January-March 2017
Volume 15 No. 1
8 Pages
Imelda ARBs receive individual CLOAs NINETEEN Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay received their individual Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). “After the land distribution, support services and capacity development for the ARBs will follow so as to help them improve their quality of lives”, PARPO II Atty. Judith PatriarcaMantos said during the distribution ceremony held on December 9, 2016 She also stressed on the obligations of the ARBs due the land such as religiously paying the lands’ taxes. “Since the land is owned
by the government, therefore, recipients have no obligation to amortize or pay the value of the land to either a private landowner or to the bank”, she added. The lands distributed consist of 37 hectares which are portions of the more than a thousand-hectare area property owned by the government which traverses the Municipalities of Siay, Imelda and Payao, all in Zamboanga Sibugay. Being owned by the government, the land was placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) by virtue of Executive Order No. 448 mandating, among others, that all government properties suited for agricultural purposes will be placed under the
The ARBs proudly showing their individual CLOAs after the distribution ceremony. Along with them are the DAR and LGU-Imelda officials.
program and eventually be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries. Since 1992, the large tract of agricultural land has been covered collectively by one single title until the recent years when it was
subdivided based on actual possession and individual tillage, and the identified ARBs were issued with corresponding titles of their own. Continue on page 7
DAR conducts paralegal training for farmers
ARDO Agnes Y. Maata providing significant inputs to the farmer paralegals
A THREE-DAY Farmer-Paralegal Clinic and Tactics training was conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) which was attended by selected farmer leaders and the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC) chairmen in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. The activity took place on October 2527, 2016 at Manuel’s Resort, Municipality of Pinan. The farmer paralegal program of DAR seeks to enhance the capacity of farmer leaders, members of the (BARC) and other agrarian reform advocates towards an effective partnership in implementing and
fast-tracking of land distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The community-based participants were joined by their respective Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs) from the different districts of the province. Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob emphasized that farmer-paralegals must be equipped with knowledge on how to resolve tenurial issues and other agrarian related concerns at their level through the continuing program of DAR. Continue on page 2
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January-March 2017
DAR’s MIFAMCO Thriving On . . .
CACAO inspection with RD Felix Agohob, PARPO II Arturo Soria, PBDD Chief Josephine Sisican and MIFAMCO Operations Manager Antonio Gumanid.
THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) assisted - Midsalip Farmers Multi – Purpose Cooperative or MIFAMCO, a national multi– awardee cooperative, has its main office in Poblacion, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur. Itwas registered with the Cooperative Development Authority in 1992. The cooperative which began with only 65 farmers has now grown to 9,800 members. It has forked into five other branches in three other municipalities and in the two cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga. Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo N. Soria boast that MIFAMCO which started with a capital of only PhP 32,500 has now a total asset of P156.7 million as of June, 2016, and a net
income of P3.27 million, as of December 2015. MIFAMCO Operations Manager Antonio Gumanid relayed that 9 out of ten hectares of MIFAMCO’s agricultural land are demo farms of banana, mangosteen, durian, pineapple and lanzones fruit trees. A small rice land and a fishpond are also in the area; half
to one hectare are flowering and fruiting cacao trees; In the year 2013, MIFAMCO has signed a Memorandumof Agreement on cacao production purchase agreement with the Kennemer Foods International, Inc. As the coop’s cacao marketing outlet, Kennemer has bought 100 kilos of the 2 year old, all – end
varieties of cacao at P110 / kilo from the coop.Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob emphasized that farmer-paralegals must be equipped with knowledge on how to resolve tenurial issues and other agrarian related concerns at their level through the continuing program of DAR. Continue on page 6
DAR conducts paralegal training for farmers Continued from page 1 Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Mohammad Dassan J. Adju said the training was an opportunity for the farmer-paralegals to understand deeply the issues affecting program implementation in the community and be involved in the fast tracking
of land acquisition and distribution. Assistant Regional Director for Admin and Finance Atty. Ramon E. Madronal, Jr., Assistant Regional Director for Operations Engr. Agnes Y. Maata , Regional Chief Legal Atty. Tettywangsa Hussein, PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanueva and Provincial Operations Chief Engr.
