DAR Region-IX Chronicles April-June 2015

April-June 2015

Volume 14 No. 8

8 Pages

DAR-ARCP2 inks MOA with LGUs of Zambo Norte

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N an effort to promote infrastructure development in the agrarian reform communities (ARC) in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through the Agrarian Reform Communities Project 2 - Performance-Based Grant System (ARCP2-PBGS) signed recently a tripartite memorandum of agreement with the Department of Finance-Municipal Development Fund Office (DOF-MDFO) and the local government units of Siayan, Sirawai, Tampilisan, Siocon and Gutalac at the DAR Provinical Office.

The DAR-ARCP2-PBGS involved 7 sub-projects in the Municipality of Siayan amounting to P86, 363,588 to include 1.5 km rehabilitation with concreting of PolayoDenuyan farm-to-market Road (FMR); 1.5 km rehabilitation with concreting of Paranglumba FMR; 3 km rehabilitation with concreting of Sitio Bolanao-Litolet FMR; 3.53 km rehabilitation with concreting of Moyo- Sitio Pase FMR; 1.9 km rehabilitation with concreting of Gonayen-Sayaw FMR; 2.703 km construction of Munoz-Litolet FMR; and 3.7 km construction of Poblacion-Moyo FMR. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Gutalac has 6 sub-projects amounting to P 10, 021,584 for the construction of four elementary school build-

Present during the event were (L-R) PARPO II Moh. Dassan Adju, DAR IX Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob, Siocon Mayor Julius S. Lobrigas and PARPO1 Rizzel B. Villanueva

ings in Barangays Map, Upper Gutalac, Buenavista and Bagong Silang; and 2 day care centers in Upper Gutalac and Bagong Silang.

The Municipality of Tampilisan on the other hand has a total sub-project cost of P28,151,087 for the upgrading/rehabilitation of Poblacion-New Dapitan FMR and concreting of

Poblacion-ZNAC FMR, while the Municipality of Sirawai has a total project cost of P17,551,521 for the construction of Panabutan and Catuyan Elementary School buildings and the construction of Sipakit FMR. The Municipality of Siocon also has a project cost allocation of P69,522,055.for the canalization of 500-hectare Lituban CIS and concreting of 2,6017 km JNR Pangian-Greenridge FMR. DAR was represented by Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Moh Dassan J. Adju, who both recognized the vital role infrastructure plays in development and attracting investment in the ARCs. The 5 municipalities were also represented by their respective leaders namely, Siayan Mayor Flora L. Villarosa, Sirawai Mayor Gamar A. Janihim, Tampilisan Mayor Angeles R. Carloto II, Siocon Mayor Julius S. Lobrigas and Gutalac Mayor Onesimo L. Coma, Jr. The project aims to assist the government to promote sustainable development and help achieve a more rapid reduction in poverty. This is in consonance with DAR’s thrust to continually deliver intensive support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries and other farmers in the agrarian reform community.

Aurora BWSA: A beacon of success

In the past, residents of Barangay Aurora have to traverse the 3-kilometer distance to the water source, until the water system package under DAR-PAMANA-ARA came recently into the area that made their lives easier. Photo shows a resident carrying a water container from the tap stand back to his house.

GIVEN their remote location, which is about 20 kilometers from downtown Talusan, residents of Barangay Aurora neither thought that 2014 will be a blissful year for them nor did they expect that their long-time dream to have an abundant supply of water will come into reality.

Through government intervention, local residents received and made use of a project that is very vital and valuable to their day to day lives. A water supply system package with 3 tapstands being manned by Barangay Water Sanitation Association (BAWASA) was established in the barangay and turned over to them. The DAR is the lead implementor of Payapa at MasaganangPamayanan in Agrarian Reform Area (PAMANA-ARA) projects, in partnership with the municipal and barangay local government units.

