Volume 14 No. 9
July-September 2015
8 Pages
P10.3 Million Common Service Facilities For Zamboanga Farmers
T
HE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently distributed nine heavy tractors worth P10, 277,280 to agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju said four heavy tractors were distributed to Guinles Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GUIFAMUCO) in Polanco; S. Cabral Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (SCARBAS) in Siocon; A.L Micubo Agrarian Reform (SVARBEMCO) in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Beneficiaries Association (ALMARBAS) in Norte and the five others were allocated for Siocon, and Siari Valley Agrarian Reform ARBOs in Zamboanga del Sur. He said that it is DAR’s mandate to make Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative
sure that the productivity of every agrarian reform beneficiaries is enhanced. Adju added that with the aid of the farming machines provided by DAR it would make an impact to the lives of the farmer beneficiaries. Earlier Zamboanga del Norte received six hand tractors amounting to P1,050,000 three of them were handed-out to A.L Micubo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (ALMARBAS), and another three to S. Cabral Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (SCARBAS). Guinles Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GUIFAMUCO) was also a recipient of one floating tiller amounting to P70,500.00. Continue to page 3
DAR launches P8-M cacao contract growing deal for FBs THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in partnership with Kennemer Foods International (KFI) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) embarked onan P8 million contract growing deal to boost the cacao production in Siari Valley Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SVARBEMCO) agrarian reform community (ARC) in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. “With the promising benefits of growing cacao, we will ensure that the project will truly benefit the farmer beneficiaries and we hope that it will become sustainable,” Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob said. DAR-KFI-LBP tripartite partnership through Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) has allocated P8,256,950 for cacao plantation and production in SVARBEMCO ARC. It has set a target to plant cacao in 129 hectares of land in the ARC by intercropping it with coconut farms to provide alternative and
sustainable source of increased income and farm productivity. KFI is a producer and marketer of food and agricultural products. It specializes in growing and trading high-quality agricultural crops, especially fermented cacao beans. The company has been offering a long-term growing program for farmers who are interested in planting cacao. Under its contract-growing program, farmers are provided with planting material, inputs, training, on-going supervision and consultation and a guaranteed buy-back of the harvest at a price linked to the world price. DAR PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju stressed that proper intervention and support will be provided to the cacao farmers noting that Zamboanga del Norte is the first province in Region IX to implement massive cacao planting considering the increase in demands of cacao in local and international markets.
Meanwhile, PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanueva highlighted that the project is a combination of support from other partner stakeholders such as the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry. “We expressed gratefulness to DAR for its commitment for rural development especially in the Municipality of Sindangan,”Mayor Florentino Sy said, adding, that he will encourage his constituents to sustain cacao farming and planting practices as it will provide stable income for farmers with sure market. The ceremonial planting of 105 thousand cacao seedlings was spearheaded by Regional Director Aguhob, together with MARO Nevil Paculanang , APCP Credit Point Person Ailene V. Alonzo and LBP-Lending Center Manager Vinicius Hamoy.
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July-September 2015
DAR conducts discussion with DA
Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Y. Maata explaining the Project ConVERGE of DAR.
THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) IX held a complementation meeting with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to discuss issues relevant to the implementation of the projects of both agencies, the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural
the region to prevent overlapping of provision of projects in the same locality. Project ConVERGE is a project implemented by DAR which seeks to contribute to the reduction of poverty incidence through the promotion of sustainable livelihood activities based on key commodities that are deemed competitive in the areas like rice, rubber, coffee, cassava and coco sugar. The project covers 11 Agrarian Reform Communities Clusters in 10 provinces from Regions IX, X and CARAGA with possible expansion to support peace initiatives in
Mindanao. The interventions under the Project ConVERGE include market linkaging investment facilitation, organizational strengthening and investments in enterprise facilities, subdivision of collective CLOA, provision of rural infrastructure and mobilized partnership with private sector. The DAR was represented by Regional Director Engr. Felix Aguhob and Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Maata while DA was represented by Assistant Regional Director, Dr. Dennis Palabrica.
Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) for the former and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) for the latter. The meeting was conducted to ascertain and evaluate the projects that were implemented by both agencies within the different parts of
DAR conducts Para-Legal Training for Farmers THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently conducted a farmer para-legal formation towards effective partnership in the agrarian reform program implementation in Zamboanga del Norte. This was participated by 28 participants coming from various municipalities in the province. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Office II Moh.Dassan J. Adju said that the farmer paralegal training program is an effective tool in assisting the DAR municipal offices in fast tracking the acquisition and distribution of target landholdings under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The objective of the training
is to assist organized farmers and farm workers in resolving the tenurial issues and other agrarian related concerns through a continuing formation program consisting of trainings and upgrading of farmer para-legal. It also aims to strengthen the partnership engagement between and among community agrarian reform stakeholders, farmer paralegals and local implementers. The participants expressed gratitude to DAR for the opportunity to understand the issues affecting the program implementation in the community and be involved in the fast tracking of land acquisition and distribution.
DAR IX Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob expressed his views on the topic.
Department of Agriculture IX Assistant Regional Director Dr. Dennis Palabrica shared ideas about PRDP.
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Diplahan folks benefit from rehabilitated FMR and water system projects
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Atty. Judith P. Mantos led the ribboncutting of the Paradise-Sampoli B farm to market road rehabilitation project.
PROVINCIAL Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos of DARPO Zamboanga Sibugay led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and turn-over of the rehabilitated 840-meter farm-tomarket road and potable water system projects on August 12 in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay. PARPO II Mantos was assisted by Diplahan Mayor Cresencio Jore in handing over the projects to the barangay officials and representatives of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs) present in the affair. The road rehabilitation project stretches from barangay Paradise to barangay Sampoli B, both in Diplahan, this province. Along with barangay Pilar, barangay Paradise likewise benefited from the water system rehabilitation project. Both projects were implemented under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting-Bottoms-Up Budgeting (GPB-BUB), a budget and poverty reduction reform agenda program of the national government.
The road and water system projects amounted to P2.9 million and P1.3 million, respectively. Aside from Diplahan, 2 other towns in Zamboanga Sibugay were recipients of the GPB-BUB projects. PARPO II. Mantos commended the efforts of LGU-Diplahan for giving the biggest budget allocation among the 3 recipient municipalities under the GPB-BUB program. She encouraged the beneficiaries to preserve and maintain the projects so it will also be enjoyed by the future generation. She said that DAR will continue to oversee the projects. Mayor Jore expressed his gratitude to DAR. He said that the infrastructure projects will have greater positive impact to the people. Also present in the activity were DAR personnel headed by Program Beneficiaries Development Division Chief Anthony Teves, Municipal Agrarian Reform ProgramOfficer Myrna Ugdamina, PARCCOM Member Efren Napigkit and some municipal and barangay officials.
DAR ARCP 2 Funds Infrastructure Project Worth P43 Million THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) together with the provincial government and the municipal governments of Mahayag and Molave in Zamboanga del Sur turned over the P43 million worth of completed 7.6 kilometers farmbeneficiaries to increase their farm to-market road to the 4 barangay yield. councils of Lower SalugDako, Gracing the activity during Balamban, San Jose and Daniel C. the delivery and initial turn-over Mantos in Mahayag; and the 1.9 of CSFs from the supplier to DAR kilometer stretch Purok Ferry to were Regional Inspectorate Team Purok Happy Valley in Barangay Raul M. Flores and Engr. Florenda Miligan, Molave all in Zamboanga Dimapaylo and Provincial del Sur. Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Inspectorate Team Samuel Andrew A. Baliton and Iluminada D. Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Aradji. (Ma. Socorro C. Arturo Soria disclosed that these two projects are a part of the 55 Reambonanza)
Paradise Brgy. Captain Emmanuel Asong receiving the key of responsibility from Diplahan Mayor Cresencio Jore and PARPO II Atty. Judith P. Mantos.
