Barangay Pulidan and was participated by national government agencies and government owned and controlled corporations
with offices in the province and some local government units. DAR Zamboanga Sibugay PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju and other officials and personnel joins the league of National Government Agencies (NGAs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) and the local government units of Zamboanga Sibugay Province headed by Governor Wilter Y. Palma
to the Serbisyo Caravan. Provincial Agrarian Reform Chief 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. The agrarian reform beneficiaries of the municipality received counselling concerning their landholdings and other DAR programs and services 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. The activity was graced by Emmanuel F. Piñol, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority. He stressed that under the Administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,
the government shall continue to come down to reach Filipino communities especially the far-flung areas to listen and cater to their needs. He also said that Mindanao is rich in resources that it is only right to support its people and farmers with livelihood projects to improve their means of living. Residents of baranggays Kipit, Tugop Muslim and Pulidan availed of the free services like medical, dental and other government services and programs. The Serbisyo Caravan is made possible under President Duterte’s Executive Order 70 which mandates government agencies and bodies to provide necessary services in remote areas to reach out and help them avoid false ideologies of communist groups.
DAR Turns Over P7-M Livelihood Projects Under CLAAP
Continued from page 1 marketing project with 7 ARBOS/CLAAP clusters meat shop which amounted to P4.93 million. This was undertaken through the Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project (CLAAP) which is a joint-project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The projects, with 323 beneficiaries, aim to expand and increase the farmer’s access to economic opportunities and uplift their living condition by 15% within five years after its implementation. This is expected to capacitate and engage them to livelihood and enterprise development, as well as in viable livelihood microenterprise projects. USEC. Padilla asserted that
the project should be honestly implemented in order to increase the income of the recipients and uplift their standards of living to more dignified and comfortable lives. She also added that the young farmers are the future of the farming industry. Meanwhile, Regional Director Faisar Mambuay acknowledged DAR’s partner agencies. He stressed that DAR will not only distribute lands but also
provides support services. He recognized the CLAAP beneficiaries, the ARBO Chairs, young farmers, LGU Execs, Host Mayor Danilo Taucan, and the Implementing Team headed by PARPO II Mantos. The activity was also attended by Cong. Leonardo Babasa, Jr., Board Member John Regala representing Provincial Governor Victor J. Yu and other local government officials of the province.
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January - March 2020
We Heal As One: DAR Zamboanga Sibugay Initiates ARBO linkage to Relief Operations
W
ITH THE onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the country now suffers economic-difficulty as many major businesses and local establishments goes on temporary shutdown. Earning a daily living for for some of our fellow Filipinos, the farmers especially, is close to being none existent since market trades has been limited all throughout the country. The Rubber Industry in Zamboanga Sibugay Province is not spared from the economic dilemma that the country is facing as rubber farming and trading operations are at a standstill due to the absence of buyers amidst the lockdown. The rubber farmers who generally depend on this industry have sought alternative sources of income such as fishing,
kaingin, weeding and as laborers but the income is still insufficient to meet their daily needs. Wilbert Panes, chairperson of Masao Rubber Farmers Association, an Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organization (ARBO) in the Municipality of Tungawan asserts, “Pait kaayo sir, kay wala nay mamalit sa amo goma na maoy panginabuhian namo tungod sa sitwasyon karon, dili pud mi maka gawas para mangita panginabuhian bisan mamanday o magdrive ug habal-habal kay bawal man, mao mantiner nalang mi aning mga lagotmon naa sa amo palibot, dili mi kabalo kung hangtud kanus-a namo ni makaya amo sitwasyon.” (It’s very sad that no one is buying our rubber which is our source of living. With the current situation, we cannot go out to find other means whether it be carpentry or driving a habal-habal since it’s not allowed. That is why we make ends meet with what food we can find around us. We don’t know how long
we can cope with our current situation.) On the contrary, some ARBOs are fortunate enough to have vegetable farms under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program of the Department of Agrarian Reform. But the situation brought by the localized lock down and limited trading resulted to an oversupply of their agricultural products. For this reason, Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE) of DAR collaborated with various PAHP supported ARBOs to sell their agricultural products to a group of good-hearted individuals that provide relief packs to the less fortunate of the province. The initiating ARBO was the Silingan Rubber Farmers’ Association (SIRFA) of the Municipality of R.T Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. In their first week, SIRFA was able to sell 75 kilograms of eggplants and string beans along with some okras and cucumber earning a total of Php 2, 350. It will continue on for the following weeks which will be beneficial to SIRFA as their products will be marketed consistently. The Department of Agrarian Reform Zamboanga Sibugay Province aspires that other ARBOs will also participate in this endeavor. Charlie Divinagracia, SIRFA’s chairperson, said, “Mas maayo ni, kay nakatabang namo sa mga tao nga gigutom nakatabang pajud mo sa mga organisayon nga nanginahanlan kung asa pwede mabaligya ila produkto sama namo”. (This strategy is great because not only were you able to aide in making the food packs , but you also get to help the organizations that need to sell their products, just like ours.)” There is no way to know when this
1st Quarter
EDITORIAL STAFF Editors-in-Chief
GLORIA M. SARACHO MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZA
Contributing Editors
CYRINE PALMA JASMINE B. ALIM MAY CHRISTINE V. BOMEZ LEILANI 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 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
pandemic would come to an end. As the country asserts all means to fight it, like most businesses, the livelihood of the farmers also takes the punch. But like other government agencies that stand its ground on the battlefield, the Department of Agrarian Reform will not get tired of finding ways to faithfully implement its programs and services. Together with our ARBs and ARBOs, we will heal as one.