Aurora Barangay Water Sanitation Association is an organization of water consumers in Barangay Aurora. It has a total of 66 households, 38 of which are members of the BAWASA. Of this, more than 50% are BAWASA members, and about 26% are agrarian reform beneficiaries. Barangay Aurora, together with seven other adjoining barangays, forms part of Kasalamatan Agrarian Reform Community (KARC).

Continue story on page 2

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April-June 2015

Landowners Forum on Cacao Production DARPO-Zamboanga del Norte took an extra mile towards rural development when it spearheaded the Landowners Forum on Cacao Production and Marketing on June 22 this year at Mibang Hotel in Dipolog City. The well-attended forum drew CARPaffected landowners in the province coming from as far as Sirawai town.

It can be recalled that DAR through Sec. Virgilio Delos Reyes and Kennemer Foods International, Inc. (KFI) represented by its President, Simon Bakker, executed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on June 26, 2013 for the development and scaling up of cacao production in Mindanao.

“The activity, which is initiated

PARPO II Moh. DassanAdju of DARPO Zambonga del Norte delivering his message during the conduct of Landowners Forum on Cacao Production and Marketing

by the Landowners Desk Office of the Program Beneficiaries Development

Division (PBDD) is the first of its kind in the province or even in the entire

region.” PARPO Mohammad Dassan Adju said.

Meanwhile, PARPO I Rizzel Villanueva said DAR’s mandate towards ARBs and landowners can be gleaned from the CARP Law, as amended by CARPER law.

Section 13 of RA No. 6657 says: "The State shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers and landowners, as well as cooperatives and other independent farmers' organizations, to participate in the planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing and other support services.”

Aurora BWSA: A beacon of success

BAWASA Chairperson with the DARPO and MARPO personnel during the final project inspection

Continued from page 1 It can be recalled that before this water project was established and became operational in the barangay, life was never been easy for the residents of Barangay Aurora. Water is a way of life, so everybody says. It is and will always be part of one’s daily need. All the more there is a need for a safe and clean water supply that could address the potable water needs of all its residents. History has it that, in order to have a supply of clean water for their daily consumption, residents of the barangay, from the household heads to other able-bodied family members, will have to traverse a distance of 3 kilometers -from the barangay site to the neighboring

barangay where the source of water is situated. Obviously, household members are forced to wake up early in the morning to fetch water for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and for other household usage before their daily routine starts.

Given the distance of the barangay site to the water source as well as the time consumed in going to and from these areas, heads of the families usually leave their homes as early as 5:00 a.m. and return after about two hours. Besides, the 2-hour walk on a six-kilometer trail could only allow them to carry about 24 liters of water which should be used reasonably for the whole day. This situation makes them tired at times and gives them a feeling of hopelessness. However, they are left

with no other option but to bear with their present state and do some sacrifices if only to survive.

The misfortune they have, however, was changed into a blessing recently. The coming of DAR PAMANAARA water project in Aurora is the answer to what the residents in the barangay prayed for over a long period of time. The project gave them a new beginning and a new hope, especially in terms of the basic services vital for survival. In a span of more than two months from its operation, BAWASA was able to raise money out of the monthly

contribution of P110 per member-household, for its operation, maintenance and improvement. Through cooperation, BAWASA was able to formulate sound organizational policies to sustain not only the association but the water system project as well. Indeed, Aurora local water association is a beacon of success for all the other barangays in Talusan to see and get inspiration from. The scarcity of the water resource then had made the residents of Aurora more appreciative and grateful for whatever BAWASA has offered them now. (John Lloyd P. Cababat)

With the water project being constructed right in their community, kids could now help in fetching water which they do not usually do years ago.

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FAARMCO members go North with BFI SIBUGAY’S federation of cooperatives, which are into rubber production, was exposed to various commodities grown and processed in selected sites in Mindanao like Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Bukidnon. FAARMCO or Federation of Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperatives (FAARMCO), along with 2 other agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) from Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, had been to various agribusiness ventures which, beside imparting insights to all the excursionists, inspired them greatly as well.