Marcelino Soropia also attended the activity and provided significant inputs to the farmer paralegals. The resource speakers during the training were Lourdes Cruz and Cynthia Bunyi from the Agrarian Reform Capacity Development Service Central Office.
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DAR turns-over 5.35 Million FMR project in Mutia THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has successfully turned-over 850 linear meters Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Barangay Diland, in the Municipality of Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte. The recipients have now easier access in transporting their produce from their farm to the market. The road project has allotted P5.35 million under the DAR’s Bottoms-up Budget (BuB), Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) with counterpart funds from the municipal government. It will benefit 133 ARBs and 2,683 non-ARBS from Poblacion to Barangay Diland.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju said that he is optimistic the recipients will uphold and preserve the infrastructure project to sustain its purpose. Mayor Arthur C. Tenorio expressed gratefulness to DAR for the road concreting project that will open economic potential in the agrarian reform community (ARC) and boost the farmer’s agricultural productivity. The turn-over ceremony’s highlights were the blessing, ribbon-cutting, and signing of project turn-over documents by the DAR officials and LGU representatives. Continue on page 6
Some 133 farmer beneficiaries now benefit from the P5.35 million Farm-to-Market Road Project of DAR in Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte. DAR was represented by PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju while the local government was headed by Mayor Arthur Tenorio.
DAR Zamboanga del Sur Turns-Over PAMANA Projects in Aurora and Labangan
Turn-over of 44 sub-projects under PAMANA-ARA in the Municipality of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur. PARPO II Art Soria spearheaded the activity assisted by PBDD Chief Josephine Sisican, MARPO Allan Apao, PAMANA-ARA Point Person Myfanwy Decena and other DAR personnel. Also present were Hon. Mayor Emmanuel Palma and Peoples Organization Presidents.
THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform in Zamboanga del Sur had recently turned-over 60 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) projects through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The PAMANA-ARA Phase 1 projects worth 18.6 million in the municipality of Aurora consist of the following: 34 tire paths, 4 multi-purpose building, 2 multi-purpose pavements, day care center and three units water system. These projects will benefit 24,787 agrarian reform beneficiaries, 9,817 house-
holds and some 48, 378 residents in Aurora. Meanwhile a total of 4.8 million worth of project under PAMANA-ARA Phase 2 was turned over to the Labangan municipal local government. It consisted of the following: six multi-purpose pavements, multi-purpose building, two solar dryers, drainage canal, three water system, two post harvest facilities and a health center. These will benefit 4,981 agrarian reform beneficiaries, 4,836 households and 24, 111 residents in the municipality. Continue on page 6
DAR Conducts ITEMA THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted the Information Technology – Enhanced Maturity Assessment or ITEMA to its assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBOs) from October to December 2016 in Zamboanga del Sur. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Arturo N. Soria said that the ITEMA is a new system which seeks to get comprehensive and realistic results for assessing the levelsof maturity of its assisted ARBOs using smartphones. “DAR considers ARBOsorganizations as key players in rural development. Thus,assessing their viability based on levels of maturity is imperative” Soria stressed. Continue on page 7
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo N. Soria of DAR ZDS expounded that ITEMA is a new system which seeks to get comprehensive and realistic results for assessing the level of maturity of the assisted ARBOs using smart phones.
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Agrarian Reform Chronicles
Taken during the IFAD Implementation Support Mission to Project Co implementation issues and bottlenecks and to discuss and agree on a set a consultation with the project staff, beneficiaries and stakeholders was Patriarca-Mantos, representatives from involved LGUs and farmers' org
Distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to the 19 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of Lumpanac, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay. The land distributed consists of 37 hectares which is a portion of the more than a thousand-hectare area traversing Siay-Imelda-Payao municipalities, all in Zamboanga Sibugay. Present during the simple ceremony held twere PARPO II Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos, Imelda Mayor Roselyn Silva, PARPO I Elizardo Villaseca, Legal Division Chief Reynaldo Mantos, MARPOs Rogelio Gallebo and Janeth Aranas and some local officials.
