PAGES 6-7 Photo NewsPAGE 2 DAR Secretary meets ARBOs, personnel in Bicol PAGE 3 PAGE 8Veggie farmers earn,

nourish day care centers

story on page 315 ARBOs in Cam. Norte complete CDA mandatory trainings

see story on page 2

NOURISHED TOTS. Pre-schoolers at the three

day care centers in Ocampo, Camarines Sur enjoying their squash omelet during their

feeding time. The area is one of the municipalities in the 3rd

district of Camarines Sur covered by the Partnership against Hunger and Poverty

(PaHP) program.

2

ON THE COVERSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

Cover StoryDAR Secretary meets ARBOs, personnel in Bicol

DAR Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes spent quality time with the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of agrarian reform communities (ARCs) May-Ogob and Pinit in Ocampo, Camarines Sur during his visit to DAR Bicol, September 2-4, 2014.

He devoted his time threshing out concerns and issues affecting the farmers in said areas. For one, the May-Ogob Agrarian Reform Cooperative’s (MOARC) issue regarding the need for better irrigation systems in the area which at present has only one existing irrigation system, not enough to sustain the needs of the farmers. The Secretary advised the MOARC officers and members to come up with resolution so that it can be addressed by the proper government agency.

MOARC was organized in 1991 and registered in Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in 1997 with 109 ARB-members. Its economic activities include palay production, livelihood projects, and vegetable production. It was able to access production loan with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and common service facilities (CSFs), post-harvest facilities, and farm-to-market road from the DAR.

The Secretary also interacted with the all-female members of the Farmer Field School in May-Ogob ARC, a recipient of the Php40,000 seed money from DAR used to train 35 members on Organic Vegetable Production which was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in partnership with the local government unit of Ocampo. The FFS project is also supported by 3rd District Congresswoman Leni G. Robredo as a food production unit of the newly implemented Partnership Against Hunger & Poverty (PAHP) of the government.

A one-on-one discussion with the officers of the Pinit Irrigators Association (PIA) in Pinit, Ocampo was likewise facilitated by the Secretary to establish personal connection while individual concerns were being heard out. Said association is SEC-registered and organized since 1986. It is composed of 124 ARBs and 28 non-ARBs servicing 110 hectares of riceland in the area. It was able to access from DAR one unit of Combined Harvester and five units of farm tractors, production loan, trainings, among others.

Said barangays that Sec. De Los Reyes visited were two of the three ARCs in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, and formed part of the last leg of his three-day visit in the region. He covered four provinces -- Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur, wherein he met with DAR officials and employees in each area to thresh out various matters related to the tasks to be accomplished by the Department as another year is about to close. He urged everyone to stay on track and just focus on work, and avail of the courses offered by the Department in upgrading and furthering the skills of each one. Everyone, he said, must be armed with appropriate skills to synchronize with the changing times.

“The interest of the ARBs is equal to the interest of the DAR personnel. The same attention and concern must be given to the personnel who work hard to serve the ARBs,” he said. (MTVGeneral)

One month after the DAR’S turn-over of Post Harvest Facilities (warehouse with office) to Sta. Elena Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEFMPC), and the completion of another warehouse for Masalong-salong Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC), officers of ARBOs underwent a capacity development training on Warehouse Management for Palay and Copra Trading.

The training was conducted on October 9-10 and 14 at DAR Provincial Office Conference Hall, Daet, Camarines Norte through the initiative of PARPO II Ross Olayres and the BDCD. In his note during the opening program, PARPO Olayres expressed that the training would intensify the full utilization of warehouse that would backstop their business enterprise. Twenty (20) successful graduates are either general manager, operations manager, warehousemen, common service facilities (CSF) operators and second-liner warehouse managers. Considering that the two ARBOs are engaged in different business ventures – Palay Trading for SEFMPC and copra trading for MMPC, the training modules focused on their respective line of business engagement.

Warehousing and warehouse management are part of a logistics management system, which in itself is a component in supply chain management. The need for a warehouse arises due to the time gap between production and consumption of products. By bridging this gap, storage creates time utility. 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 palay, coconut and copra.