Of the 6 primary rubber cooperatives that compose Zamboanga Sibugay’s FAARMCO, 5% sent their representatives namely: ARBENCO (Kalawit), TARBEMCO, SARBEMCO and MASCARBEMCO (Naga); and GARBEMCO (Kabasalan). Only TIMARBEMCO (Tungawan) failed to send a representative. This is part of the service introduced by Baba’s Foundation, Incorporated (BFI), a Davao-based foundation tapped by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to provide agri-extension (AES) and business development services (BDS) to agrarian reform beneficiaries. These services are aimed at capacitating, mentoring and coaching ARBs to utilize fully the land awarded to them according to crops or commodity grown thereon, or those they plan to venture into as part of farm development.

It was a 5-day trip to include the 2 days that served as travel periods to and from the identified sites. The group assembled and jumped off from Barangay Monte Alegre in Aurora town in Zamboanga del Sur, early morning of May 10 for Kidapawan in North Cotabato - a renowned rubber corporation for its modern processing plant could have been the first stop of the group. For some reasons however, the same was called off. The group then proceeded to Bansalan in Davao del Sur the next day, particularly in the Baptist-managed Asian Life Rural Development and Training Center (ALRDTC), and became familiar with Sloping Technology, organic farming, livestock and poultry raising initiatives. The group became aware of the significant cycle among various living organisms and learned how to make use of each and

every biodegradable matter found in the farm.

Another successful story on organic farming is Lao Integrated Farms (LIF), located just about 3 kilometers away from ALRDTC, owned by a renowned farmerentrepreneur Benjamin Lao. This became the team’s next stop. LIF is into production of sweeteners out of coco sap or toddy (tuba) and market them locally and abroad.

Rex Amarillo showed them how it was processed, packaged and marketed. He also shared how concoctions are made out of the same ingredient from coco.

The live stocks, poultry and swine they raised within the 5-hectare farm are truly organic. Participants were really inspired that a not-so-big a farm like Lao’s was turned into a huge agri-business venture supplying sweeteners to some parts of America, Asia and even Europe.

It was said that LIF exports 120 drums of coco syrup to different countries every month, following compliance with local and international standards like BFAD, HACCP and more.

With coco sap or locally known as tuba being almost everywhere, ARBs who grow coconut became eagerly motivated to try making coco sweeteners when they get home, even for their own consumption.

Besides, the health benefits of coco sugar and coco syrup cannot be undermined these days. Going natural is a must, they say.

These products become saleable not only domestically but outside the country as well. As the demand for the sweeteners increases, so is the number of their employees. It has been said that Mr. Lao has more than 80 employees within the farm, and 120 contracted “mananggetes” or tuba collectors, including their respective families. LFI also grow assorted fruit trees, coconut, banana alternately planted along with cacao and a variety of shrubs in between to feed their livestocks, swines and even chickens and turkeys.

The trip would not have been complete sans a visit in by far, the biggest name in cacao trading and marketing within the Philippines - Kennemer Foods, Inc. (KFI), located in Mintal in Davao del Sur. The latter is one of the suppliers of cacao beans to an international company that makes Mars Chocolates.

DAR, in assisting ARBs under its support services component, encourages them to grow cacao either singly or together with other crops like rubber, coco, banana

and the like. These farm commodities are proved to complement each other resulting to bigger income for their growers. With the latest market trends within and outside the Philippines, the demand for quality cacao beans is high. Growing cacao can be a good option toward farm diversification. But it has to come in volume. ARBs have to unite and be oriented of the “economies of scale” concept which calls for a collective effort for greater results.

Just last year, growership contracts have been forged between KFI and 2 ARBOs within the province, with the hope of neutralizing, if not addressing the strain brought about by the very low price of rubber that greatly affect the lives of rubber cooperative members and individual growers alike. Technical and financial assistance have been extended to selected ARBs and ARBOs, through DAR’s Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), for them to be prepared for this new venture.

