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DAR Bicol to distribute more than 30,000 hectares of land for 2014

Photo NewsPAGE 6

ARCCESS: a pioneering breakthrough in Bicol agriculture

On Page 3

On Page 2

PAGE 2 DAR Provides P3.75-M Infra For Cam Sur Farmers

PAGE 4 Burabod ARC Thrives With Potable Water and Free Cooking Gas

PAGE 5 DAR V Optimistic with Optool

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Local farmers and residents of Ocampo, Camarines Sur are now enjoying brisk economic activities following the construction of the Sitio Francia farm-to-market road (FMR) worth P3 million under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ramon B. Fuentebella recently led the turnover of the road along with Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to the local government of Ocampo.

The concreting of the 300-meter Sitio Francia FMR is part of the 1.5-kilometer access road funded through the DAR-Agrarian Reform Support Project (ARSP), a joint undertaking of the Philippines government and the European Union (EU) in 1997.

Fuentebella said that more than 700 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and the residents of Ocampo and its neighboring towns now benefit from the road as it shortens the route from May-ogob to Pinit and Ocampo by 10 kilometers. “Unlike before people used to pass through four barangays, which covers about 15 kilometers, before reaching Pinit and Ocampo towns,” said Fuentebella.

“This road will lessen transportation cost of farmers and residents and reduce travel time to the market centers,” added Fuentebella.

In the same occasion, the Department of Agrarian

Reform (DAR) also turned over a 420 sq. meter solar dryer that was accessed by the DAR through the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Sitio Francia road project and the solar dryer were funded under the Farm Mechanization Project of the DA while the concreting of the FMR road was part of the convergence initiative of the DAR and DA.

“The flat-bed solar dryer worth P 750,000 is a big help for our 185 ARBs in Ocampo. They now dry their harvested palay on concrete instead of drying them on soil. The concrete speeds up the drying process and its more hygienic,” Fuentebella said.

Rep. Robredo, expressed joy for the infrastructure projects that DAR has afforded to Camarines Sur.

The DAR assisted the May-Ogob Agrarian Reform Cooperative in preparing their documents for the realization of the Sitio Francia road and the solar dryer which was endorsed by Robredo to the Department of Agriculture for funding in 2013. (PAMRS w/ reports from Carla Yu)

ON THE COVER

Ferdinand U. Takata, Technical Staff of Agr i Components Co. (center) inst ructs the members of Kamani tohan AR C I r r igators Associat ion (KAR CIA) on the proper loading of r ice seedl ings us ing the mechanical r ice t ransplanter dur ing thei r fie ld demonst rat ion at one of the r ice fie lds in Barangay Pawa, Mani to, A lbay on Januar y 24, 2014.

The act i v i ty i s par t the on-going Agrar ian Reform Community Connect i v i ty and Economic Suppor t Ser v ices (AR CCESS) Pro ject dubbed as “Modernized R ice Product ion, P rocess ing and Market ing in Kamani tohan AR C, Mani to, A lbay.

Camanitohan ARC in Manito, Albay was launched in

1993 covering the barangays of Buyo and Cawayan. In

2000, the ARC was expanded covering the barangays

of Cabacong, Malobago, Tinapian, Bamban, Pawa, and

Balasbas.

Like any other farmer groups in the communities, the

Kamanitohan ARC Irrigators Association (KARCIA) in Pawa,

Manito, Albay longs for a strong, progressive and dynamic

community with empowered people’s organizations.

With the implementation of Agrarian Reform Community

Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS)

program, another hope is born that put stars in their eyes to

mobilize and work together to realize their goals.

DAR Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II

Engr. Romulo A. Britanico said he is impressed by the way

of cooperation shared between the officers of KARCIAwith

regard to ARCCESS Program. “It’s amazing to see them all

(officers) present every time we call for a meeting considering

their pending farming activities and distance to be traveled

to reach our office.” PARPO II Britanico expressed.

The Kamanitohan ARC Irrigators Association (KARCIA)

is fortunate when their proposed project dubbed as

Modernized Rice Production and Marketing was included

in the first batch of approved ARCCESS projects in the

province of Albay. Through ARCCESS, their association

was awarded with2 units of hand tractor with implements,

2 units of reaper, 1 unit of thresher, 2 units of mechanical

transplanter, 1 unit of seed conveyor, and 8,000 pcs of rice

seedling tray. These common service facilities amounting

to PhP 2.1 M will benefit 262 rice farmers covering 100

hectares of irrigated rice farms. This is aside from various

trainings that are identified in the Needs Assessment and

Design Analysis (NADA) conducted by the Bicol University

Extension Services that will include trainings/mentoring on

organizational development, agri-production technology,

enterprise management and marketing, among others. All

these will be addressed through provision of Professional

Service Provider (PSP), another component of ARCCESS

that includes agri-extension services, business development

services, and process documentation.

