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PAGES 8 PAGE 2 PAGE 5 SAFADECO satellite office opens in Irosin

Multi - million worth of infra projects turned over in ARC PAMAHIMA

Photo NewsFIRST FARM BUSINESS SCHOOL IN BICOL LAUNCHED

PAGES 6-7

180 farmers undergo training on organic crop production through FFS. story on page 2

see story on page 3

The new landowners from Capalonga with their CLOA, pose with the DARPO Camarines

Norte personnel headed by PARPO II Roseller Olayres (2nd from right).

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Cover StoryON THE COVERJULY-AUGUST 2015

At least 180 agrarian reform farmers from Camarines Sur are currently attending the farmers field schools (FFS) and being trained on organic crop production.

Said field schools are being carried out in selected agrarian reform areas that include Amoguis, Lagonoy; Danlog, San Jose; Buracan, Sagñay; Tinangis, Pili; and May-Ogob and San Antonio in the municipality of

Ocampo.

The program is part of the continuing agricultural extension support to Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture- Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The program is intended to promote organic farming, improve food security and rural income, and reduce poverty which are still prevalent in said areas and around the province.

Farmers are taking a season-long training program or a 16-week sessions for one day in a week to study proven agricultural practices, by which they can increase their yield and production and protect their crops. Farmers are also trained on producing organic fertilizers and pesticides which they can apply on their own farms.

FFS typically uses participatory approach learning process which are helpful in spreading and sharing the technologies they learned with each other.

“We want to make every farmer’s farms and backyards to be as productive as possible and turn their farms into business by making it a sustainable

venture for our local farmers and this is what DAR wants to replicate”, said Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Maria Gracia R. Sales.

“When we started, only a handful of farmers showed signs of interest and knew about what organic was. Now they understand it more and they are learning from field observations and experimentation. I can see now their minds are changing. Day by day, they are getting it”, she said.

Sales said the DAR has allocated more than P400,000 for the three-month training on organic vegetable, rice and corn production.

The farmers received planting materials from DAR and attend series of classes from planting until harvest which is facilitated by competent agricultural technicians from DA.

It is one way of helping the province attain its goal of food sustainability and agricultural productivity, “that’s why we (DAR) decided to train and continue encouraging our farmers produce organically grown crops”, said Sales.

She assured DAR will stay helping the farmers and told them to cooperate and work hard because such training would improve their quality of life. (Gerardo S. Buensalida)

The Department of Agrarian Reform here launched its first Farm Business School, August 17, 2015 at San Antonio, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. The Farm Business School (FBS) is implemented under the project “Capacity Building of Small Farmers in Entrepreneurship Development and Market Access”, through collaboration of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), and the local government units concerned.

Initially, a total of 35 farmers-members of Ayugan San Antonio Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ASAARCO) in San Antonio, Ocampo will undergo a series of group-based experiential learning activities or a 25-day training sessions (from August 17 to November 13) to help them learn and develop their capacity in running a profitable farm business for long-term sustainability. As a result, Farm Business Schools help family farms to access new markets and respond to ever-changing market demands.

Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Maria Gracia Sales, DA-ATI training superintendent Vivien Carable, DAR regional and provincial personnel, and local officials of the municipality of Ocampo graced the occasion. (Gerardo S. Buensalida)

180 farmers undergo trainingon organic crop production through FFS

FIRST FARM BUSINESS SCHOOL IN BICOL LAUNCHED

In photo (seated): ASAARCO chair Myrna N. Dimanarig, DA-ATI training superintendent Vivien Carable, DAR Camarines Sur II provincial chief Maria Gracia R. Sales, Ocampo agrarian reform program officer Ricardo Morante, and Bgy. Captain Pepito Elianza. Standing at the back are the 35 farmer-participants and DAR provincial personnel.

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FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTYJULY-AUGUST 2015

Rep. Leni Robredo (3rd District, Camarines Sur) presented before DSWD, DAR and DA officials the lessons learned and challenges facing the pilot implementation of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty in the Third District of Camarines Sur during the Echo Session of the Study Tour in Brazil and Meeting on PAHP Updates held at the Department of Social Welfare and Development central office in Quezon City, August 10, 2015.