The Land Bank of the Philippines becomes a conduit banking institution which provides credit to ARBOs based on the commodity they grow and produce, to include cacao, and upon compliance with certain requirements.

On its way home, the group visited the Central Mindanao University (CMU), the renowned agricultural university in the region, to learn more about rubber. True enough, despite all the knowledge on rubber growing and processing for the members of FAARMCO, the brief lecture of CMU’s Manager for Rubber, Mr. Jeremias Silao, was for them, very practical, insightful and entirely relevant.

To some, they are the most basic but often ignored values or neglected practices,

which, undeniably affect negatively the image of rubber growers, especially those in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

The practice of using battery solution to coagulate rubber latex and the presence of some dirty and unnecessary particles in rubber lumps have to be addressed and resolved at once. Although members of cooperatives quickly added they could not be faulted for these, since the same are usually done by individual rubber growers who only take in mind higher production and bigger income, at the expense of quality produce and public image. Indeed, the reputation of Zamboanga Peninsula when it comes to rubber production may not be impressive at this time, but there have been efforts coming from the different interest groups and government agencies to stop all these negative practices.

In the words of Mr. Silao, change could not have come at the blink of an eye and at the initiative of one, but has to be worked collectively over the course of time. Everybody could not just help but agree, and bowed to be part of this change somehow.

The participants were all too happy of the experience and the eagerness on their faces to try on their own what they have learned was evident. BFI really knows how knowledge on farming and enterprise can get across effectively - by listening from the experts and seeing the results themselves. Certainly, what have been learned from such expedition were all worth the long travel. New friends gained out of it was another. (PARPO II Atty. Judith P. Mantos, DAR-Zamboanga Sibugay)

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ARBO’s Success Story

GARBEMCO: An epitome of a prosperous journey

GARBEMCO Manager Lilia G. Manuel (4th from left) received the award from Landbank of the Philippines for GARBEMCO as the Most Outstanding Agrarian Reform Cooperative last August 8, 2012 at Hyatt Hotel and Casino, Manila.

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HE sweetest victory is one that is achieved through perseverance, patience and unity.

The Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GARBEMCO) is an Agrarian Reform Cooperative located at Goodyear in Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

It is a rubber plantation-based cooperative organized sometime in 1992 and registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in the following year. Of its 1,016 hectares total land area, 998 hectares of which are devoted to agricultural production and are planted mainly with rubber trees.

Prior to the establishment of GARBEMCO, the rubber plantation was owned by the Philippine Rubber Project Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Goodyear International Corporation based in Akron, Ohio, in the United States. The ownership of the plantation was transferred to the government through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the basis of Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) in 1992. The plantation was turned over to the 312 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).

Before the land was turned over to DAR, the rubber trees were already senile and unproductive, thus needing replanting. The former workers who later on became ARBs were confronted with the following problems: i. The plantation needed massive replanting to replace the senile trees; ii. The well-known Goodyear Rubber Technol-

ogy was not documented and preserved for future use; iii. The workers were only made to focus on their respective work assignments; iv. There was no tangible proof that beyond retirement or separation, the workers will become part owners of the land they till; v. There was no training available for the benefit of the workers to uplift their knowledge on rubber production, empowerment and democratic participation in governance; vi. The workers were not able to protest against the discreet over exploitation on the rubber trees prior to their take over.

In the early 1990s, the DAR personnel together with the Land Reform Desk of the National Federation of Labor (formerly NFL Labor Union) started to visit the plantation to organize the workers in connection with CARP. At the start, more than 50% of the 312 workers were hesitant to register as CARP beneficiaries mainly because of the known failure of the previous agrarian reform projects. The other negative reason was the exclusion of the management personnel from being considered as among the prospective farmer-beneficiaries. But the trend was changed when the former management personnel were listed as qualified to become ARBs. As the registrants increased day by day, the Interim Officers of GARBEMCO were elected.