With experienced operators, the machine can transplant

four (4) hectares of rice paddies for eight-hour day operation.

According to KARCIA President Honorato Poche with

constant practice in the use of the mechanical transplanter,

transplanting will be made fast and easy for rice farmers.

“What we like in this machine is its capacity to create equal

seedling distances and equal number of seedlings per hill

which facilitate harvesting and reduces quantity of seed

requirements on a hectare basis.” Poche declared.

The implementation of ARCCESS project in Camanitohan

ARC is a pioneering breakthrough in modern agriculture in

the province of Albay. With this project, it is projected that

covered farmers will generate a net income of

PhP20,000.00which is 178.3 percent higher than the

traditional way of farming. (George P. Olayres)

ARCCESS: a pioneering breakthrough in Bicol agriculture

Cover Story

DAR Provides P3.75-M Infra For Cam Sur Farmers

DAR CS II OIC-PARPO Ramon B. Fuentebella with Congresswoman for District III Leni Robredo during the inauguration of the 300-m Farm-to-Market-Road at Sitio Francia, May-ogob which was sourced out by DARPO CS II, PBD through the Department of Agriculture. The access road shortens route from May-ogob to Pinit and Ocampo town by 10 kms. Where before, four barangays were traversed to reach Ocampo (Hanawan, Pinit, Hibago, San Francisco) from May-ogob which covers about 15 kms, now the access road goes straight to Pinit and Ocampo. This benefits 300 farmer-beneficiaries in transporting their produce to the main town with less transport cost, cheaper goods to the consumers and increase in income for the farmers

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The newly elected Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) in the province of Camarines Norte have formally taken their oath of office on January 16, 2014 before DAR Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr. The PSRs

also underwent a 3-day Orientation & Enhancement Seminar on February 23-24, 2014 at DARPO Conference Hall, Daet, Camarines Norte spearheaded by the Provincial Program Beneficiaries and Development Division (PPBDD) headed by CARPO Salve Noami Lo and PARPO II Engr. Jesus Dela Rosa. This orientation has been part of the process of learning given by the DAR Management to the new officers and a sort of review and update to the re-elected

representatives to acclimatize themselves to the goings-on of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as amended by CARP Extension with Reforms (CARPER) or R.A. 9700 in Camarines Norte. The orientation seminar were graced by Regional Director Luis Bueno and Asst. Regional Director for Operations Rod Realubit who found time to interact with the group of newbie representatives and shed light on some queries directed to them. The new batch of PARCCOM Officers will serve until 2016 as policy formulating and monitoring body of the Department of Agrarian Reform as mandated by Administrative Order No. Series of 1997. (ningpercillagatuz)

“What we are going to do today is the equivalent of street to

street, house to house fighting. This time around I am going to do it on a per landholding basis, we’re going to look at your data bases. We’re going around all over each town, each province so by the end of the session, we can already look at what we need to deliver and find out if it’s really doable or not,” stated DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes during his visit in Bicol for the Back to Back Recalibration & Validation on Land Tenure Service (LTS) & Technical Advisory and Support Services (TASS) at the La Roca Suites & Restaurant in Legazpi City, February 3-4, 2014.

The outspoken Secretary is resolute in his stand to finish the acquisition and distribution of still close to one million hectares of lands, hence he has been going around each region with the two teams from the Field Operations Office, to validate the targets by reviewing the nature and status of the LAD balances; to closely scrutinize every landholding and determine what hinders the attainment of the targets, to ensure the accuracy of the deliverables this year.

He implored to achieve the targets set because “it is ungainly that targets go out the bottom line only to be reduced by the time June comes and by the time December rolls around, the excuses of previous years, play a sad refrain.”

The Department has a commitment of more than 300,000 hectares of lands to be distributed this year and Bicol will play a significant role in its realization since a big portion of the share will come from the region.

DAR Bicol has a total target of 31,484 hectares of lands for distribution this year which comprises the LAD interrupted and pipeline in 2013, and new lands for 2014.

During his interview with the media, delos Reyes said that the slow turn out in the land distribution in Bicol for the past year is not m a i n l y because of the landowners’ resistance but more on the various technical problems and erroneous or unavailability of documents that hound the documentation process. One case is the destruction of land titles when the office of the Registry of Deeds (ROD) in Camarines Sur hit fire a few years back. Because of this, retitling of lands is necessary and would entail further research, and in a number of instances, have to be reconstituted by the courts. Not to mention that said

province shares the largest chunk when it comes to the volume in LAD coverage in the region, hence, such feat (retitling) requires more time to accomplish. Moreover, small landholdings are predominant in the region which is more taxing and complex to cover.

When asked whether the Department would be able to meet the set deadline in the land and acquisition program, delos Reyes honestly declared that it will really be hard but quickly assured that the remaining balance will proceed its distribution even after June 2014.