The successful graduates of Warehouse Management Training with SARPO Ning Lagatuz (seated 4th fr left), Asst. Training Officer Julie Botardo & Engr. Jeff Lopez (standing 1st& 2nd fr left) and DFs Ruben Sanico & Toby Arana (both seated extreme left and right)

Post-harvest facilities and management training

for Cam. Norte ARBOs Four months ago, the Farmer

Field School (FFS) in the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) of May-ogob, Ocampo and Del Rosario, Pili, both in Camarines Sur, commenced, under the leadership of then OIC-PARPO I, now OIC-PARPO II Maria Gracia Sales, where selected agrarian reform beneficiaries attended ‘once-a-week’ classes for a discovery based learning process. The participants completed weekly training sessions where a participatory approach of observing, analyzing and engaging in a hands-on-field experience to try out the new ideas they have learned, were the norm.

The objective of the non-formal education is to increase the income of farmers through creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities and to develop self-managed and dynamic farming communities.

On October 14 and 15, the two Farmer Field Schools have finally finished at the same time that the crops they planted were all in full bloom and ready for harvest. Twenty three (23) females and fourteen (14) males graduated from the Farmer Field School of ARC May-ogob in Ocampo while 16 females and 13 males from ARC Del Rosario in Pili, made it to graduation.

The graduation day

culminated with the harvesting of their varied produce of squash, string beans, bitter gourd and gourd. To see the reward of one’s toils evidently calls for jubilance and excitement which indeed set the mood for the day.

Distinguished guests were invited to the graduation ceremony from the local government unit, Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform. Mayor Alexis San Luis of Pili, Camarines Sur was happy to share that he intends to make the town of Pili as a market hub for all organic produce of the farmers in the locality.

Valuable insights gained from the course varied from addressing the lack of knowledge in the ecological processes that operate in the agricultural production systems to developing the capability of the ARBs in better understanding agricultural problems and causes,

improved varieties, better water management and enhanced plant nutrition.

FFS no doubt has a remarkable and lasting developmental impact not only amongst participants but in the community itself which apparently prompted knowledge sharing. It also improved decision making skills of the ARBs as they were able to make management decision at every stage of the crop. Their queries were answered as the training facilitator was with them from start to finish. The different group dynamics and participatory discussion developed amongst them a sense of cooperation and coordination.

All the graduates were proudly accordant in saying that the knowledge they gained will truly help them increase their production and productivity. (Carla R. Yu)

PROUD ARBs GRADUATE FROM FARMER FIELD SCHOOL

Post-harvest...- p 3

3SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

Veggie farmers earn, nourish day care centers AN agrarian reform beneficiaries organization

(ARBO) in Ocampo, Camarines Sur has found vegetable farming self-satisfying as it provides its members their “daily bread” and pre-school

children in their villages their daily nutritional needs.

Juliet Parlero, chairperson of the May-Ogob Agrarian Reform Cooperative (MOARC), said the program, dubbed: “Gulay para sa Lusog at Siglang Batang Day Care Center,” is a welcome development for it provides farmer-members steady market outlets for their harvests and a sense of pride for helping develop the villages’ future generation healthy.

“It’s like shooting two birds in one shot. We have steady income out of regular sales of our vegetables and, at the same time, help nourish our kids by providing them with fresh and organically produced vegetables,” Parlero said in an interview at their “Learning Farm Station” in Barangay May-Ogob, Ocampo town.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said the program, a joint undertaking of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP), seeks to uplift the quality of life in the community and make pre-school children at day care centers well-nourished.

The DAR chief said the new set up shows the importance of collaboration between and among concerned government agencies and the civil society in an overall objective of helping every community attain a vibrant economy and ensuring

a healthy and energetic village people.

Under the program, the existing ARBO in the barangay supplies the daily vegetable needs of day care centers in the same barangay. The number of day-care center in each village depends on the number of population. In barangay May-Ogob, an averaged barangay, there are three day-care centers, with at least 35 pupils each.

De los Reyes said under this arrangement the farmer-beneficiaries are motivated to work harder in their vegetable farms on a year-round basis and produce more because they have ready market outlets for their harvests, and the school children are assured of fresh and organically produced vegetables, which are good for their health.

DSWD nutritionist-dietician Richel Arellano-dela Cruz said the project is an offshoot of a previous undertaking when the government used to provide a kilo of rice for each public pre-school and elementary pupil.

“This time we make sure that the project would be result-oriented by having it directly enjoyed by its intended beneficiaries – the pre-school children,”

Arel lano-dela Cruz said.

She said the daily food budget for each pupil is P13 and is broken down as follows: P3 for rice and P10 for viand (ulam) or cuisine. Pre-school children attend classes at day care center five days a week or 120 days a year.

