THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-North, through its "The Passover: Arbold Move to Heal as One Deliverance our ARBs from the Covid-19 Pandemic" project, has distributed a total of 3,716 food packs to its farmer-beneficiaries from May 21 to 29 this year.
The food packs contain four kilograms of rice, three canned goods, four packs of noodles, and a bar of bath soap.
Masks and some vitamins will also be distributed in a few days as essentials to the "new normal."
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Teresita Mabunay, in a statement, said the agency is concerned with the welfare of the farmers thus, such master plan of food provision amid this pandemic came to a realization.
"Even though it is a simple food pack that we are distributing, we believe and understood that these will go a long way to sustain them during these difficult times," she added.
The project aims to provide immediate essential support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to mitigate the impact of community quarantine measures due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
DAR-Negros Occidental I said helping ARBs will also ensure that their agricultural production, livelihood, and income will continue during the health crisis, which in turn should also ensure a sustained supply of adequate, affordable, and safe food necessary for Filipino consumers.
It said they aim to facilitate the flow of supply of food products produced by the ARBs being brought to buyers and consumers, and provide them the support needed for continuous production of cash crops and vegetables thereby lessening the negative impact on their incomes.
Also, DAR-Negros Occidental I administers alternative livelihood opportunities to women ARBs for additional income sources, appropriates supplemental food for the sustenance of poor farmer-beneficiaries who are not served by social amelioration or food packs assistance programs of other agencies, and delivers supplies to them for personal hygiene and protection.
In response to Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the DAR has come up with a strategy to support the ARBs affected by Covid-19.
ARBs are also considered as frontliners in terms of ensuring food security especially in this time of public health crisis, it added. (EPN)