Their constraints were however addressed through the interventions made by DAR and other line agencies wherein trainings, seminars and other ca-

April-June 2015 pacity-building services were provided to the ARBs/ farmworkers. The DAR intervened through the introduction of the CARP in the area. The coverage was well documented and there came an assurance that the rubber plantation and the cooperative itself will be preserved for future use. Apart from that, the farmerbeneficiaries were assured that after or even before their retirement or separation, the land they till and cultivate will become their property as long as the amortization is fully paid before the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) On November 1, 1992, the first set of Board of Directors (BOD) of GARBEMCO were elected in preparation for the takeover of PRPC plantation as the former management already gave notice to cease operations allegedly due to financial losses. Most of the management personnel of Philippine Rubber Project Corporation were among those selected as members of the BOD. The cooperative was then registered at CDA-Pagadian City on March 25, 1993 with Registration No.PAG-240-93.

To the surprise of many workers, the NFL personnel unceremoniously convinced them to delay the takeover because accordingly, they are not yet capable of managing the operation of the plantation by themselves.There was that aura of doubt and a question cropped up about the intention and sincerity of the NFL personnel as they left GARBEMCO at the time when their support was needed most. In the early months when the going was so rough, the DAR, being the lead agency for CARP implementation, was tasked to save GARBEMCO from their untimely abortion. For that action alone, GARBEMCO wholeheartedly thanked DAR for saving their cooperative.

Early in 1994, a loan of P9 million was granted to GARBEMCO from the Countrysid Financing Scheme of DAR-LBP. Another loan amounting to P1.2 million was also approved from the DAR-Direct Lending Financing Program. In 1997, the LBP in coordination with the DAR Credit Assistance Program under the Program Beneficiaries Development Window 2 granted a loan amounting to P30 million to GARBEMCO to support the beneficiaries in their replanting operations. Because of the fund assistance, the cooperative was able to replant the 367-hectare area out with rubber.

While waiting for the production period of the rubber which is usually 6 years from the time of planting, the farmers innovated the intercropping which is typically done by way of planting gestating crops for their subsistence. In 2000, through the encouragement of the LBP, GARBEMCO introduced additional service like the Members Savings Operation (MSO) to help those members who are in need by financial lending services with minimal interest. GARBEMCO has also opened a commissary store to provide the basic goods needed by members and workers.

Everything was in smooth sailing until in 2006 and 2007 when GARBEMCO failed to pay its fi-

April-June 2015

Agrarian Reform Chronicles

During the Rubber Harvest Festival at Goodyear in Kabasalan town in Zamboanga Sibugay with DAR Secretary Virgilio R. Delos Reyes, then DAR IX Regional Director Julita A. Ragandang and LBP-IX Director Domingo I. Diaz last January 12, 2012.

nancial obligation with LBP. It was then discovered that the cooperative was in a huge deficit status. During that time, the General Manager left his post and was at-large. It was then learned that there was no proper reporting on the cash flow. As a result, the workers were not able to receive their salaries in a span of one year. It was one of the darkest moments of GARBEMCO as it experienced hardships due to tremendous debts with the bank. However, the DAR remained positive and continued to aid the cooperative. In 2008, GARBEMCO made a decision to reorganize its BOD and appoint a new manager. Learning from their previous mistakes the new management of the cooperative used the small capital that was left and continued operations. Luckily, the buying price of rubber during that time was at its highest at P120 per kilo which helped them pay their bank obligations.