Present were DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes, and other regional and national officials of the 3 departments.

Pilot areas for the PAHP program in Camarines Sur are San Antonio, Ocampo; Del Rosario, Pili; Bonot-Sta-Rosa, Calabanga; and Cararayan-Pacol-San Isidro in Naga City.

PHAP is a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agrarian Reform

(DAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to engage poor households and work closely with the rural communities to provide essential social and economic services toward eliminating hunger and alleviating poverty in the countryside

This collaborative multi-stakeholder program will target the creation of a community food hub (a localized version of Brazil’s community food banks) to serve as a facility that can store food items for the various feeding programs of the DSWD and other similar on the ground programs of other agencies like the education, health, and local government departments.

Local smallholder farmers will be tasked to ensure a steady food supply for various feeding programs. Because community food hubs will be used, partner beneficiaries will be empowered to become economically sustainable. This will ultimately benefit their families and communities.

(Gerardo S. Buensalida

Fourteen (14) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) finally got hold of the long awaited Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from DAR Provincial heads PARPO II Roseller Olayres and PARPO I Camilo Del Monte.

The distribution of CLOA happened on September 3, 2015 during the ARBs’ Forum conducted for the municipality of Daet, Camarines Norte at Brgy. Calasgasan. A total of 16.3045 hectares were distributed under the Compulsory Acquisition (CA) and Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT) schemes, where 9.2627 hectares came from the town of Capalonga and 7.0418 hectares from Daet.

Together with the CLOA, the ARBs also received the corresponding tax declaration of their landholdings. This policy issuance on the provision of Tax Declaration along with the CLOA is a brainchild of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) - Camarines Norte which aims at facilitating the instant payment of taxes of the awarded land by the ARBs to aid the government especially the Local Government Units to boost the tax collection on Real Property.

The distribution was assisted by OIC MARPO of Daet, Erlinda Lee and OIC MARPO of Capalonga, Bernie Flores, and the PARCCOM Officers headed by Chairperson Rosario Pascual.

The area distributed represents 0.67% of the total target of the province in terms of land acquisition and distribution (LAD). (Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Ann R. Botardo)

ARBs receive CLOAs in Camarines Norte

DAR-Masbate reorganizes SLP recipientsThe members of the Sustainable Area-based Rural

Enterprise Development (SARED) Section of DAR-Masbate’s Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) paid a visit to Balud, Masbate on August 14, 24 and 25, 2015 to reorganize the Peoples Organizations (POs) and Farmers Organizations (FOs) in the municipality.

These FOs and POs are the San Andres-Tambobo Farmers Organizations, Casamongan Farmers Organization, Dao Peoples Organization and Mabuhay Peoples Organization, all recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Project (SLP). The SLP, which will be implemented in 2016, has a total budget of One (1) Million pesos, to be divided equally among the recipient organizations.

The SARED team, headed by ARPO II Marialuz P. Azares together with staff members Ryan G. Goño, Bonalyn Zurbito Lanuza and Rey Oliva travelled the far flung barangays of Balud, a municipality 76.8 kilometers from Masbate City, to reorganize the FOs and POs and coordinate with them regarding the necessary preparations for the proposed Input Trading

Project under the SLP program of DAR.

The SARED staff validated the number of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and members of the organizations in the area who are target recipients of the program. They also conducted “pulong-pulong” wherein they interviewed the members of the organizations about livelihood needs and plans for their communities.

The San Andres-Tambobo FO which has sixty (60) members, Casamongan FO with forty-five (45) and Dao PO with eighty (80) want Swine Dispersal Livelihood project while Mabuhay PO which has the most number of members with one hundred eighty-five (185) need Farm Inputs.

“We need to reorganize and strengthen these FOs and POs so that DAR’s SLP project will have maximum

impact to their respective communities. The success of these projects will greatly depend upon its sustainability. We will guide them every step of the way to realize this,” ARPO II Marialuz P. Azares said. (Ross A. Lustestica)

An ARB from Capalonga receiving the CLOA from PARPO II Ross Olayres. Witnessing are (fr L) MARPO Bernie Flores, PARCCOM Chairperson Rosario Pascual, Provincial Assessor Virgilio Tuazon and PARPO I Camilo Del Monte.