Harawan Day Care Center worker Elinor Mangubat said the program is very encouraging as her wards have become more active and started enjoying school activities, much unlike before when they appeared less cooperative and less attentive. (PAMRS)

Resource Speakers who are specialist in their respective fields include the Regional Manager III of the Philippine Coconut Authority Mr. Mateo B. Zipagan and Senior Agriculturist Arturo S. Banta Of PCA Camarines Norte; Mr. Mario R. Bautista, Senior Grains Operation Officer of the National Food Authority-Camarines Norte; Ms. Erlinda Ilustre of Countryside Multi-line Cooperative (CMC)-a cooperative primarily engaged in large scale palay trading; and Engr. Jeffrey Lopez of DAR BDCD who discussed the Basic Storage Requirement for Safe Storage. Topics discussed among others are Standard Purchasing Practices, Procurement Planning and Budgeting Worksop, Inbound and Outbound procedures, Loading and Weighing Practices, Marketing and Sales Management, Good Warehousing Practices, Warehouse Planning and Staffing Workshop, Record Keeping and Financial Analysis.

The participants were also exposed to the actual testing of palay using the standard equipment being used by the NFA for grain classification such as the moisture meter, purity tester, and fogging machine for minimizing insect infestation in the warehouse.

Aside from the warehouse training, the Sta. Elena Farmers MPC being the ARBO under the Social Entrepreneurship (SE) partnership

will receive various equipment for palay trading such as moisture meter, platform weighing scale, suspended weighing scale and thresher as DAR’s support to intensify their palay trading business.

The construction of the two (2) units Post Harvest Facilities (warehouse with office) was funded through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project Phase 3 (ARISP III). One is located in Poblacion Sta. Elena Camarines Norte with an office area of 49 sq.m., 450 sq.m. solar dryer and 105 sq.m. warehouse with a capacity of 3,500 cavans worth almost 6.3M pesos which is now being managed by SEFMPC for palay trading. Another is located in Masalong-salong Mercedes,

having an office area of 49 sq.m., 360 sq.m. solar dryer and 105 sq.m. warehouse with a capacity of 3,500 cavans with a project cost of 8.3M pesos. (Nilla P. Lagatuz/HannahMendoza)

(left photo)Sr. Grains Operations Officer Mario Bautista of NFA demonstrating to participants how the palay purity tester works.(right photo) PARPO II Ross Olayres and CARPO Salve Noami Lo awarding the plaque of appreciation to PCA Regional Manager Mateo B. Zipagan, Resource Speaker during the Warehouse Management Training.

-------------------- from p 2

Four municipalities in Albay will soon implement projects under Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) amounting P10.43 Million after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released the allocated budget earlier this year.

Among the projects to be implemented in the province of Albay are Coco Processing and Coco-based Farming System in Guinobatan; Construction of 100 linear meter Spillway in Bgy Aurora-White Deer, Jovellar; Construction of 1.5 km Marayag-San Isidro FMR in Libon; and Construction of 35 linear meter Concrete Footbridge in Sitio Lagsingan, Rapu-Rapu.

Preparatory activities for these projects are now being undertaken by the DAR Albay as such

Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the concerned Municipal Mayors was held on September 10, 2014 at the DAR Albay Provincial Office.

During the activity, Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco thanked the DAR for extending support to her constituents. “Next year, we look forward to bigger projects with DAR to sustain the development of our community,” Mayor Ongjoco said.

DAR Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer said that once the projects are completed, it will benefit 10,400 farmers of which 527 are agrarian reform beneficiaries in the above-cited areas. (George P. Olayres)

Signing from L-R: DAR Albay PARPO II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico; Hon. Mayor Ronald Galecia of Rapu-Rapu, Albay; Hon. Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco of Guinobatan, Albay sign the Memorandum of Agreement on the Implementation of GPB Projects in their towns.

DAR approves P10.4M GPB projects in Albay

Post-harvest...

4 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

The Department of Agrarian Reform will develop fresh milk product of Albay Dairy Cooperative (ADC) as one of the 91 ARB products chosen for this year under the Up-Valuing of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) Product Project of the department.

Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Celso L. Olitin said the project is in coordination with the National Dairy Authority (NDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Provincial Government of Albay (PGA). “These

three agencies will provide the necessary training capability and knowledge transfer to address ADC needs on the production, processing, and marketing of their fresh milk product,” SARPO Olitin said. He added that the project will also provide product development through product label design and branding.