The Farmer-field-School graduation day of the agrarian reform benefici Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Mohammad Dassan J. A unit and the Department of Agriculture.
During the DAR-IFAD Project ConVERGE consultative forum on rubber agribusiness project with the representatives of the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations and people's organizations from the Salipyasin ARC Cluster conducted on November 28, 2016 at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel. The activity was attended by PARPO II Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos, IFAD Consultant Johnson Mercader, CARPO-PBDD Anthony Teves and selected MARPOs.
The Department of Agrarian Reform headed by Regional Director Felix impact to the agrarian reform communities in Zamboanga Peninsula. S
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onVERGE in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay last November 11. The mission was held in order to assess the progress of project implementation in relation to its start-up activities, identify of actions to resolve identified constraints and improve project implementation. Part of the conduct of the mission was the field visit in Barangay Mate, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay wherein s done. The event was graced by IFAD Representative Johnson Mercader, Regional Director Engr. Felix Aguhob, Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Maata, PARPO II Atty. Judith ganizations and some officials and support staff from DAR Central, Regional, Provincial and Municipal Offices.
iaries in Jose Dalman. Zamboanga del Norte culminated with the harvesting of their varied produce of kangkong, string beans, bitter gourd and gourd. The Department of Agrarian Reform Adju emphasized in the activity that Jose Dalman will soon serve as a market hub for organic produce in the locality. Other guests present include representatives from the local government
x B. Aguhob and the respective representatives from the Provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay have worked together towards the goal of giving imultaneous activities to include the Regional Review and Planning Session, and the ARCP2 and Project converge meetings were held in Dipolog City on October 5 to 7,2016.
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DAR’s MIFAMCO Thriving On... Continued from page 2 MIFAMCO’s Microfinance project consumes 31% of the coop’s loan portfolio, under its Farmers Assistance for Rural Management-enterprise (FARM). This service is offered to their members who are engaged in rice / copra production; livestock production: such as goat and duck raising, fishpond, swine production and poultry; and corn, rubber and cacao production agri-financing.The cooperative offers loan ranging from P5 thousand to 1.5 million at 22 – 34% per annum at diminishing balance. This is payable fromone to six months except for copra production loan which has a 12 month repayment term. MIFAMCO has also its Micro-AgriLoan Product (MALP) for those involved in agri-related activities with other source of income, coming from micro-entrepreneurial activities. Under this scheme, those who are embarking in ampalaya, banana, pineapple, tomato and eggplantgardening may avail P3,000 to P150 thousand payable fromone to six months at 3% interest per month. MIFAMCO’s 3rd Microfinance project is on Micro – Enterpise Assistance Loan (MEAL). This caters to the enterprising poor and microentrepreneurs in the field of micro-trading, micro-production, micro-service and in agriculturerelated industries who have a combined household and business asset size of not more than 1.5 million. Those engaged in sari - sari store, buy and sell of rice and corn, dress shop, eatery, and meat shop can avail of P1,000 to P150 thousand loan under MEAL payable within six months with an interest of 3% per month.
Moreover, DAR Region IX officials headed by Felix Aguhob are glad that DAR’s Agrarian Production Credit Program through the Land Bank of the Philippines has approved P7.5 million for MIFAMCO’s cacao production. An initial P923,890 has been lent to the cooperative with another P1.9 million requested to be released later. This is alongMIFAMCO’s pursuit to expand their cacao production since this holds a promising and lucrative future. Truly, MIFAMCOeases and uplifts the lives of its members by providing them quality microfinance services. This sterling cooperative is steadily growing stable and competitive, and is thriving on in helping improve our countryside. The cooperative is proud that as of June, 2016, it distributed a patronage refund of P2.28 million and P2.28 million dividend from January-March, 2016 to their members.
January-March 2017
DAR Zamboanga del Sur Turns-Over PAMANA Projects in Aurora and Labangan Continued from page 3 Mayors Emmanuel Palma and Eddie Relacion of Aurora and Labangan municipalities respectively were thankful for the completed projects. They recognized the effort of the DAR and their commitment for the realization of these projects that will greatly help in alleviating poverty in their municipalities. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo Soria enjoined the recipient Peoples Organizations to properly maintain,take good care and sustain the projects to benefit even the next generations.