The new set of elected officers of Casamongan Farmers Organization with their Chairman Ernesto Benig (in red shirt) and DAR-Masbate’s PBDD-SARED staff Bonalyn Z. Lanuza (rightmost) announcing their names and position in the organization. The Casamongan Farmers Organization is one of the four (4) organizations in the municipality of Balud which were chosen as recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DAR in 2016.

4 JULY-AUGUST 2015

Masbate ARBs take oath and sign APFU

In a legal point of view, a farmer-tenant becomes a legitimate and recognized beneficiary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) after he/she has taken oath before a Municipal Trial Court (MTC) Judge, and has signed the Application to Purchase and Farmers Undertaking (APFU).

This procedure is provided under Section 60 of DAR Administrative Order No. 7, Series of 2011, wherein a Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) is required to assist qualified farmer-tenants to personally appear before an MTC Judge and swear that they will cultivate the lands awarded to them, fulfill the amortizations in the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and pay the land taxes to the government. They are also required to sign the APFU which basically embodies their intent to perform all legal obligations and responsibilities of an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB).

This is what took place in two separate undertakings last August 26 and 28, 2015 in the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs) of Pio V. Corpus/Cataingan and

Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson.

The first was in the 6th MCTC of Pio V. Corpus/Cataingan wherein MARPO Rolando F. Sullano of DARMO-Cataingan/Pio V. Corpus presented to the Court’s Presiding Judge Mary Flor Tabigue-Logarta thirty-five (35) qualified ARBs of an agricultural land, part and parcel of the Legarda Estate, which was voluntarily offered by Rita Legarda, Inc. to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for acquisition and distribution.

The 35 ARBs from barangay Bagumbayan in Cataingan are beneficiaries of two (2) lots with Title Numbers T-13690 and T-13692 covering an area of 39.3897 and

26.9458 hectares respectively. According to MARPO Sullano, this is just one of the many batches of ARBs who will be awarded lands from the 261.4653-hectare portion of the vast Legarda Estate which was acquired by the DAR through the Voluntary Offer to Sell scheme

The ceremony was facilitated by the DARMO-Cataingan/Pio V. Corpus staff members, ARPT/DF Gilbert L. Dela Peña, ARPT Imelda B. Mahayag, Jose Ramiro Ramirez, and Reynan Pugado; and MCTC staff, Clerk of Court II Ma. Bella C. Bailon and Jr. Process Server Perfecto A. Tamayo II. MARPO Joselito T. Caleza of DARMO-Placer/Esperanza and his staff were also present during the activity to show their support.

The second activity was held in the MCTC of Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson which is presided by Hon. Judge Fred Aguilar Bien. The ceremony was participated by three (3) DAR Municipal Offices, namely, DARMOs Uson South, Uson North and

Dimasalang, headed by MARPO Antonio B. Rosario, OIC-MARPO Ruben S. Franco and MARPO Alexander B. Delera, respectively.

DARMO-Uson South has the most number of ARBs with a total of twenty-five (25). They are the beneficiaries of five (5) landholdings consisting an aggregate area of 49.4667 hectares, located in barangays Aurora, San Ramon and Mabuhay.

For DARMO-Uson North, there were ten (10) ARBs who qualified for the two (2) landholdings owned by Conchita Lim and Eduardo Sia, with Title Numbers T-5654 and T-13201, consisting an area of 14.5677 and 14.4422 hectares, respectively. These landholdings are located in barangays Panicijan and Libertad.

On the other hand DARMO-Dimasalang has four qualified ARBs for the 5.1497-hectare property of Bibiana Certifico located in barangay Buracan.

Judge Bien administered the ARBs’ oath in separate batches since he wanted to personally validate the identity and actual number of the beneficiaries per landholding. His strict and meticulous approach in dealing with the process is somewhat associated with his keen knowledge of CARP-related rules and procedures since he was once a DAR employee.

“Once you have taken the oath and signed the APFU you immediately become bound by law to fulfill your duties and responsibilities as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries exactly as you have stated them out loud before me.” Judge Bien said repeatedly after every batch of ARBs took their oath.

