THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental has elected and inducted the new set of officers for the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (Parccom) at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Tuesday, September 17.

The eight new sectoral representatives were elected from 63 nominees.

They are Angelito Estama representing the farmers’ organizations; Randy Prino for agricultural cooperatives; Luisito Gatungay for farmers/farmworkers of principal crop; Susita Ibon for farmers/farmworkers of other crops; Wilfredo Alob for landowners for principal crop; Ma. Lourdes Villanueva for landowners for other crops; Antonio Tojong for non-government organizations (NGOs); and Bienvinido Acse for cultural community organizations.

The newly-elected private sector representatives took their oath before Parccom chairperson Eduardo Padronia.

Section 44 of Republic Act No. 6657 created the committee to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) in the provincial level.

It further mandates the Parccom to provide information on the provisions of the Carp guidelines issued by the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) and on the progress of the program in the province.

DAR in Negros Occidental - South Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Enrique Paderes said the elected officers will act as monitoring arm in grassroots and secure the coordination among the government and NGOs in implementing Carp.

“I hope that this new set of representatives will perform their tasks so to help us (DAR), particularly in alleviating poverty and improve the lives of our beneficiaries in rural communities,” he added. (PR)