DAR turns-over 5.35 Million FMR project in Mutia Continued from page 3 The DAR was also represented by the Regional Support Services Chief Floripes V. Lagutin, and Technical Assistance and Support Services Chief, Engr. Alfonso A. Tan who passed on the key of responsibility to Diland Barangay Captain Rosalie D. Bait-it. Also present in the ceremony were Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Anjanette V. Nemiaga , BUB Provincial Coordinator Eva E. Benitez and Municipal Engineer Mario Natcher.
The Farmer-field-School graduation day of the agrarian reform beneficiaries in Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte culminated with the harvesting of their varied produce of kangkong, string beans, bitter gourd and gourd.
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DAR - IFAD Mission Boosts Project ConVERGE
1st IFAD Implementation Support Mission visit to project ConVERGE (SALUG VALLEY CLUSTER ARC) was conducted in Molave with IFAD Mission Team Leader Johnson P. Mercader.
THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) held a stakeholders meeting with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Implementation Support (IS) Mission fo project ConVERGE (Convergence on
Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment) in Vine Hotel, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur recently. Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob thanked all stakeholders for gracing the consultation dialogue
DAR Conducts ITEMA Continued from page 3 Program Beneficiaries Development Division Chief Engr. Josephine G. Sisican explained that the ITEMA for ARBOs utilizes mobile phones with uploaded applications designed by an Information Te c h n o l o g y Consultant. Among the advantages of this system are: a.) data gathering is faster b.) data gathered is more accurate and c.) manipulation of data is prevented
because of its geo tagging feature. This assures that the data are indeed gathered in the field where the ARBOs are located. The system also allows picture taking and uploading of supporting documents like the ARBOs’ Books of Accounts thus,makingthe data verifiable. She said that these facilitate the conduct of data gathering and verification and pinpoint the location where these data are generated.
for the 1st IFAD Mission. Earlier, he disclosed that the development project seeks to increase the income and productivity of farmers in Western and Northern Mindanao and CARAGA. For Region IX a P1.02 billion project will be implemented.
Of this, P136.6 million is appropriated for Molave, Aurora, Dumingag, Josefina, Mahayag, Ramon Magsaysay and Tambuligall in Salug Valley Cluster for the promotion of sustainable livelihood on rice. In his Message, Head Consultant of the IFAD Mission Johnson P. Mercaderen, joined all to work together to help make the province atruly bountiful land through Project Converge. The 1st IFAD Mission evaluated the status of the project and the fund released. It also explored effective ways for the project implementation and identified critical problems that deter the implementation. During the meeting, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo N. Soria provided the overview and the project status in the province.He said that Project ConVERGE includes the construction of post – harvest facilities, improvement of rural infrastructures, production and marketing of palay, capability building and procurement of farm equipments in the Salug Valley Cluster in Zamboanga del Sur. The project will benefit 1,053 agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province.