The ARB oath taking and signing of APFU was facilitated by the hardworking staff of the three (3) DARMOs and the MCTC Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson, namely, ARPTs Ricky R. Tambal, Feliciano B. Delera, Edna C. Vallena and technical staff members, Iphrahim Rebaya, Rocelyn Palanas, Jessa Donieto, Marilou Conde, Clerk of Court II Magin P. Salipot, Clerk II Rosie E. Adigue and Jr. Process Server Apolinario E. Nene. (Ross A. Lustestica)

Hon. Judge Fred Aguilar Bien (extreme left) administering the ARBs’ oathtaking in Uson, Masbate, with OIC-MARPO Ruben S. Franco (in blue shirt) witnessing the significant event.

A three-day Skills Enhancement for DAR Region V Legal Sector was held on August 26-28, 2015 at Hotel Villa Caceres in Naga City as part of the management’s strategy to continuously educate the said sector with the new administrative rules and guidelines as well as recent cases decided upon in relation to the implementation of the CARPER program.

DAR officials who are expert on the topics lined-up for discussion served as the resource persons during said activity – former Undersecretary turned consultant Atty. Augusto P. Quijano, BALA Director Atty. Maria Celestina M. Tam, BALA Executive Assistant III Oscar Santos, Asst. Dir. Samuel Solomero, Asst. Dir. Rodrigo Realubit, Atty. Jaime Resoco, Jr. and Atty. Ramon Cabanes, Jr; likewise, CSC Director II Jocelyn Lozada-Marifosque.

Atty. ResocoARDA Rod Atty. Quijano Atty. Tam ARDO Sam

DARAB V MID YEAR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LCMS CLEANSING AND TRAINING WORKSHOP. Said activity was conducted in order to have a clear vision and specific goals on how to accomplish targets and its increments and to ensure that the LCMS templates for every PARAD office will be updated, cleansed and sustained in line with the DAR’s mandate of uniformity in data tracking and overall monitoring efficiency.

With the concerted plan of action, DARAB V will be capacitated to perform towards zero backlog target. Shared best practices will be documented and replicated as they may be applicable only in Agrarian Legal Sector but also in other MFPs within the sphere of DAR.

Photo shows PARAD Romer Montales, RARAD Alberto Besinal, PARAD Raddy Tolentino and PARAD Gene Villareal with the DARAB V personnel. (Flora A. Serra)

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Salvacion Farmers Development Cooperative (SAFADECO) once again has proven its competence in financial management as it opens a satellite office in Alonzo St., San Juan, Irosin, Sorsogon.

SAFADECO is a farmer’s organization in Salvacion, Sorsogon City which engages in copra trading and operates a consumer store. It was registered in Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as cooperative in March 9, 2010, and caters four barangays in Sorsogon City. As the Department of Agrarian Reform teamed up with the National Confederation of Cooperatives, SAFADECO became the recipient of MiCoop@ARAs program which gave way to the cooperative’s savings and credit business launched on October 9, 2012 at Jamoralin St., Burabod, Sorsogon City, extending its coverage to the municipalities of Casiguran and Castilla; and the City of Sorsogon.

According to Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, SAFADECO’s General Manager, it was the year when they enthusiastically “knocked” unto the hearts and minds of their prospect members. It was SAFADECO’s historic period as the cooperative management team zealously gave its best to sustain the trust and confidence of everybody especially the pioneer members. Their efforts proved to be worthy as they made their operations province wide. Eventually, a satellite office in Irosin, Sorsogon was launched on July 9, 2015.

“I’m very glad that SAFADECO has now a satellite office. At first, when NATCCO offered this partnership, I was hesitant; I didn’t want to put our cooperative at risk. But today, seeing how far our services have reached, I am satisfied and thankful especially to the effort and dedication of our staff for the effective and efficient operation of the cooperative as well as to the NATCCO’s area manager for his perpetual support,” BOD Chairperson Tita L. Desquitado said during the launching.

SAFADECO has a five-year contract with NATCCO which will end in 2017. The area manager was so pleased witnessing the success of SAFADECO after the challenges it had overcome.