Through the continuous support and supervision of the DAR in cooperation with the LBP, GARBEMCO was able to sustain, expand and improve their services over the years. Aside from rubber, the cooperative is now also into Abaca, fish and rice production. Presently, it has a capital build-up of P5 million. Aside from providing services to its members and planning to extend the same services to non-ARBs, GARBEMCO has also provided the following benefits and privileges to its members: i. Free housing; ii. Free Level II potable water system; iii. Free standing light per household; iv. Free marketing truck weekly to transport to and from Ipil Market; v. Free transportation for students to and from Kabasalan National High School; vi. Christmas bonus; vii. Free hospitalization to workers and their dependents at Pathfinder Hospital at Goodyear in Kabasalan; viii. Free transport of seriously ill/injured patients

to Zamboanga City; ix. 15 days vacation leave and 15 days sick leave for workers; x. 5 days maternity leave and 3 days paternity leave; xi. Donated 2 hectares for the site of the elementary school.

In recent years, GARBEMCO has started to reap the fruits of its sacrifices. On May 15, 2008, GARBEMCO was awarded by DAR as the Regional Outstanding Small Farmers Organization for 2007-2008.

GARBEMCO was a recipient of an award given by the LBP as the Outstanding Agrarian Reform Cooperative in the 2012 Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad Pitak) during the bank’s 49th Anniversary held last August 8, 2012 at Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila.

LBP currently gave GARBEMCO the credit limit from P8 million to P12 million.The numerous awards it has received are notable and remarkable proof of its extraordinary and outstanding performance.

To sum it up, just like other organizations,

5 GARBEMCO has encountered difficulties before it became what it is now. However, through its sustained collaborative effort withDAR and other government agencies, GARBEMCO was able to rise from its downfall.

Aside from government interventions, its survival is also due to its innovations and initiatives.

The cooperative did not depend wholly on whatever assistance the government can extend to it. Instead, it introduced innovations which are beneficial not only for the internal operation of the cooperative but for the ARBs and their families as well. Notwithstanding the introduction of innovative changes in its daily operation as well as the initiatives it had instituted in addressing its problems, GARBEMCO remained an organization which is considerate and mindful to the demands of the families of the ARBs and to the community as a whole without affecting the customs and culture of the place of its operation.

Since its creation, GARBEMCO’s operation and production is good enough that it can stabilize and sustain ARBs basic needs, provide jobs even to non-members and contribute to the country’s economy. GARBEMCO’s outstanding performance resulted to its guaranteed financial sustainability and profitability. The DAR is positive that GARBEMCO can maintain and carry on this feat in the coming years.

On the part of DAR, its involvement plays a major role in the cooperative’s survival. The landholding that was awarded to GARBEMCO is a legacy and an instrument thatuplifted the lives of the ARBs and helped in the attainment of the cooperative’s much desired stability Looking back on the mistakes of the past, GARBEMCO can now make wise decisions with enough confidence to succeed according to its vision, mission and goals. The challenges it went through have served as lessons learned as it moves forward to become the best cooperative not only in the region but in the entire nation.

A worker pours the rubber latex into a container for transportation to the processing area.

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April-June 2015

DAR-ARCP2 conducts Multi-Stakeholders forum THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Zamboangadel Norte has recently conducted the Provincial Multi-Stakeholders Forum on Agrarian Reform Communities Project 2 -Agricultural Enterprise Component (ARCP2-AED) in Dipolog City.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) MohDassan J. Adju said that the forum aimed to evaluate the implementation of the programs identified under ARCP2.

The ARCP2-AED component which is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), intends to provide strategic support services to

generate sustained increased income in agricultural production, productivity and household income; provide access to rural credit, market-driven initiative and value added and pilot ARC connectivity strategies.

ARCP2 AED specialist Luz Ani highlighted that the main objective of the project is to increase the income of the program beneficiaries and alleviate the economic condition of the marginalized sectors of the society.

The forum brought together government officials, different line agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of services to the agrarian reform communities.

Engr. Alfonso A. Tan, Chief of Technical Advisory Support Services Division of Zamboanga del Norte introduces the speakers during the Provincial Multi Stakeholders Forum.