Sec t ion 30 of RA 9700 states that land acquisit ion

and distribution may proceed for landholdings with pending proceedings even after the June 2014. A DOJ opinion concurs with this view and furthermore, the 2014 General Appropriations Act bolsters this view.

On Program Beneficiaries Development side, the Secretary emphasized the need for flexibility and adherence to the call of change. “Times have changed, situations have changed. We must learn to adapt. It

is time we change things,” he said.

Secretary delos Reyes explained that when giving interventions, we must remember who are our target beneficiaries are; times change and people change thus interventions must be fitting to the present times.

The Department has enough resources, and funds for support services are now readily made available for the FBs, but we need more coaches to work on our farmer-beneficiaries, he said.

“Gone are the days when we

would only act as trainers but this time, we should be coaches.” He elaborated that trainers are different from coaches; trainers are present before the game while coaches are part of the game and play the game.

With Secretary delos Reyes, Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Grageda and Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina Bistoyong were also in attendance for the two-day activity, to act as panelists for the FOO and SSO workshop presentation, respectively.

Usec. Grageda imparted that DAR’s CY2013 accomplishment is highest under the present Administration and that the Compulsary Acquisition (CA) accomplishment is highest in seven years, from 2006. He also shared that 32 provinces achieved or exceeded target and these provinces contributed 75% of total accomplishment.

Moreover, he stressed that DAR strategizes to improve the land tenure security of the ARBs, establish a stable agrarian property rights regime and create a sustainable livelihood for ARBs.

“Clearly, CARP implementation or Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) is not simply a numbers game,” Grageda said. (mtvgeneral)

ON THE SPOTLIGHT. Secretary Gil de los Reyes talks to the local media about DAR’s plans for the year.

“Times have changed, situations have changed. We must learn to adapt. It is time we change things.” -Secretary Gil de los Reyes

DAR Bicol to distribute more than 30,000 hectares of land for 2014

Cam. Norte PARCCOM PSRs take oath, attend orientation & enhancement seminar

MORE HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE. USEC Jose Z. Grageda (second from left) of the Field Operations Office discusses some issues with SEC Virgilio delos Reyes (fourth from left), Engr. Joey G. Sumatra (third from left) Assistant Director of the Bureau of Land Tenure and Improvement, Luis Bueno Regional Director of Region 5 (far right) and Samuel R. Ongcal Jr. (far left) PARPO of Masbate .

DAR Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr. (rightmost) administers the oath to the newly elected PARCCOM Private Sector Representatives (L-R) Edison Sierte, Gil Del Barrio, Atty. Pet Español, Vicente Raviz, Edgar Lamadrid & Salvacion Dizon.

A THUMBS-Up for the new set of PARCCOM Private Sector Representatives (L-R) PARCCOM Secretariat Annie Gadil, Edgar Lamadrid (Cultural Minorities), Edison Sierte (PSR F/FW Major Crop), Gil Del Barrio(PSR Landowner-Minor Crop), Atty. Pet Español (PSR Landowner Major Crop), Vicente Raviz (PSR Farmers Org), Regional Director Luis Bueno, Jr.. PARCCOM Chairperson Rosario Pascual, NGO Rep Salvacion Dizon, OPAg rep Manuel Del Rosario, Rodolfo Salamero (PSR Agri-coop), PARPO II Jesus De la Rosa, & CARPO Salve Noami A. Lo.

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The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Catanduanes has launched the Community-Managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) Project in barangay Bon-ot, San Andres town on January 17, 2014.

PARPO Teves, in his message revealed that the project is the first in the province, and features low-cost water supply technology and sanitation systems in Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), improving access of basic services, partnership, and community-based social services. In Bon-ot, one of the 15 barangays covered by SAHA ARC in San Andres, the water project has a unique add-on in terms of putting-up piglets dispersal as its livelihood component,

as informed by John Joseph Camu, DAR Point Person on CPWASH. He said that the potable water sanitation system under the project will install iron removal filter, bio-sand filter, rainwater collector, and biogas digester.

Mayor Peter Cua of San Andres thanked the DAR for this project, and approved a P50,000.00 LGU counterpart for labor cost and water analysis out of its P155,000.00 total

cost funded by DAR.

The launching also featured the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among key project players, PARPO Alexander Teves (DAR), Hon. Mayor Peter C. Cua (MLGU), Hon. Gaspar Santelices (BLGU, Bon-ot), and Mr. Demetrio Rodriguez Jr. (farmers’ association) where obligations of all parties were stated and explained during the ceremonies by CARPO Nerissa Aldea. She added that the project also provides capacity development, enterprise management of the water system, monitoring/evaluation and technical assistance to end-users.

Present also to lend support in the ceremonies were San Andres DAR staff led by former MARO Rodrigo Torrazo, former SARPO Socorro Facundo, DF Rosemarie Arcilla, other DARPO staff, and the rest of local government unit officials in San Andres led by MEO Jing Balmadrid and MPDO Concepcion Santelices. (esvillar)

CASTILLA, Sorsogon – Residents of Barangay Burabod heaved a sigh of relief after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over recently the newly constructed Community-managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH), a low-cost technology that provides potable water and promote proper hygiene.