“Now, it has many members, the operation is excellent, and the camaraderie of officers, staff, and members is great. NATCCO is just here all the time to assist in your operation of micoop program. Since our five-year contract is almost at end, if your operation sustained its performance, you can buy out from NATCCO. A one million income this year is still small. But if everybody will work hard to hit the

one million target this year, that would be SAFADECO’s first one million income,” Area Manager Pura said, challenging the cooperative.

DAR Sorsogon too, feels satisfied of SAFADECO’s achievement. This is indeed an evidence of farmers empowerment.

“I am very happy and proud because the cooperative which has been once DAR’s baby is now grown-up while broadening the area that it serves. DAR will always be here to support your program. I will wait and expect for that one million income achievement, wishing that your prestigious performance will remain,” PARPO Leonito Gaveria said.

SAFADECO’s satellite office is open to serve Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and during Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN. Pre-membership education seminar is conducted during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00 AM. (Alura A. Jaso)

JULY-AUGUST 2015

More than 100 Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) officers and members in Albay attended the series of capability enhancement training.

The BARC as the smallest unit implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) plays a vital role in facilitating the land acquisition and distribution (LAD). It is multi-sectoral body composed of government and private sector representatives. It serves as the mediator and conciliator between parties involved in agrarian disputes. Among its specific functions are: (a) assist the DAR personnel in the identification of qualified-beneficiaries, as well as of landowners and their landholdings within the barangay; (b) verify and attest to the accuracy of the initial parcellary mapping of the prospective beneficiaries’ tillage; (c) assist the LBP in the initial determination of the value of the land to be covered by CARP;

(d) coordinate the delivery of support services to the CARP beneficiaries.

With such gargantuan tasks, the enhancement training for the BARC aims to increase access and speed up the acquisition and distribution of lands through the active participation of the BARC. Specifically, the training aims to assist the BARC in resolving land tenure issues and other agrarian related concerns through a continuing information and education that will enhance and upgrade their knowledge, attitudes and skills; to assist in strengthening and capacitating selected BARC in barangays with high LAD balances; to provide technical assistance to MARPOs and technical personnel in the identification of lands for coverage; validation of qualifications of identified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs); assist in determining lands that can be placed under leasehold in the identified provinces; and to engage in networking with agrarian reform advocates

for policy reforms in resolving agrarian reform issues.

Likewise, the training which was held in Polangui, Pioduran, Ligao City, Tabaco City and Daraga, Albay, respectively, aims to enhance the capacity of the BARC on the different laws and issuances relative to mediation and conciliation. This will guide the BARC in facilitating the LAD and resolve agrarian issues and concerns.

This capability enhancement is basically an integration of the land tenure improvement (LTI) and Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) interphase of CARP. In as much as CARP is a multi-sectoral agency, we recognize the indispensable part of the BARC in achieving what the program to gain – a successful and meaningful agrarian reform program. (Ancie L. Lawenko)

DAR Albay spearheads Capability Enhancement Training for

BARC Officers and Members

SAFADECO satellite office opens in Irosin

Participants of the Cluster 3 BARC Enhancement Training at Carolyna Hotel & Restaurant, Tabaco CIty with ARPO II Leonardo S. Araya and OIC-CARPO for PBDD Engr. Herbert V. Tengco.

DAR Sorsogon headed by PARPO II Leonito Gaveria (5th from right) poses with SAFADECO’s BOD, COMAT, & NATCCO Area Manager during the launching of the SAFADECO satellite office in Irosin, Sorsogon

6 PHOTO NEWS

GPIFA now reaping what it sowed This demo farm of the G. del Pilar Farmer’s Association (GPIFA) is now teeming with healthy organic vegetables produce. You name it – “upo”, “ampalaya”, beans, “pechay”, eggplant, and red pepper. These reds, violets and greens hang regally in their turf, ready for harvest.Said vegetable garden which covers 600 square meters is devoted to organic agriculture which the GPIFA, an agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) in Bulan, Sorsogon, learned from the trainings conducted by the East West Seeds Corporation. The corporation also sponsored the inputs of this demo farm amounting to Php15,000.00 with an agreement that the ARBO will give half of the farm’s income to the sponsor every harvest period.According to Mr. Elmor Judit, member of Audit and Inventory Committee of the GPIFA and who also manages the farm, he applied everything he learned from the organic agriculture training – from soil preparation to planting to maintaining the farm. Like covering the plots with plastic mulch so weeds would not grow; using organic fertilizer from vermiculture and fish amino acid combined with molasses; and spraying grind red pepper to get rid of the worms and insects. Moreover, flowering plants such as marigold, xenia and cosmos were planted around the garden to ward off harmful insects.As the GPIFA gets a taste of the first harvest from its sweet labor in July and August, we envision more bountiful and healthy yields in the near future for this hardworking group.