Talusan associations benefit from P5-M FMR set to benefit farmerPAMANA-ARA livelihood support projects beneficiaries in Mutia, ZDN EIGHT associations from Talusan town in Zamboanga Sibugay were recipients of the recently turned-over livelihood support projects from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan-Agrarian Reform Community (PAMANAARA) program.

Last May 7, the DAR distributed 54 heifer cattles, 13 heifer carabaos, 2 rice threshers and 3 mudboats to Talusan associations which are recipients of the projects funded through the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) complemented by DAR and the local government units (LGUs) involved.

PAMANA-ARA, an initiative for peace and development in conflict-affected areas in the country, is now on its 3rd cycle of implementation. It can be recalled that Talusan is the only municipality in Zamboanga Sibugay identified and qualified to become the recipient of the projects.

The farmer's association from the barangays of Aurora, Bolingan, Bualan, Cawilan, Samonte and Tuburan were the recipients of the livestock dispersal project which also

includes biologics. In addition, postharvest facilities were given to the associations from Kasigpitan and Laparay.

In her message, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos thanked the LGU, barangay officials and people's organizations involved for the commitment they have shown and given. She challenged the members of the recipient associations to preserve, maintain and sustain the projects as it might be the basis for possible provision of another projects in the future.

Apart from PARPO II Mantos, the turn-over activity was graced by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Elizardo Villaseca, Program Beneficiaries Development Division Chief Anthony Teves, Chief Administrative Officer Ana Georgina Sebastian, Legal Division Chief Reynaldo Mantos, PAMANA-ARA Provincial Point Person Romulus Perez, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Francisco Yurong and personnel from DAR provincial and municipal offices and LGU-Talusan representatives including SB Member Genovia, MPDO Genovia and Mun. Agriculturist Alex Gonzales. (John Lloyd P. Cababat)

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government unit (LGU) of Mutia in Zamboanga del Norte to formally implement the Concreting of Poblacion to Diland Farm-to-Market Road worth P5 million. “We genuinely hope that with the implementation of the FMR it will encourage the farmer-beneficiaries to engage in more profitable income-generating activities to help increase their household income,�said Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Moh. Dassan J. Adju.

Under the Bottom-Up Planning and Budgeting (BUPB) now called

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) which was formally adopted through DBM-DILG-DSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular Goal, poverty reduction programs and community inclusive growth projects must be implemented to conform to the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

LGU Mutia will compliment the project through 5% required cash counterpart that amounts to P250, 000 while DAR will shoulder P4,750.000.

Mayor Arthur C. Tenorio also expressed gratefulness to DAR for recognizing the needs of the community through the realization of the project.

LGU officials of Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte headed by Mayor Arthur Tenorio together with DAR officials and employees led by PARPO II Moh. Dassan Adju

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DAR IX Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob delivers his inspiring message to the 120 farmers who graduated from the System of Rice Intensification training program.

120 farmers graduate from SRI training program of DAR THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Zamboanga del Norte has recently conducted the graduation rites for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) farmers from the DCS3 Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Dipolog City.

In fulfilling the projects objective, some 120 farmers graduated from the comprehensive training on SRI using the farmerfield school approach. It started on December 9, 2014 until March 24, 2015.

The newly-installed DAR-IX Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob expressed his gratefulness for the support of the local government for the successful implementation of SRI in the four barangays of Dipolog City - Olingan, Punta, Turno and Gulayon.

“I am honored to witness the completion ceremony of the three-

month training on SRI that benefits our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). This method will allow the ARBs to transfer the ideas gained from the long term training to other farmers to increase their farm production and productivity,” he said.

Dipolog Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, on the other hand, forwarded a congratulatory message to the graduates. She emphasized the team work and dedication of the people behind the implementation of the Intensive Training for Organic Rice Production through SRI. “My gratitude to DAR-ARCP2 for the initiative to introduce topics on new farming techniques with substantial learning opportunities to help our farmer beneficiaries,” Uy said.