P10.3-M Common Service Facilities For Zamboanga Farmers Continued from page 1 The farm equipment are being provided to ARBOs under Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS). The ARBO - recipients were identified through series of processes conducted by the DAR. Through ARCCESS, DAR also introduces new farming technology to the farmer
approved rural infrastructure project worth P667.17 million funded by Agrarian Reform Communities Project Phase II. Engr. Josephine Sisican, Chief of Technical Advisory Support Services said that these projects benefit 10,424 residents in the DAR-ARCP2assisted barangays. Governor Antonio Cerilles, who attended the occasion, urged the local government units to take care, maintain and sustain these projects for the future generation. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the proper operation, maintenance and sustainability of the FMR was also done during the event.
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Agrarian Reform Chronicles
DAR IX conducts DARAB – Legal Assessment Seminar on DAR Administrative Orders.
DAR Sibugay Ribbon Cutting and turn-over of BUB Projects in Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Ceremonial Turn – Over of Credit Extension Facili under Agricultural Production Credit Program Sibugay.
PAMANA-ARA PROJECTS DAR-ZDS spearheaded by PARPO II Arturo N. Soria a Mayor Basilio Vidad with Vice-Gov. John Regala, Board Member Felicidad F Captains ceremonially turned over 30 PAYAPA at MASAGANANG PAMAYANAN to 30 Peoples' Organizations (POs) in Agrarian Reform Areas (ARAs) on Augu Zamboanga del Sur
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ity, Cacao Production in Titay, Zamboanga
and DINAS Municipal ontanilla & 30 Brgy. N (PAMANA) projects ust 11, 2015 in Dinas, Highlights of the 27th CARP Anniversary
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July-September 2015
Five plantation cooperatives undergo strategic planning FIVE agrarian reform beneficiaries cooperatives in Region IX participated in a series of activities on strategic planning from July 27 to August 14. The activities aimed to assess the internal and external factors affecting the management and operations of the rubber plantation as well as to define the strategic direction and options of the plantation cooperatives from 2015 to 2020. The Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative and Sulo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative of ZamboangaSibugay, the Lamitan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative and Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Integrated Development Cooperative of Basilan and the Agrarian Refom Beneficiaries of Marcelo Cooperative of Zamboanga del Norte participated in the Credit Assistance Program for Program Beneficiaries Development (CAP-PBD) Window II Strategic Planning Workshops. CAP-PBD W-II is a program
Members of plantation cooperatives attending the strategic planning
jointly implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Land Bank of the Philippines in 1996, the objective of which is to help the agrarian reform beneficiaries in doing farming activities through the necessary credit assistance. Region IX is fortunate to be included as a recipient of the program where the five plantation cooperatives are covered under the subject credit facility. The participating cooperatives were required to prepare a 5-year strategic plan to ensure successful implementation of the program. The activities enabled the cooperatives to review and modify their vision, mission, goals and objectives and their organizational values based on new directions. They also were able to assess the factors that affect their performance by looking into their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and to define their strategies, key results areas, performance indicators, programs, activities and resources.
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Sibugay coop avails P5.2-M credit extension facility over of the credit extension facility on July 16 at Culasian in Titay, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos reiterated to the coop members as well as the barangay folks present that DAR is not only up to awarding of lands. It also extends various assistance and interventions that would help improve the quality of lives of the agrarian reform beneficiaries.
PARPO Mantos hopes to expand the number of beneficiaries involved in cacao production. Zenaida Valencia, LBP Head of Zamboanga del Sur Lending Center, anticipated for a productive relationship with the beneficiaries. According to her, the endeavor is historic since its the first time for LBP to release an amount under APCP for cacao production.
The DAR and LBP officials ceremoniously turning-over the cheque to CUSARBENCO.
THE Culasian-Supit Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (CUSARBENCO) of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay availed a P5.2-million worth of credit extension facility through the Agrarian Reform Production Program (APCP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The said credit facility will be utilized by CUSARBENCO for its cacao production. It can be recalled that CUSARBENCO entered into a joint venture agreement with Kennemer Foods
International last year wherein the former will be growing and producing certain volumes of cacao for the latter. The cooperative is set to plant 60,400 cacao seedlings in a 75.5-hectare area. A total of 46 pilot beneficiaries were involved in the endeavor. The credit facility which is being financed by the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) will be implemented within a span of 7 years - 3 years as planting period and 4 years as payment period. During the ceremonial turn-
PARPO II Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to love, maintain and preserve the project.