(Alura A. Jaso)

EMPOWERING WOMEN. DAR Sorsogon conducted another livelihood project for the G. Del Pilar Farmers’ Association (GPIFA) in Bulan, Sorsogon. This time, the women-members learned the skills on pattern and dress making from the very deft Ms. Lucy Vitug (center, yellow shirt) of the Program Beneficiaries Development. It turned out to be real fruitful as the group presented their output in this photo – a school uniform (blouse and skirt), and an apron. Said training is just one of the many being conducted by the office under the Gender and Development (GAD) program. Also in photo are the PBD personnel. (Alura A. Jaso)

DAR Camarines Sur I conducted the Symposium on Servanthood in Public Service” on August 20, 2015 at the Avenue Square Convention, Naga City with the theme “Serve the People for the Glory of God.” Speakers include Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, Ateneo de Naga University president Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr., SJ, and Provincial Director II of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Camarines Sur. In the photo seated from left are OIC-CARPO Agusto Medina of Beneficiaries Development Division, Engr. Renato Bequillo of Admin & Finance, OIC-PARPO I Raquel Claveria, Fr. Viray, PARPO II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico, and Atty.Antonio Ricardo P. Tejada of the Legal Division. Standing at the back are the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) who enthusiastically serve for God’s glory. (Jose D. Co)

JULY-AUGUST 2015

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING. The DAR-Catanduanes personnel led by PARPO Alex Teves were one in doing all the simulation activities in responding to emergencies in the workplace such as earthquake, fire, and other natural disasters. The Virac Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council headed by Bobby Monterola, the Bureau of Fire, the Philippine National Red Cross, and the Philippine National Police conducted the training at DAR-Catanduanes on July 22-23, 2015 under the auspices of the agency’s Gender and Development (GAD) thrust. (Eduardo S. Villar)

Women ARBs pose with the DAR-CN GAD Vice Chairperson Eleanor Magana (L) and PBD Staff Julie Botardo (R) after the Symposium on Women’s Rights.

GAD reach out for women-ARBs.Thirty (30) women Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries were tapped to attend the ‘One-day Symposium on Women’s Rights and Government Social Protection Services and Welfare Programs’. The activity is part of the 2015 Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget that upholds the rights of women. The DAR not only seeks for social justice in terms of providing economic-size family farms to landless farmers but also it aims to promote the well-being of its beneficiaries. Part of this is equipping the ARBs especially the women with necessary interventions to uphold their general welfare as a whole.

Except for the rights of women, the ARBs were also oriented on various social benefits and welfare programs to increase their awareness on social protection programs.

The DAR partners with the PNP – Women’s Desk Office of Camarines Norte, Social Security System and Bureau of Internal Revenue in conducting the said activity. (Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Ann R. Botardo)

7PHOTO NEWS

IPAC to PDC.OIC PARPO I Herald R. Tambal (Front-Left), presents and seeks the indorsement of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Masbate headed by its Presiding Officer and Acting Governor Vicente Homer B. Revil (Front-Right), the Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness (IPAC) project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The IPAC project is set to be implemented next year in the ARC cluster of Balud, Aroroy and Mandaon. Being a “proposal driven” project, the IPAC aims to provide FOs (Farmers Organizations) and smallholder-farmers facilities for sustainable production, farming technology and infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation system and bridges, that could transform them into competitive farmer-entrepreneurs.