Municipal Administrative Officer Ian Leona said the completion of the facilities is very timely for the upcoming summer when water in the area is running low. “Our local residents here will be at peace, knowing that they have sufficient potable water even during summer time,” she said

shortly after the turnover ceremonies.

Sorsogon provincial agrarian reform officer Felix E. Fruto presided the simple rites held Monday at the barangay hall, and later saw him and some barangay officials taking turns in drinking the water, which they found odorless and taste good.

“Some 60 households made up of 1,400 out of the nearly 2,000 residents would benefit from the project,” Fruto said.

Also present during the turnover rites were Officers of Burabod Farmers’ Association and Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA), who expressed their gratitude to Fe

Bailon, Provincial CPWASH Point Person; Anna Mae Ebuenga, technical assistant, Castilla town agrarian reform officer Rolando Brimon, and development facilitator Josefa Celeste Cariño by signing the Statement of Commitment.

Fruto advised local barangay officials and residents to take good care of the project, which also included biogas wastewater treatment system, a good substitute for liquefied petroleum gas for cooking, using animal waste as source of gas via decomposition process.

“Think that this project is yours, which will benefit not only your generation but even the next. So take care of it,” Fruto said even as he thanked other CARP implementing agencies, which contributed in one way

or another to make this project a reality, and the Philippine Army for lending a hand in the construction of biogas facility.

The encouraging part about the project, Fruto said, is that local residents can do it by themselves now as they were given hands on trainings on how to do the low-cost technology where water from elevated streams and springs pass through pipes and into concrete water tank equipped with iron removal and bio sand filters to ensure constant flow of clean water.

“This is truly great! Aside from the knowledge we learned on how to do these things, we can save hard-earned cash supposedly for LPG. Besides, it helps solve our problem about stinking animal messes, which can be loaded to a sealed tank that produces cooking gas,” said Barangay Burabod chairman Amado Mirandilla, Jr. (PAMRS w/ reports from aajaso)

DAR Employees & members of the Philippine Army with the members of BUFA (Burabod Farmworkers’ Association) and BAWASA (Barangay Water System Association) join in the prayer while the priest blessed DAR’s project Biogas.

PARPO Felix Fruto drinking the water from CPWASH Project to prove that it is safe and clean.

Burabod ARC Thrives With Potable Water and Free Cooking Gas

DAR launches water project in San Andres

MOA SIGNING on DAR Water Project at Bon-ot, San Andres drew presence among PARPO Alexander T. Teves (third from left), Hon. Mayor Peter C. Cua of San Andres, Hon. Punong Barangay Gaspar M. Santelices of Bon-ot, this municipality, and Mr. Demetrio O. Rodriguez Jr., President, Bon-ot Farmers’ Association. Witnessing the signing ceremonies were (from left)Ms Eva Laurente of Mun. Agriculture Office, and CARPO Nerisa Aldea of DAR. PHOTO BY: Bong Villar

FULL SUPPORT. Honorable Mayor Peter C. Cua of San Andres LGU met with CARPO Nerisa Aldea and former SARPO Socorro Facundo in discussing how the CPWASH project of the DAR in his area could gain more benefits and in turn the LGU extended counterpart funding for the project.

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FBs’ Oath Taking and Signing of APFU held in Albay

Forty-two (42) farmers in Jovellar, Albay took oath and signed the Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking (APFU) documents in front of Hon. Judge Nimfa C. Gomez at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Camalig-Jovellar in Camalig, Albay on January 28, 2014.

A total of 44 hectares composed of 17 lots of the Porferia vda de los Baños (PVDB) Inc. landholdings in barangay Maogog, Jovellar, Albay are to be divided among the identified beneficiaries. The subject lots are part of the 220 hectares landholdings of PVDB Inc. with Emancipation Patent under Operation Land Transfer.

Hon. Judge Gomez said that the beneficiaries are very lucky to have been given the opportunity to own the land they till for many years. She encouraged the beneficiaries to work hard and make their land more productive. The Hon. Judge has also explained the contents of the APFU documents in the vernacular to ensure that the beneficiaries have clearly understood all the conditions stated therein. Judge Gomez has also required each beneficiary to present their valid ID to counter check their identities.

On the other hand, Jovellar Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) Hilario Manzanades said that he is working out for the formal organization of these beneficiaries into an association in order to access programs from government and non-government organizations. This is in anticipation to developing the area into a sugarcane plantation as another producer of panocha “kalamay” and muscovado sugar in the province. (gp_olayres)

PARCCOM-Catanduanes leads multi-agency ARC forumThe Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) in Catanduanes led by Chairman, lawyer Manuel A. Magistrado and PARCCOM Executive Officer, PARPO-II Alexander T. Teves conducted a consultative assembly dubbed as “Lakbay Serbisyo sa ARC” in a select Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) of Bagawang in Pandan town last December 3, 2013.