During the project orientation held last October 7, 2014, Ms. Emmeline De la Cruz of NDA Central Office stressed that the key to the success of value adding are careful business planning and adherence to legal and technical regulations to be able to market high quality product that is reasonably priced. “Availability of the

product in convenient location for the consumer to purchase and the delivery of product consistently to consumers to meet the demand will sustain ADC’s business enterprise” De la Cruz added.

A Baseline Survey was also conducted last October 8and 9, 2014 by the DAR Albay and NDA Central and Regional Offices to assess the current status of dairy milk enterprise of the recipient-cooperative. The team

assessed and inputted guidelines on the ADC’s farmer level management of dairy farming and milk production and clean milk production and milking process.

Mr. Salvador C. Garchitorena, NDA Regional Coordinator for Bicol informed the coop officers and members the importance of good hygienic practice in the production of clean and quality dairy milk. “Clean milk has following characteristics, low bacterial count, pleasant creamy smell and colour, no obnoxious odor, no dirt extraneous matter and no residues of antibiotics and pesticides”. Garchitorena explained.

On the other hand, Ms. Emmeline B. Dela Cruz said that if more farmers venture into dairy farming, additional volume of milk production can go a long way to boost the local dairy industry.

Up-Valuing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ (ARBs’) Products involves partnership with professional BDS provider with expertise on product design branding and marketing to extend technical support in enhancing the existing ARB products in the ARCs. Support includes design, packaging and labeling innovations for 91 products of ARBs and rural women. (George P. Olayres)

Address the concerns, resolve the issues. This was the main crux of USEC Jose Z. Grageda’s conference with the DAR-Masbate’s workforce, particularly the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) and the staff of the Land Tenure Improvement Division (LTID) during his field visit on October 16, 2014.

During the conference which was more like an open forum, the Undersecretary for Field Operations discussed the tasks that DAR-Masbate needs to do in order for it to deliver its Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) commitment for this year. Aside from

monitoring and evaluating the LAD status of the province and determining what DAR-Masbate can accomplish for 2014, USEC Grageda also gave some possible solutions to the problems and hindrances that are commonly encountered by the MARPOs in the field.

DAR V Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr., Assistant Regional Director for Operations Rodrigo O. Realubit, and Philip Alvarez and Fe Lezzie Falcon both SARPOs of the Bureau of Land Tenure and Improvement were also present during the conference. (Ross A. Lustestica)

DAR to up-value Albay Dairy Fresh Milk

DAR Albay PBDD Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Celso L. Olitin discusses the trainings and activities in line with the Implementation of Up-Valuing of ARB Products in the province of Albay during theProject Orientation held October 7, 2014 in Legazpi City.

USec Grageda visits DAR Masbate

A three-day training was provided to nine (9) Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) by DAR Sorsogon headed by OIC PARPO II Felix E. Fruto, in partnership with South-Luzon Federation of Cooperatives (SIDECO) headed by Chairperson Jenell P. Paghubasan, on September 17-19, 2014.

Particularly, the ARBOs learned the Basic Concepts of Cooperative Financial Management and Elements of the Accounting System for Cooperatives which were discussed by Ms. Lucy G. Bailon. Likewise, Ms. Evelyn B. Peña taught them how to interpret and analyze financial statements of cooperative; the meaning of P.E.S.O.S. and its standards in evaluating cooperative performance; the basic of budgeting; and the basic of investment and banking.

“This training is very beneficial to us because through the knowledge which the speakers had imparted to us, we realized that for a long time we had been observing wrong practices in financial management. Now that we already have the understanding, we can correct our mistakes,” said by one of the participants, Felipe A. Castillo, vice chairperson of GASANAMUDECO.

This significant activity which was facilitated by Ms. Maribel J. Lubiano, DAR-CDA Partnership point person of DAR Sorsogon, is part of DAR’s mission to capacitate cooperative leaders with basic knowledge, skills and the right attitude in managing the financial affairs of the organizations. Prior to this, the same participants had attended another three-day training on Cooperative Management and Governance.