(Ross A. Lustestica)

JULY-AUGUST 2015

TURN OVER OF COMMON SERVICE FACILITIES The Honorable Cesar V. Sarmiento, Congressman of the Lone District of Catanduanes, was guest of honor during the hand-over of brand new Common Service Facilities (CSFs) to CARP farmer beneficiaries from Gigmoto, Caramoran, Virac, and Viga in simple rites held at DAR Provincial Office compound, Virac, Catanduanes on June 22, 2015. The farm implements were provided by DAR under its Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) program which supports mechanized farming to improve net income from the farmlands. PARPO Alexander Teves, and PBD CARPO Nerisa Aldea led the DAR-Catanduanes staff in the ceremonies, particularly ensuring the recipients’ commitment during the signing of Trust Agreement. (Eduardo S. Villar)

Policy Making for APCP. NINE Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs) successfully finished the three-day training on Policy Making conducted by DAR Sorsogon under the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP). “This is just a continuation of the previous trainings under APCP which you have attended to strengthen and enlighten your organization,” Leonito M. Gaveria, OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, said.Resource speaker Ms. Lucia S. Vitug taught them the role of policies and policy formulation in the organization; the factors to be considered and principles of good policy formulation; and other things about policies which ends with the participant’s practicum.The participants expressed their appreciation for the effort of DAR Sorsogon. According to Ruel Estabile, Chairperson of ABFIA, while their organization is doing their best to learn, DAR is doing it possible for them. According to Carlos Felices and Leonora Lajota, officers of ATABIA and BACIA the training facilitated by Maribel Lubiano did not only give them additional knowledge but it also gave them the opportunity to know each other, and to be united for one purpose.“Camaraderie is so alive. We truly feel the love of DAR,” Pedro Lopez, BOD member of MAFA said.Witnessing the three days performance of ARBs in the training was OIC-PARPO I Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr. who was greatly impressed. “The participants are all smart. You are very participative, and alive. The policies that you make have a very good objective. You know how to explain your output because you are sincere to strengthen your organization,” he said during the trainees’ graduation. (Alura A. Jaso)

Strengthening DAR-DENR partnership, Officials pose for a souvenir shot during a recently concluded DAR-DENR meeting at Kanzo Restaurant, (standing from L-R) DAR Sorsogon PARPO Leonito Gaveria, PENRO - Sorsogon Imelda Baltazar with other two officials, CARPO Armando Sales Jr., Eng. Gilbert Lomeda of DARPO Cam Norte, Cam Norte PARPO II Ross Olayres, (sitting L-R) RD Luis B. Bueno Jr., DENR Asst. RD Al O. Orolfo,ARDO Samuel Solomero and CARPO Nida Santiago of DARRO V (Reuben R. Loria)

Representatives of Mayon Farmers’ Association (MAFA), Bangate Multipurpose Cooperative (BAMUCO), Capuy Basud Multipurpose Cooperative (CABAMUCO), Monbon Farmers’ Association (MONFA), A. Bonifacio Farmers and Irrigators’ Association (ABFIA), Bigkis can mga Paraoma sa Bulan, Bigkis Cooperative in Irosin, Bagacay Contod Irrigators’ Assocition (BACIA), Ariman Tabi Buenavista Irrigators’ Association (ATABIA), DAR and SIDECO Personnel.

The DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations, Jose Z. Grageda (2nd from left) visited the DAR Provincial Office of Masbate on July 16, 2015 to have a conference with OIC-PARPO II Felix E. Fruto (3rd from left), OIC-PARPO I Herald R. Tambal (extreme left), LTID OIC-CARPO Delia R. Amante (front-right facing USEC Grageda) and the rest of the staff of the Land Tenure and Improvement Division of DAR-Masbate. According to Usec. Grageda, his main objective in visiting DAR-Masbate is to carefully look at its latest LAD data/status and suggest strategies and plans that could help accomplish its 2015 LAD target and commitment. (Ross A. Lustestica)

8

Bicol’s Agrarian Reform Information Service

A bi-monthly publication of the Department of Agrarian Reform

Regional Office 5, Lakandula Drive, Gogon Legazpi City

EDITORIAL STAFFMARIA TRINISE VASQUEZ-GENERAL

Editor

JAKE L. ROLDANLay-out / Graphic Artist

SENIOR WRITERS

ANCIE L. LAWENKOAlbay

NILLA P. LAGATUZCamarines Norte

JOSE D. COCamarines Sur A

GERARDO S. BUENSALIDACamarines Sur B

EDUARDO S. VILLARCatanduanes

ROSS A. LUSTESTICAMasbate

ALURA A. JASOSorsogon

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

LUIS B. BUENO, JR.Regional Director

RODRIGO O. REALUBIT, CESO VIOIC-Director III

SAMUEL S. SOLOMEROOIC-Director III

For inquiries, please write or call the DAR Regional Office:

