TWO agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (Arbos) in the southern part of Negros Occidental have received P900,000 worth of livelihood assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently.
These are Sitio Flora Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SFARC) in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City and Integrated Sugar Rice Farmers and Workers Association in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra town.
They each received P450,000 in support services under the agency's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) program.
Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Development Edna Villaruel said P250,000 is allocated for the hard components of the project.
Villaruel said the remaining P200,000 is allotted for the soft components such as training.
"The project was materialized through the Sustainable Livelihood for Disaster Affected Areas under the CRFPS which aims to sustain the agricultural production as a primary means of livelihood of the agrarian community and an intervention to boost resilience amid the effects of climate change," he added.
On November 16, the DAR officially turned over to SFARC through its chairman Francisco De Guzman, a pair of carabaos, vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers.
On November 10, the ISRFWA received the project components like eggs and other materials needed for poultry production.
The agency has also conducted training on the basic concept and operation of cattle and poultry productions as well as enterprise management, which are vital to sustain the project.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Luz Rezaga, who was present during the turnover and acceptance ceremony, said the support that the DAR has provided are important for the ARBs to recover.
This will help particularly those who were greatly affected by restrictions implemented in light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Farmer-members of the two organizations have thanked the DAR for the support it extended during this pandemic.
"Thank you for not leaving us especially during these very difficult and challenging times. This support has given us thousands of reasons to rise and continue our fight towards progress," De Guzman said, assuring that they will protect and make use of the project as intended.
Meanwhile, 67 potential ARBs in Himamaylan City have affirmed their commitment to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp).
They took their oath before Judge Dialinda Dominguez of Municipal Trial Court in Cities recently.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Francis Melicent Dionela said of the total number, 30 potential beneficiaries will divide the 34.7242 hectares of the landholding formerly owned by Laurita De Narque located in Barangay Libacao.
"Fourteen ARBs will share the 6.14 hectares of the property formerly owned by Serafin Gatuslao in Barangay Carabalan, while the remaining three ARBs will share the 16.8675 hectares of the Carp-covered landholding previously owned by Jose Yulo in Barangay Nabali-an," Dionela said.
He further said prior to the oathtaking, the qualified beneficiaries signed their application to purchase and farmers' undertakings signifying that they have qualified in the screening process for Carp inclusion.
Dominguez, who administered the oath, discussed to the potential beneficiaries their obligations and reminded them to become responsible stewards of awarded land.
For his part, Officer-In-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Arnulfo Figueroa said DAR-Negros Occidental II is committed to uphold its mandate by ensuring that the ARBs are the top priority.
Awarding to them the landholdings due them will empower and uplift their living conditions, he added.