“We’re not just giving trainings but we would be monitoring the growth of your cooperatives in order for us to know whether DAR’s intervention has really helped you,” said Ms. Liza B. Repotente, CARPO-PBDD, to the participants. (Alura A. Jaso)

The participants of the 3-day Financial Management Training with Maribel J. Lubiano, DAR-CDA Partnership Point Person, and Training Facilitator; Ignacio B. Espinosa, CAO-STOD; and Evelyn Preña, resource speaker.

Sorsogon ARBOs complete Financial Management Training

DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Z. Grageda (rightmost) interacting with Masbate Group headed by OIC-PARPO II Samuel Ongcal (left), while Regional Director Boy Bueno attentively listens(back).

5SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

A total of 156 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who qualified under the screening process took their oath before Honorable Judge Rolando G. Sandigan, Municipal Trial Court in Cities and signed their Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking (APFU) on October 24, 2014 at the Rendezvous Function Hall in Masbate City.

The 156 ARBs were composed of 18 farmers from Barangay Sinalongan, 80 from Asid, and 58 from Malinta. All of them are tenants and farmers of Arnaiz Realty, Inc. and Nuestra Señora del Carmen Marble which comprises of 109.8385 and 371.0676 hectares, respectively. These two landholdings are the subjects of a Supreme Court decision dated July 7, 2010 denying the land owners’ petition for exclusion from CARP coverage.

True to the provision of Section 60 of DAR Administrative Order No. 7, series of 2011, Edwin C. Yanzon, OIC-MARPO

of DARMO-Masbate City and his staff arranged the transportation of the ARBs to ensure their attendance to the oath taking ceremony. This was just one of the many preliminary activities that they effectively planned and executed which greatly contributed to the success of the event.

Masbate City Mayor Rowena R. Tuason was the guest of honor at the event. In her speech, she said that the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Masbate City has always provided support to the farmer-beneficiaries through the provision of Farm Implements, Technology Trainings, Carabao Dispersal, etc. She also said that these aids, no matter how small or big, could boost the Department of Agrarian Reform’s capability to fully achieve its rural development mission.

Key officials of the DAR-Masbate Provincial Office headed by OIC-PARPO II Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr. were also present during the activity. (Ross A. Lustestica)

156 ARBs Take Oath and Sign the APFU

1

In attempt to promote safety in the workplace, the DAR Albay Provincial Office in cooperation with the Camalig Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and Albay Health Emergency Management Services (A-HEMS) conducted an orientation and simulation exercise on fire and earthquake response last September 26, 2014.

The Camalig BFP thru FO1 Ruth A. Ramos demonstrated what to do during and after an earthquake and how to suppress fire so as to limit body injuries, loss of lives, damages to property, and downtime. She emphasized

that each office or establishment should come up with a good Fire System and Fire Plan and must be incorporated in its organizational system. “It is also important that it is flexible and can be revised from time to time,” FO1 Ramos suggested.

According to SFO1 Leonila M. Rayala each employee must also be knowledgeable in using fire extinguisher as this is the first remedy for small fire outbreak. She said that anybody can use fire extinguisher by simply remembering the “G-PAS” technique – Grab, Pull, Aim, and Squeeze.

The simulation exercise taught the employees the basic of dealing with earthquake by “duck, cover, and hold” technique primarily to protect the head from injuries. Immediately after, a standard operating procedure for search and rescue operation were demonstrated by the A-HEMS. Actual firefighting was also demonstrated by the Camalig BFP headed by Insp. Jerickson P. Miraflor.

During the activity, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico said the activity is a timely undertaking of the department as natural and man-made disasters are widespread due to Climate Change. “The Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Committee has come up with this endeavor in order for us to be prepared in times of disasters such as fire and earthquake,” PARO II Britanico stressed. He also added that that activity is of great importance, likewise timely, especially with Mt. Mayon’s impending eruption, considering that the office of DAR Albay is within the 6-8 kilometer danger zone. (George P. Olayres)

The simulation exercise on search and rescue operation led by Mr. Dennis P. Miraflor and A-HEMS.

DAR Albay is Fire and Earthquake Ready!

Sorsogon City – a second round of Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC) Basic Training Course was provided to BARC Officers of Barangays Sta. Lucia, San Roque, San Juan and Del Rosario, all in Bacon District; and Barangays Bucalbucalan, Peñafrancia, Pamurayan, Pangpang, Macabog, Piot and Tugos, Cabid-an Balogo and Basud of Sorsogon City by the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Sorsogon headed by Felix E. Fruto, OIC PARPO II and LGU Sorsogon City through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting.