DAR Zamboanga del Sur Turns – Over PAMANA Project in Dinas THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform in Zamboanga del Sur had recently turned–over 30 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) projects through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The PAMANA-ARA projects worth P9-M consist of
the following: 4 multi-purpose building, 4 solar driers, 11 water system, 6 tire paths, wet and dry markets, day care center, foot bridge and a solar street light. In an earlier similar turn-over, Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhoben joined the recipient Peoples Organizations to properly maintain, take good care and
sustain the said projects to benefit even the coming generations. These projects will benefit 1,952 agrarian reform beneficiaries, 9,788 households and some 46,103 residents in Dinas. Mayor Basilio Vidad was thankful for the completed projects. He recognized the effort of the DAR and their commitment
for the realization of these projects that will greatly help in alleviating poverty in his municipality. Present during the event were the recipient barangay captains of Dinas, Vice Gov. John Regala, Board Member Felicidad Fontanilla and DAR personnel headed by PARPO I Sherwin Tubog.
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DAR Marks 27th CARP Anniversary
A
S THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) celebrated the 27th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), DAR officials reported the gains and accomplishment in Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD). Assistant Regional Director Agnes Y. Maata disclosed that as of June 30 this year, DAR Region 9 has distributed 226,200 hectares of land to 121,515 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), leaving a balance of only 4,641 hectares. It has also surveyed 68,038.5793 hectares of new lands and subdivided 68,488.435 hectares of Collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award. In addition, a total of 36,149 hectares were placed under leasehold for the benefit of 20,171 ARBs. Some 491 agrarian cases
have also been resolved by the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board, benefiting 248 ARBs. Moreover, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mohhamad Dassan Adju said three major projects are now being implemented by the Agrarian Reform Connectivity and Economic Support Services, namely the Cacao Production and Processing Project in the 13 municipalities with 31 ARCs worth P31.650 million; the P3.4 milion Rice Mechanization cum Palay Production for Guinles Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Polanco and a unit of FT Combine Harvester (Model 41.7 2-OD) for GFMC worth P3.4 million and another P1.2 million for flat bed dryer for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations in Mutia; and Abacca Production and Processing worth P1.184million. For the rural infrastructure
projects, it has also implemented 54 sub-projects in 20 ARCs worth P245 millions. These include four barangay health centers; eight Day Care centers; three multi-purpose centers; three potable water systems C level 2); 15 rehabilitation of farm-to-market road; 16-room school buildings; two solar dryers, and three irrigation systems. To give more color to the 27th CARP Anniversary celebration, Dipolog City also served as host to DARs sports event at the Dipolog City Sports Center in Olingan. DAR Regional Director Engr. Felix Aguhob said that Dipolog City was chosen to be the venue of the regional sports activity because of its favorable peace and order, and also, in recognition of the support extended by the provincial and city governments resulting in the successful implementation of projects DAR-initiated.
DAR – LGU on Half Million Foot Bridges THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform in Zamboanga del Sur turned over three units of foot bridges measuring 90 meters funded under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) last September 24 at Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur. Provincial Agrarian Reform
Program Officer I ( PARPO I ) Sherwin Tubog of DARPO Zamboanga del Sur led the symbolic turn-over of the key of responsibility of the foot bridges – to Mayor CaridadBalaod and Sumalig Barangay Captain David Doong Sr., who represented his constituents who are the recipients
of the project. The foot bridges amounted to P557,000 and will benefit 3,490 residents, 610 households and 45 agrarian reform beneficiaries of Barangay Sumalig in Tambulig,. The project provides accessibility and will shorten the travel time of the residents.
July-September 2015
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 CHRISTINE MAE V. BOMES 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
Finally, the DAR leadership headed by Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob through PARPO Tubog challenged the recipients to be trustworthy on what has been bestowed to them so that bigger and greater projects will come their way.