The activity, in so far as the PARCCOM is concerned is the first-ever initiative it has taken since its first re-organization in 2004. Recognizing one of its duties to spearhead resource mobilization in agrarian reform areas, PARCCOM-Catanduanes drew-up an activity featuring partnership strengthening, service access, information/advocacy plug and pledging sessions among participating agencies.

Attended by almost a hundred farmer beneficiaries at barangay Bagawang plaza, the activity likewise gained full support of Pandan municipal local government unit led by

Mayor Joseph Wong who was represented by Vice-Mayor Ninfa Namata in the event.

Namata, on her part, commended the PARCCOM, the DAR, and the different agencies who lend their hundred percent attendance during the forum, saying further that it touched her to see them converge in this farthest municipality of the province and offer their menu of services to Bagawang CARP beneficiaries. “It’s the first time in my tenure as local official to see this full convergence of these different agencies coming here in this remote barangay,” Vice-Mayor Namata said.

On the part of the PARCCOM and the DAR, they both assured the LGU and the ARC beneficiaries of Bagawang that this activity will be just a first of s series that will be initiated by the Office as the province will go full steam ahead by 2014 in terms of program beneficiaries development activities. All the PARCCOM private sector representatives, ex-officio members and the CARP implementing agencies made a caravan-type travel to Bagawang ARC and saw to it that pressing needs of the area in terms of government assistance would be addressed during the consultative assembly.

Issues on rural infrastructure support, land tenurial disputes, land titling which concerns both the DAR and the DENR, market and investment channels, livelihood development assistance such as seeds and farm machineries availment were just among those that were given opportunity for the beneficiaries to get hold.

Merito Icalabis, manager of the DAR-assisted ARC people’s organization in Bagawang, the PARIK-CARP Multipurpose Cooperative, assured the agencies that the ARCPO would likely to meet whatever qualification criteria that these agencies would desire in the event that they avail of these opportunities. PARIK-CARP MP Cooperative which is under stewardship of then Development Facilitator (DF) in the area, ARPT Lorna Bagadiong, is one of the DAR’s best cooperatives in the province, gaining for it a level-5 ALDA rating last year. (esvillar)

PARCCOM-LED ACTIVITY dubbed as “Lakbay-Serbisyo sa ARC” made its triumphant launch, the first-ever of its kind of initiative in the province insofar as PARCCOM-PCIT engagement vis-a-vis CARP implementation in Catanduanes is concerned. Done last December 2013, the PARCCOM-PCIT members shown above, the PBD and the DARMO staff, and key ARCPO officers posed before the ARC cooperative store in Bagawang, Pandan, Catanduanes before the activity proper. PHOTO BY: Bong Villar

By day one of March this year, DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes will already be starting to check live via the Internet whether claim folders (CFs) are moving or not, especially in provincial and municipal offices. This the Secretary can ably do he be in his office, on fieldwork or even during breaks in his hectic schedules. It’s simple and easy. The Secretary will just have to go online with his laptop or iPad, and connect to a web-based application the department has recently rolled out, the Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) database operational tool, now widely known in DAR as OpTool.

With just a few clicks more, the Secretary will already be

gazing at 17 detailed checklists that reveal a claim folder’s status from the day technical personnel are presumed to have conducted research and gathered documents, to the stage where DAR finally distributes LBP-certified photocopies of EPs and CLOAs to farmer beneficiaries.

The system was developed upon instruction from the Secretary himself to aid a massive claim folder review in order to have a truthful and accurate picture of the database. OpTool is not only intended to improve monitoring and reporting of LAD status, but also to simplify the operational process for the field personnel.

With the usernames already provided to DARCO, the DARROs and DARPOs down to the DARMO level, technical personnel are now backtracking CFs, updating/rectifying data, and assigning tasks in a span of just a few minutes.

Though the system still need some fine-tuning, it is very apparent that optool will become one breakthrough for the department as far as LAD data management and monitoring are concerned.

“I’m very positive that OpTool will help DAR Bicol improve its performance in land distribution, that’s why its use should be maximized. And we definitely need to, because DAR as a whole has so much expectations in Bicol being one of the high-LAD regions”, DAR V RD Luis B. Bueno, Jr. said during the orientation-workshops in all DAR provincial offices last January. (rrl)

DAR V Optimistic with Optool

Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr., OIC-PARPO II, DARPO-Masbate, in his opening remarks emphasized the timeliness of the LTI OpTool Workshop in relation to the very challenging 8265 hectare-LTI Target of DARPO-Masbate this year. PHOTO BY: Ross A. Lustestica

Rigoberto Castro of Field Operations Office (right) along with ARDO Rod Realubit of DARRO-V discussed the OpTool database with DAR Sorsogon technical personnel PHOTO BY: Alura A. Jaso

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DAR Bicol’s Mr. Edsel Buendia (Albay), Ms. Nemia Beo (Catanduanes), Mr. Maximo Magana, Jr. (Cam. Norte), Ms. Belen Bernal (Catanduanes) & Mr. Manuel Nebreja (Cam. Sur) belong to the 1st Batch of MPM-MRD Scholars who recently graduated at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), February 20, 2014.