A refresher course on the History of Land Reform was given by Lucy G. Bailon, MARPO of Bacon District, to the participants, as well as Memorandum Circular No. 05, series of 2010 which is all about the new composition of BARC. Meanwhile, Legal Officer Pamela F. Morcoso discussed to the participants the salient features of CARP and CARPER to give them updates on agrarian laws.

According to Pamurayan Barangay Chairperson Marites Lucero who was invited in said training, she learned so many things about agrarian reform implementation which has truly helped them enrich their knowledge especially her whose idea on agrarian reform processes is very different from the actual.

The BARC Officers were also taught about the organization development skills by Marbel J. Lubiano, DAR-CDA Partnership Point Person, so that the next time they call for a meeting, they already know how to do it

properly.

They were also updated about the Leasehold System and Mediation Process by Norberto D. Laguna, MARPO of Sorsogon City, in order for them to know the rights of every tenant (lessee); landowner (lessor); their limit; and the difference between the landholdings under leasehold and the landholdings which are under the coverage of land acquisition and distribution (LAD).

“For a long time, we have not given a seminar like this; only hand-outs which we still have to read and try to understand. But now, there is already somebody from the DAR who explains to us what agrarian law is. This way is much better,” said Romeo Llona, who has been the BARC Chairperson of San Roque, Bacon, Sorsogon City since 1988, and currently holding a seat in Barangay Council.

Before the two-day training concluded, the participants were asked to group themselves into two. Group one presented a play depicting the role of each BARC member in an actual mediation conference, while group two expressed their feedback regarding the play.

“We have waited for this kind of training that can give us an idea how we can resolve the agrarian-related problems in our community,” said Marilou Yuson, BARC Chairperson and Barangay Councilor of Basud, Sorsogon City.

Like the 1st batch of BARC Officers who were provided with BARC Strengthening, this batch is also expected to experience the same knowledge journey to expose them to BARC situations in other locales. (Alura A. Jaso)

(L-R; Top-Bottom) : The participants of BARC Basic Training Course; Selected participants doing a play as part of workshop; a participant reading the feedback of the play written by other participants; and participants before the workshop

2nd Batch of BARC Officers attend Basic Training Course

6 PHOTO NEWS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

COCONUT SEEDLINGS DISPERSAL. The Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) of Bagong Siglo at San Roque, Bato, Catanduanes was

provided 1,000 seednuts from Virac satellite office of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under Mr. Leonor Tasarra. The distribution activity was an offshoot of DAR-Catanduanes’ on-going coconut production technology training in all its ARCs in the province, where Bagong Siglo ARC was the first batch to complete said training. The distribution was made possible at San Roque, Bato, October 15, 2014 with the presence of DF Elsie de Leon, Ms Jaycel Evangelista, PCA Project Employee, and Mr. John Joseph Camu of DAR-PPBDD. (Bong S.Villar)

CATANDUANES

HON. CYNTHIA A. VILLAR, Senator, was at the DAR-Catanduanes booth during the opening of Catandungan trade fair at Capitol grounds on October 24, 2014. Senator Villar was the guest of the province during its 69th foundation anniversary. The trade fair runs from October 24 -26, 2014. The activity showcases once again, the different products from the eleven municipalities of Catanduanes. Sen. Villar encouraged Catandunganons in their agri-enterprise, even as they start “small”. The DAR-booth displayed products from its 10 participating Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). These products were mostly out of their enterprise build-up through the different livelihood or skills trainings provided by DAR, and its cooperating stakeholders such as DTI, DOLE, OPAg /DA, DOST, CSU, etc. Sen. Villar made rounds in the different booths during the fair with Hon. Cesar Vergara Sarmiento, Congressman of the lone District of Catanduanes, Hon. Araceli B. Wong, Governor of Catanduanes, Hon. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr., Vice-Governor of Catanduanes, Dr. Minerva Morales, CSU President, and other guests and officials. Also present in the DAR booth during the activity was PARPO-II Alexander T. Teves, CARPO Nerisa Aldea and staff, together with the different Development Facilitators (DFs), other DAR employees and selected ARCPO officers. (Bong S.Villar)