Imelda ARBs receive individual CLOAs Continued from page 1 Imelda Mayor Roselyn Silva lauded DAR for helping the agrarian reform beneficiaries in her municipality. As way of encouraging the ARBs to really treasure the CLOAs being awarded to them, she shared how difficult it is to obtain title to property under the regular process. But through DAR, the ARBs acquired their properties with ease, lesser expenses and titles were
delivered to them almost at their doorsteps. Also present in the activity were PARPO I Elizardo Villaseca, Legal Division Chief Reynaldo Mantos, MARPOs Rogelio Gallebo andJaneth Aranas and some municipal local governmentand barangay local government unit officials and employees. (DAR-Zamboanga Sibugay Information Section)
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THE MAN AT THE HELM OF DAR REGION IX BORN ON July 29, 1960 in Oroquieta, Misamis Oriental, Engr. Felix B. Aguhob, the Regional Director of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region IX, does not look his age. Perhaps it is his pleasing and cheerful demeanor that belies it. Physically, he is well-groomed and dresses neatly, a bundle of harnessed energy, always ready to do the job. He is a soft-spoken gentleman with a benevolent heart, stern at work but charming when he wants things to be done . Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob is happily married to a food technologist/consultant and a loving father of four. He is a licensed Agricultural Engineer, who graduated from Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City. He was “Best in Math” during high school days at Stella Maris College. This explains his skill as a tactician / analyst when it comes to problem solving, and addressing issues in the implementation of the program. Director Aguhob also had a short stint in a post graduate Masteral Course in Management at LICEO Cagayan University. His career as a public servant in the Department of Agrarian Reform, spans some 33 years now, having risen from the rank of Agrarian Reform Technologist in 1983. Ten years later, he was designated OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II, in 1993 and became full fledged in 1997 at a very young age. Later, he was designated as OIC Assistant Regional Director for Administration and Assistant Regional for Opera-
tions until finally, designated as the OIC-Regional Director in 2002 which ripened to a full fledged status in 2007 in DAR CARAGA Region. Then, he was moved to Cagayan de Oro on January 29, 2009 up to 2015. It was only on March 11, 2015 that Engr. Felix B. Aguhob was re-assigned as Regional Director of DAR Region IX. His record in government service is exemplary and speaks of a well-accomplished professional, who is a recipient of multiple awards and plaques of appreciation, not only from within our Department but from LGUs and International Institutions or Organizations such as the DAR-Australian agency for International Development/Food and Agriculture Office, which sent Director Aguhob in 2003 for training on the application of Participatory Area Planning (PAP) approach for selected ARCs in Surigao del Norte. Likewise, in 2000 and 2009, the Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) sponsored his training in Agricultural and Rural Development with Environmental Training as well as Overseas Project Inspection. In 2005, he also attended the Strategic Development Planning for the Kalahi Asset Reform Cluster for Region XIII sponsored by DAR/ FAO PATSSARRD. In 2006, Director Aguhob attended a 24-day conference on ARISP II Phase Out on Project Sustainability. Likewise, he went on IFAD study for 3 weeks in Microfinance Program of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Last year, he also attended the seminar on
Project Converge Financial Management. Moreover, he repeatedly attends cacao and rubber seminars or congresses such as those conducted by CIDAMI and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) . Several years ago, Director Felix B. Aguhob had the opportunity to help address the “Sumilao” farmers controversy, which gained him recognition when he became instrumental to the successful resolution of that controversy. His involvement in that event was made known and exuded clearly his ability to mediate and deliver agrarian justice to the aggrieved farmers. As head of DAR Region IX, Director Aguhob is at the helm of a program, and a vanguard for the delivery of reforms to uplift the plight of the marginalized farmers. As CARP implementer who is always at the forefront of the battlefield, his prowess is evident at strategizing the implementation, and has the ability to discuss the program fully well in plain language. As a person, he is principled, well-read, down to earth, spiritually profound and a humanist who is sensitive to the needs of others and always approachable to his peers and subordinates. Such attributes are one of a kind and admirable for which reasons made him loved by his people and exalt him as a leader in this organization. However, a recent move was made by the DAR Central Office for the re-assignment of Regional Directors, thru DAR Special Order No. 493, Series 2016, signed on
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EDITORIAL STAFF Editors-in-Chief GLORIA M. SARACHO MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZA
Assistant Editor SUZETTE T. LOTA
Contributing Editors SHANIE P. JACINTO LAILANIE VIC S. VALDEZ ARNETTE COMIQUE JOHN LLOYD CABABAT
Editorial Consultants ENGR. FELIX B. AGUHOB Regional Director
ATTY. RAMON E. MADROÑAL, JR. ARD for ADMIN. & Legal Services
ENGR. AGNES Y. MAATA ARD for LTS/TASS For inquiries, please write or call the DAR Regional Office IX, Veterans Avenue Extension, Zamboanga City Telephone No. (062) 955-2155 Email add: dar_reg9@yahoo.com.ph
November 22, 2016, and issued by the Honorable DAR Secretary Rafael V. Mariano, re-assigning our beloved Regional Director, Engr. Felix B. Aguhob, back to DAR CARAGA Region. Be that as it may, we may be saying goodbye to our beloved director but this will never end our journey with our great boss. ADIOS SEÑOR AGUHOB HASTA LA VISTA!