They are all now holders of a Master’s Degree in Public Management – Major in Rural Development (MPM-MRD), a pioneering program that is being espoused by the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP), Xavier University and Ateneo School of Government.

The MPM-MRD is a customized masters program aimed at enhancing the joint efforts of the three main government agencies involved in rural development, such as DAR, DA

and DENR, collectively dubbed as the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) agencies. MPM-MRD is part of a landmark agreement forged by the NCI agencies, which consists of three projects that are expected to accelerate economic development in the countryside. The other two are Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity Economic Support Services (ARCCCESS) and the pilot implementation of Environmental Conditional Cash Transfer (eCCT) program in Southern Leyte.

The main objectives of the MPM-MRD are as follows: create a pool of rural development managers under the convergence initiative; promote an enhanced practice of leadership to manage change required to achieve a framework for sustainable development; and enable institutions to subsequently offer the program after the initial offering.

MPM-MRD targets the field supervisors, technical/

The DAR Camarines Sur Provincial Project Office of the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP2) headed by PARPO II Leo M. Gaveria and PARPO I Raquel P. Claveria works hand in hand with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Office represented by its officials: TMSD chief Evelyn L. Jacob, DMO Benito B. Batan, and CAO Sylvia C. Serrano, in the issuance of Certificates of Non-Overlap as one of the requirements for all ARCP2 infra sub-projects. Also present in the said meeting held on February 19, 2014 at DARPO Cam Sur conference room were the respective mayors, municipal planning & development coordinators (MPDCs) of the ten municipalities which are the recipients of the DAR-ADB funded sub-projects in Camarines Sur. (Joey Co)

GROUNDBREAKING of the 2-classroom school building on February 11, 2014 at Barangay Del Rosario, Pili, Camarines Sur. Three other similar school buildings at barangays Binobong, Sagrada, and BagongSirang with a total cost of Php7.049 million were co-funded by the Asian Development Bank through the DAR’s Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP2), LGU-Pili, and the National Government Assistance to LGU (NGALGU). In the photo are (from left) DARCamarines Sur PARPO I Raquel P. Claveria, School Principal Lorna Miña, Municipal Engineer Vicente D. Ordas, Municipal Kagawad and Chairman of the Education Committee Joel Bolaños, Pili Mayor Alexis “Nonoy” San Luis, Jr., PARPO II & ARCP2 Provincial Project Manager Leonito M. Gaveria, and Vice-mayor Rogelio Raymund D. Rigondola. (Joey Co)

“DAR’s partner-agencies play a key role in achieving our targets especially in the Land Acquisition & Distribution (LAD) aspect of our program,” stressed RD Luis Bueno, Jr. (in white polo shirt) during the Strategic Planning-Workshop with DENR-LMS, LBP and LRA-ROD at the La Roca Veranda Suites and Restaurant, January 15, 2014. One purpose of said activity is to present and synchronize DAR Region V’s 2014 programs/activities/targets with that of its partner-agencies in order to work with the same tempo in support with the CARP implementation in the region.

DAR-CDA tandem. DAR V and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) partnership continue to do well in strengthening farmer coops in the region. On January 23, said agencies conducted a planning workshop to come up with new strategies of how to attain the target of 44 cooperatives for the year. The one-day session was attended by the DAR Regional and Provincial TASS chiefs & point persons headed by Ms. Lerma Dino (seated, 2ndfr left) and CDA regional & provincial officials led by Regional Director Atty. Maria Lourdes P. Pacao (seated, center).

Photo News

New rural development managers for DAR Bicol

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THE DAR CATANDUANES BOOTH during the catandungan trade fair held at Virac town plaza was participated by different Agrarian Reform C o m m u n i t i e s (ARCs) with their respective products and PO representative. Manning the booth were (from left) PIMAO Becky Clemente, Asst. Stat. Anne Perez and other visiting DARPO staff. (Bong Villar)

THE GRADUATES. (From left to right) Mr. Edsel Buendia, Ms. Nernia Beo, Mr. Maximo Magana Jr., Ms. Belen Bernal and Mr. Manuel Nebreja pose for the camera before the ceremony.

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The Department of Agrarian Reform in Bicol conducted Retooling/Enhancement of Technical Skills of personnel in the different provincial offices last January, 2014 with the aim of fastracking the Land Acquisition & Distribution (LAD) accomplishment in the region.