(052) 435-0258 480-5180 480-5181

darro5info@yahoo.com

facebook.com/DARRegion5

Multi- million worth of infra projects turned over in ARC PAMAHIMA

More than Php22 million worth of projects ranging from post-harvest facilities to Communal Irrigation Project were turned over to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations of Mercedes, Camarines Norte on August 14, 2015.

Funded under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Projects Phase III (ARISP 3), the projects include: a) Warehouse with capacity of 3500 cavans and floor area of 105 sq. m. b) Office with floor area of 49 sq. m. and c) Solar Dryer with an area of 360 sq. m. Another is a Communal Irrigation Project worth more than Php17 M.

The ribbon cutting and turn-over ceremonies were led by DAR V Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr, and Mayor Alexander Pajarillo Lo of the town of Mercedes, assisted by Asst Regional Director for Administration Rod Realubit, Cam Norte PARO II Ross Olayres, NIA Regional Manager Vicmundo and the barangay councils of Masalongsalong and Pambuhan,

Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

The warehouse is expected to benefit 500 ARBs who are members of MMPC. The need for warehouse was identified by the Masalongsalong Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC) considering their copra trading business at present. This warehouse responds to the needs of the ARBOs whose products are harvested in a particular season but are demanded throughout the year as in the case of coconut and copra. It also aids in the maximum utilization of lands that leads to increased productivity, food security and poverty reduction.

Meanwhile the CIP for Atongon Irrigators Association Incorporated (AIAI) will irrigate at least 100 - hectare rice land. The extreme eagerness to maximize the lands, majority of the ARBs converted their coco lands into hundred-hectare rice lands in order to boost their agricultural yield and sustain the rice sufficiency in the

barangay.

Mayor Lo and the Chairmen of the two ARBOs, Badinas and Molina were bereft of words to express their gratefulness when they finally signed and received the turn-over documents from RD Bueno and PARPO Olayres of DAR. Moreover, as a matter of support to the projects, some of the officials of the town pledged an active support for the projects. The recipient ARB Organizations were also thankful for the huge benefits the projects would bring to the ARC and ARBs.

These multi-million Communal Irrigation Project is the first ARISP III irrigation project that had been completed in DAR Camarines Norte. ARISP III is a foreign-assisted project funded under the 27th Yen Loan Package of the Government of Japan under the JICA. Two more irrigation projects located in Sta. Elena are ongoing construction and soon to benefit more ARBs. (Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Botardo)

DAR BICOL ON AIR. Left photo shows co-anchors PIO Ross Lustestica and OIC-PARPO I Herald R. Tambal during the launching of DAR-Masbate’s radio program “TeleRadyo Agraryo: Yana kag Buwas,” July 2, 2015. The program broadcasts live every Thursday and Friday, 6:00 to 7:00 in the morning at DYME-Masbate. Meanwhile, right photo shows RD Luis B. Bueno, Jr. (foreground, left) as guest in one of the live broadcasts of DARRO V’s “Paraoma Ika An Bida!” which is aired on simulcast over the six provinces of Bicol region & some neighboring provinces of other regions, through PBN Broadcasting Network (DZGB-Legazpi/DZMD-Daet/DZMS-Sorsogon) every Thursday at 11:00 -11:45 am, and co-anchored by Ms. Maria Trinise Vasquez-General, Mr. Reuben R. Loria and Mr. Carlolindo S. Manuel. Said shows are just two of the four radio programs being carried out by DAR Bicol as part of its Public Relations Information and Social Marketing Advocacy and Campaign. (MTVGeneral)

JULY-AUGUST 2015

Mayor Lo of Mercedes, CN (2nd from left) receiving the turn-over documents from RD Luis B. Bueno Jr. (2nd from right) Witnessing are Engr. Rogelio King of NIA (extreme left) and PARPO II Ross Olayres (extreme right).