SOME 180 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bago City have received farm productivity assistance consisting of vegetable seeds and farm tools from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-South.
Of the recipients, 103 are ARBs of the landholdings formerly owned by Jose Guanzon while the remaining 87 came from various landholdings previously owned by Magdaleno Jardeleza, Conrado Leyes, Carmela Montecillo, Adela Ortega and Ramos Properties, all are located at Barangay Dulao.
DAR -Western Visayas Director Lawyer Sheila Enciso, who led the project launching at Don Isidro Villarosa Auditorium at Barangay Dulao yesterday, said the assistance is implemented under the "Passover: Arbold Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the Covid-19 Pandemic" project.
Enciso said the provision of farm productivity assistance to ARBs is under Component 2 of the agency's ARBOld Move Project.
The assistance includes starter kits for crop production such as seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and necessary farm tools and implements.
"In the southern part of Negros Occidental alone, we are targeting to help 2, 254 ARBs by which through the production of the fast-growing crops, generating income as well as meeting the nutritional requirements of their households and the consumers," she added.
The DAR official further emphasized that the agency currently has existing strategic partnerships with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) under the Expanded Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP).
The BJMP will be the potential market for produce given the number of persons deprived of liberty in the region which requires a steady supply of food for their needs.
The DAR, for its part, will assist and empower ARBs and their organizations to increase their production and engagement in agri-based and related enterprises.
"Through this partnership, the farmer-beneficiaries shall get better returns of their investments while consumers have access to quality food products," Enciso said.
On the other hand, component 3 of ARBOld Move Project was also launched consisting of the provision of livelihood support for women in a crisis.
Engineer Arnulfo Figueroa, officer-in-charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR-Negros Occidental II, said the project will provide support to 15 women ARBs who are members of various organizations.
This will enable them to engage in livelihood activities such as egg and poultry production and hog fattening to ensure they have food on the table and products to sell.
Figueroa encouraged farmers to give their full support and cooperation to ensure agricultural sustainability and better return of their investments
To ensure the dedication of all concerned parties under the project, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the agency and the recipient-ARBOs.
It was witnessed by representatives of agencies like the 303rd Brigade and 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, BJMP, Department of Agriculture-Negros Occidental, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Bago City Government and Barangay Dulao Council.
Earlier this year, the agency already distributed 4,034 food and non-food items to ARBs in southern Negros Occidental under the Component 4 of the project.