Workshops were conducted to refresh and review technical personnel of the Claim Folder (CF) documentation under A.O. No. 7 Land Acquisition process. The data involved in this process are the ones being entered in the LTS OpTool system.

Regional Chief Administrative Officer Patricia T. Rastrullo said that the objective of the activity is to explain in simple terms the new implementing guidelines vis-a-vis the existing ones about the process of acquiring and distributing private agricultural lands to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).

CARPO Nida Santiago of DARRO-LTID served as the chief facilitator of the activity. She provided insights and in-depth explanation on matters that are not so clear to the participants. She also encouraged the participants to continuously learn and further familiarize themselves with the LAD process so that they will be more efficient in carrying out their functions, duties and responsibilities.

Aside from the regional office, other resource persons from the provincial offices and partner-agency Land Bank of the Philippines also took turns in sharing their expertise/ explaining Administrative Orders, Memorandum Circulars and other issuances that are useful in attaining the more

than 40,000 hectare-target of DAR Bicol this year: PARPO I Camilo del Monte of Camarines Norte, OIC-MARO Sam Mago and MARO Flor Escolano both of Camarines Sur,and representatives from LBP-LVO.

During workshops, participants were given refresher/review lectures and exercises about the essential documents and requirements needed for the process of land acquisition as provided in A.O. No. 7 or otherwise known as the Revised Rules and Procedure Governing the Acquisition and Distribution of Private Agricultural Lands under R.A. No. 6657, as amended. (ross a. lustestica)

THE TEAM THAT WORKS. (standing, l-r) IA Odessa Cabezudo, Engr. Tess Banua, Cam. Sur PARPO II Leo Gaveria, RD Boy Bueno, ARDO Rod Realubit, RCAO Pat Rastrullo, CARPO Nida Santiago, OIC-PARPO I Camilo del Monte, MARO Flor Escano; (foreground) coordinators Emman Vibar & Ben Loria, OIC-MARO Sam Mago & Rolly dela Pena of LBP-LVO during the retooling activity in Cam. Sur. PHOTO BY: Joey Co

TPs undergo retooling

AFTER attending the orientation on Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), Bigkis San mga Paraoma sa Bulan (BPB) decided to adopt the re-lending policy on loan from DAR-APCP which they believe is a good way to start the year.

APCP is a program of the Department of Agrarian Reform in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Land Bank of the Philippines. It is the instrument through which production loan on rice, other financial and technical services are delivered to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). It consists mainly of credit provisioning and capacity building to ARB organizations like BPB. It is expected that ARBs who avail this program would be able to develop their knowledge and competency in engaging and managing agri-enterprises while upgrading their skills on financial management. In this way, their bankability or credit worthiness will be enhanced.

BPB is located in Somagongsong, Bulan, Sorsogon. It has been only a year in operation but the chairperson and members are very positive that they will make their

organization progressive. Re-lending is just a stepping stone in order for them to venture in other agri-enterprises.

The members of BPB can apply production loan with a minimum amount of thirty thousand pesos (Php30,000.00). Each borrower can borrow a maximum amount of thirty five thousand pesos (Php35,000.00) for inbred rice per hectare, and a minimum amount of thirty five thousand pesos (Php35,000.00) to a maximum amount of forty thousand pesos (Php40,000.00) for a highbred crop per hectare. Every cropping season the loan must be fully paid otherwise the borrower will be charged two percent (2%) per month for the delayed payment. On the other hand, a borrower can pay his loan in kind (palay) to the BPB.

Furthermore, BPB has also enrolled to Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), another program of DAR complementary to its credit access and agricultural production programs. So that in case they won’t be able to pay their loan to the LBP due to damage by typhoons, pest, and other extreme weather conditions the insurance will be the one to handle it. (aajaso)

LBP-Bulan Representative congratulating the BPB President Leoncio M. Gocoyo Jr. for their wise decision of adopting the re-lending policy loan from LBP-APCP. Witnessing to their agreement are MARPO Gil Garrido; Lucia S. Vitug; Engr. Hilario Fruto Jr; Leony Madrid, Development Facilitator; and some BPB members. PHOTO BY: Lynn Erebete

BPB ADOPTS RE-LENDING POLICY LOAN FROM APCP

If others have failed and just gave up on dispersal thing, here’s one just another reminder that we’ve got an exception. In Catanduanes, it’s a moving up, not moving down experience with the Program Beneficiaries Division leading the project for years now since 2006. The project is a triumph story of a solely government-funded one, though in meager, self-reliant mode financing, but turns-out that not one is spent in vain. It grows, and grows bigger in value, and in number.

Add to this is the understanding that there lies the trust to our people that the government bestows unconditionally, then begets something bigger than we expect from them.

Now spanning across 16 Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) throughout the province, the DAR Catanduanes-funded swine dispersal project, said to be the only one in such magnitude and viable set-up among other similar government-led project that continues to draw impact for years, has already gained at least P449,000.00 since it has gained ground in 2006 starting off with just 5 recipients in Macabuluhan ARC.