CATANDUANES

Sixteen (16) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Brgys. Bolo and Hidhid, Matnog Sorsogon after attending the Orientation Seminar on LBP Authorization / Farmer Beneficiaries’ Obligation cum Training on Land Productivity on September 11, 2014 receives their Certificate of Landownership Award (CLOA). The training was facilitated by Belinda G. Dogillo, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer of Matnog; and Helen U. Hugo, Agrarian Reform Program Technologist / Development Facilitator. Francisco Corcuera from the Land Bank of the Philippines was their resource speaker. (Alura A. Jaso)

SORSOGON

DAR Secretary Virgilio R. De Los Reyes visited DAR Masbate and had an interaction with the employees,September 2, 2014. (Ross A. Lustestica)

MASBATE

BACK-TO-BACK TURN-OVER of equipment for the ARCs’ livelihood ventures were conducted by DAR-Catanduanes led by PARPO Alexander T. Teves and CARPO Nerisa B. Aldea and the rest of DARPO staff, OIC-GSS Merlita Bautista, Supply Officer Liz Benitez, DF Rose Arcilla at ARC –SAHA, San Andres located at barangay Bon-ot (right photo), and ARC Milaviga, Caramoran (left photo) with its DF Jose Peña, ARBO Chair Villardo Villagas and Barangay Captain Rudy de los Reyes. In Bon-ot, the ARC is engaged on production and selling of sweet delicacies, while in MIlaviga, the ARC is currently operating its Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production, with training assisted by local satellite PCA office being manned by Mr. Leonor Tasarra. (Bong S.Villar)

Lowering of Capsule as part of the Ground Breaking Ceremony of 1.5 km Marayag-San Isidro FMR in Libon, Albay held October 20, 2014 with PARPO II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico, PARPO I Estreluuna G. Ante, DARRO V Infra Engineer Danilo C. Cea, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Lerma B. Dino, Libon Municipal Mayor John V. Dycoco, and Barangay Officials of Marayag and San Isidro of Libon, Albay. The GPB was adopted to identify programs and projects that would help the country’s poorest cities and municipalities. (George P. Olayres)

ALBAY

DARRO 5 Team headed by RCAO Pat Rastrullo inspects CSFs turned over in Masbate.

CATANDUANES

7PHOTO NEWSSEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

MASBATECoastal Clean-up in Masbate City - The DAR-Masbate workforce, headed by OIC-PARPO II Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr., joined in the Coastal Clean-up initiated by the Local Government of Masbate City early morning on September 20, 2014. The activity is in observance of the 27th International Coastal Clean-up and pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 470 that was issued on September 15, 2003. This global movement is aimed at driving the general public to be actively involved in taking care of the environment and to make a positive contribution to a cleaner and healthier world. (Ross A. Lustestica)

The opening of the Peñafrancia farm-to-market road(FMR) at the municipality of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur connects said barangay to the national highway as shown in this photo. Two other rural road access projects are the Pinagdapian and San Juan FMRs which are all jointly funded by the DAR & Asian Development Bank (ADB) with LGU-Del Gallego counterpart, and financial assistance from the Office of the President’s National Government Assistance to LGU (NGALGU). The three FMRs has a total length of 4.24 kilometers and total project costs of Php17.233 million. These rural roads help facilitate the economical and fast movements of farm produce from the agrarian reform areas that includes coconut, rice, fruits, vegetables, and aquatic products among others. (Joey Co)

CAMARINES SUR

BEFORE & AFTER Mode of Transportation. The Socio-economic impact and benefits of the Caranday-Cristo Rey farm-to-market road and Caranday-Del Pilar farm-to-market road at Baao, Camarines Sur includes savings in time travelling, savings in transportation costs both of passengers & farm produce, and savings in vehicle operating costs. The indirect benefits include increase in employment and livelihood opportunities, increase access to education & health among others. (Joey Co)

FARMERS TRAINING. Officers of the Farmer organizations at the municipality of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur who were recipients of Common Service Facilities (CSFs) from the DAR’s ARCCESS Project were provided technical trainings by the Bicolandia Greenfields Development Organization, Inc. as business development service provider, last October 7, 2014 at San Juan barangay hall, Del Gallego. In the photo are the trainers with the trainees, and the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Godofredo Pan, Jr.(rightmost standing) of DAR-Del Gallego. (Joey Co)

CAMARINES SUR

CAMARINES SUR

DAR Bicol MARPOs undergo a Diagnostic Assessment cum Learning Session facilitated by Ms. Guia Abalos of ARCDS, and Asec

