THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Western Visayas has launched an online market portal positioned to help agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (Arbos) promote and market their products amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
DAR-Western Visayas Director Sheila Enciso, who spoke at the launching Friday, August 27, said the project, dubbed "Arbo Merkado," is an e-commerce initiative of the agency to help Arbos' products grow and thrive amid the pandemic.
Enciso said the agency, through its Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP), has come up with the proposal to maximize the use of social media platforms, particularly Facebook, in order to address the urgent need of Arbos to sell more quality products at affordable prices.
"By providing our Arbos the social media platform where they can showcase their products, we are not only giving them livelihood but we are also igniting their hopes and determination to continue to live and survive," she said.
Enciso pointed out that "we could not survive this present pandemic without the farmers thus, they are our modern heroes."
Assistant Regional Director Lucrecia Taberna, for her part, urged the public to support the farmers in the region by liking and sharing the "Arbo Merkado" Facebook page.
"This is just the start of many initiatives and interventions of the agency through various social media platforms," she said, adding that "we will study the impact of the program to the Arbos."
This, Taberna said, will serve as their reference to come up with a more upgraded and efficient platform.
Meanwhile, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Atty. Emily Padilla also attended the activity.