To date, it boosts a cumulative count of 38 recipients since its inception, with 1 piglet to 1 household farmer-beneficiary recipient ratio. As the year 2013 folded-up, the cycle of distribution of piglets to every household beneficiary in 16 ARCs totaled 250; and yet it grows on and on in the ensuing year.

PARPO Alexander T. Teves was elated by the fact that this project has been fully tapped to prove that trust works in every Catandungan farmer beneficiary. “I commend the Program Beneficiary Development staff for this effort, dating back when it started in 2006 from then CARPO Nelia Tadoy to now, CARPO Nerisa Aldea, with special mention to the project’s coordinator and agri-livestock point person, Dr. John Joseph Camu, himself a licensed veterinarian and PBD staff,” PARPO Teves stated. He said that this project deserves to be continued because it is a showcase of a well-managed, locally funded project of the DAR where we gain success, while others may have given up as a flop.

For example, in the year 2013, the project having had 38 recipients and valued with P2,000.00 worth for each piglet dispersed in every household beneficiary gained some P76,000.00. Less this year’s dispersal income for 38 piglets from the total of 250 piglets dispersed since 2006, still the project valued the remainder of 212 piglets with P2,000 each, which drew a cumulative income of P449,000.00 of the province for re-dispersal alone . It was noted also that there was an add-on during the last 50 piglets dispersed in 2013 with cost of each piglet rising from P2, 000 to P2,500.00 each.

Now with the province’s stature towards a full-blown program beneficiary development mode, this project portends to speak something with a high note; a go-signal that indeed, the people in the ARCs have long been prepared for this new chapter of the program. (esvillar)

DAR-Catanduanes still at its peak on swine dispersal since 2006

JUST ANOTHER round of successful swine dispersal project spread all over the 20 ARCs in Catanduanes through a roll-over scheme. Here, (at left),Dr. John Joseph Camu of DAR-Cat’nes PPBD Division tackles post-birthing issues on-site with a woman beneficiary in barangay Hicming in Virac town.

New rural..program staff and development facilitators of the NCI agencies for them to be equipped with relevant enterprise, political, managerial and technical skills necessary to effect a wide-ranging and sustainable rural development that is characterized by an economically empowered rural poor.

Some of the core courses offered are: Dimension of Sustainable Development; Public Management and Governance; Ethics and Leadership in Public Service, Management Analysis and a few more.

DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes explained that the MPM-MRD is a pioneering academic program because it is

being delivered in a blended learning mode that is not yet practiced widely in the country. Blended learning, de los Reyes said essentially means that the MPM-MRD is being taught not only on a traditional face-to-face mode but also on an online (thru the Internet) or distance education basis.

DARRO V Chief Administrative Officer Patricia Rastrullo, point person for DAR Bicol said that the regional management will try its best to make this opportunity, as much as possible, accessible also to other qualified personnel from the region.

To DAR Bicol’s new Rural Development Managers, kudos! (rrl)

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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

REUBEN R. LORIASenior Writer/Circulation Manager

PROVINCIAL CORRESPONDENTS

GEORGE P. OLAYRESAlbay

NILLA P. LAGATUZCamarines Norte

JOSE D. COCamarines Sur A

CARLA R. YUCamarines Sur B

EDUARDO S. VILLARCatanduanes

ROSS A. LUSTESTICAMasbate

ALURA A. JASOSorsogon

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

LUIS B. BUENO, JR.Regional Director

RODRIGO O. REALUBIT, CESO IVOIC-Director III

ATTY. LEO MIGUEL A. RAMOSOIC-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

Salamat, Mabuhay!

Happy Birthday!

2014 DARRO V Retirees

Ma. Belinda A. Balde

Joel A. Gasga

Rebecca A. Grande

Jaime C.Bio

Concesa Y. IglesiaMarcela A. Lahorra

Yolanda N. Pagador

Gina D. Bolaños

Elizabeth B. PoloEddie C. Manjares

Eugenio T. Seguenza

Ramoncito B. Vibar

Corazon M. Sabater

As you go to pastures newRemember those who worked with you

Think of us office bound, longing for sunAnd we'll think of you out there having great fun

As you are wise you will no doubt wonderHow will they get by without a blunder

But we'll learn and laugh and then we'll sayHow you would never have done it that way

And even at times if we've driven you madWe thank you most sincerely for the great times we've had

Whatever aspirations you now hold in your heartWe wish you the best retirement right from the start

Keep in touch, let us know how you areSend us a postcard from near and afar

Think of us fondly as we do of youAnd remember us working, as you used to do.

January 15

Samuel R. Ongcal, JrPARPO Masbate

February 13

Engr. Romulo A. BritanicoPARPO Albay

January 21

Alexander T. TevesPARPO Catanduanes

January 14

Rodrigo O. RelubitDirector III