SRI Regional Coordinator AdelbertoBaniqued was also given recognition for his efforts to teach

farmers on how to farm better and apply the knowledge gained from the training on their own fields.

In addition to the key speakers, other distinguished personalities present were PARPO II Moh. Dassan J. Adju, PARPO I Rizzel B.

Villanueva, ARCP2 Deputy National Project Director Jean Fornoles, SRI National Coordinator Roberto S. Verzola,TASS Chief Alfonso A. Tan, MARO Amando G. Alama, Board Member Ronillo Lee and Engr Kerr Porlas. (info_darzn)

Agrarian Reform Chronicles

DAR Hands Over Millions Worth of Projects To LGUs THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Zamboanga del Sur has recently turned-over some P4.4 million worth of projects: three of them under the DAR BottomsUp Budgeting (BUB); and one under the DAR Agrarian Reform Communities Project Phase II (ARCP2) to three barangay local government organizations and a tribal organization.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arturo Soria said that the DAR-BUB P3.35 million flood control projects are funded by the government and are located in barangays Boyugan West, Gawil and Poblacion, Kumalarang. The latter and the Asian Development Bank with LGU equities funded the P1.03 million DAR-ARCP2 Tribal Center.

“Many times the rivers flooded. The waters are harsh and its levels, threatening. With the flood control completed, the children’s lives in Boyugan West School are secured and safe. The same projects which were also constructed in Gawil and Poblacion frees our residents from fear and worry for impending floods. Thus, we are grateful to DAR. These structures will save lives, homes, properties and safeguard agricultural productivity,” expressed Mayor Salva, Jr. In a prior event, Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, of Zamboanga

April-June 2015

EDITORIAL STAFF Editors-in-Chief GLORIA M. SARACHO MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZA

Assistant Editor SUZETTE T. LOTA

Contributing Editors SHANIE P. JACINTO LAILANIE VIC S. VALDEZ CHRISTINE MAE V. BOMES ARNETTE COMIQUE JOHN LLOYD CABABAT

Editorial Consultants ENGR. FELIX B. AGUHOB Regional Director DAR IX Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob and PARPO II Arthur N. Soria (center) together with some of the recipients of the P4.4m worth of projects under BUB and ARCP2

del Sur, advised the public officials to try hard, give their best, to be serious and to excel in serving the public. “If you do, you will be respected, given protection and your community will prosper,” he said.

Meanwhile, Poblacion BLGU is coordinating with the Pegumpungan Bansa Subanen de Kumalarang to successfully operate, maintain and manage the P1.03 million worth of projects handed over to Tribal Center under ARCP2.

Engr. Josephine Sisican, Chief of the Technical Advisory Support Services, cited that the four projects benefited 233 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, 2,051 households and about 10,000 populace in three

barangays in Kumalarang. Sisican further notified that last May, the P3.07 million worth of waterworks system was also handed over and benefited some 1,200 residents in Barangay Mahayahay. “Also an on-going project is the P31.3 million rehabilitation of Sagrada Familia Communal Irrigation System. Both projects are under DAR-ARCP2 in Aurora town in Zamboanga del Sur. The construction of junction Poblacion to Bualan farm-tomarket road which is still under ARCP2 worth P 24.5 million is also underway.

DAR IX Regional Director Engr. Felix Aguhob stressed that:

ATTY. RAMON E. MADROÑAL, JR. ARD for ADMIN. & Legal Services

ENGR. AGNES Y. MAATA ARD for LTS/TASS

For inquiries, please write or call the DAR Regional Office IX, Veterans Avenue Extension, Zamboanga City Telephone No. (062) 955-2155 Email add: dar_reg9@yahoo.com.ph

“DAR officials are not permanently placed; they change. But you, residents, remain in the locality. So take care of the projects. Own them and keep them always clean to maintain their durability. In this way, the coming generations can still benefit from them.”(LQ Valdez)