Augusto P. Quijano serving as resource speaker. Also in photo is ARDO

Rod Realubit (upper left) who welcomed the guests and participants to the activity. ( MTVGeneral)

DARRO 5 frontliners attend Consultation Workshop on the DAR Citizen’s Charter (MTVGeneral)

FRUIT OF LABOR. Raymond Olos of DARMO-Ocampo shows the soon to harvest Ampalaya (bitter gourd) at the Farmer Field School on Organic Vegetable Production where women farmers were trained by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of DA as a joint endeavor with the DAR and May-ogob Multi-purpose Cooperative in May-ogob, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. (Joey Co)

CSFs. The newly delivered 2-wheel Hand Tractors with implements which were distributed to selected Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Camarines Sur & Camarines Norte.

CAMARINES SUR

8

Bicol’s Agrarian Reform Information ServiceA 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

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:

480-5180 local 198 480-5181

darro5info@yahoo.com

facebook.com/DARRegion5

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

The Department of Agrarian Reform Camarines Norte Provincial Office headed by PARPO Ross Olayres and CARPO Salve Noami A. Lo of the PPBD Division sealed partnership with Camarines Norte Federation of Cooperatives (CANOFECO) for the conduct of CDA mandatory trainings for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) assisted by DAR. The conduct of training started last quarter of 2013 and went on until 2014, benefitting fifteen (15) ARBOs in the province.

The strengthening of cooperatives especially those assisted by DAR is in coherence with the ARC Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project. The delivery of ARCCESS projects is channelled through organizationally-mature ARB organizations that will serve as hub or center of support services not only of the ARBO but other ARBOs in the community. The projects are more efficient if the point of entry of agri-enterprise is through organized groups and not individuals. More mature ARBOs increase the chance of the program’s success.

For this year alone, eight (8) trainings have been conducted by CANOFECO as accredited training provider such as Conflict Management, Parliamentary Procedures, Records Management, Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants, Internal Control, Rules Formulation, and Cooperative Standards and Audit Management. Two more trainings are scheduled to be conducted before end of this year, the Entrepreneurial and Business Management on 4th week of November, and Strategic Planning in December.

The standard training curricula for Cooperative is being prescribed by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) pursuant to Article 44 of Republic Act No. 9520 and Rule 7, Section 5 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which provides that “Officers of Cooperative shall be required to undergo necessary training conducted by cooperatives, federation, and other training institutions accredited by the authority”. The mandatory trainings focused on the enhancement and development of the competencies of the cooperative officers for them to efficiently carry out their functions as officers. Except for up-skilling the officers and Core Management Team, the trainings are essential for obtaining Certificate of Good Standing

with the CDA. Non-compliance of this provision is a valid ground for revocation/cancellation of the cooperatives accreditation with the Authority.

According to PARPO II Olayres, the conduct of mandatory trainings are manifestations that DAR is indeed serious in extending support services to agrarian reform areas considering that all the trainings are conducted at no cost to the ARBOs.

The fifteen (15) ARBO beneficiaries are Basud Coconut and Pineapple Cooperative (BACOPICO), Caayunan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CMPC), Basud Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative (BARBDC), Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ARBMPC), Masalong-salong Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC), Batobalani Agrarian Reform Cooperative (BARCO), San Isidro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (SIARBECO), Sta. Elena Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEFMPC), Capalonga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (CARBECO), MAGCAISA Agrarian Reform Community, Brgy. Iberica Cassava and Pineapple Producers and Processing Association (BICPPPA), Daet-Talisay River Irrigation System (DTRIS), Kooperatibang Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Brgy. Kanapawan (KMMBK), Singi Vegetable Growers Association (SVGA), and Daguit Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (DARBO). (Nilla P. Lagatuz/HannahMendoza)

15 ARBOs in Cam. Norte complete CDA mandatory trainings

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Bicol conducted a three-day Capability-Building & Technology Training for Community-Based Enterprise Organizers (CBEOs) in Hotel Villa Caceres, Naga City on October 28-30, 2014.

Said training was participated by agrarian reform beneficiary organizations under the first batch of the Agrarian Reform C o m m u n i t y Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project. It is part of the preparatory activities being done by the Program Beneficiaries Development sector of the department in its aim of developing a pool of local experts as farmer-adoptor-trainors in the 38 ARCCESS sub-project areas in the region.

“Once capacitated as local extension workers or farmer-technicians, the ARBs are expected to act as coaches or mentors to the other farmers in

the influence areas, and they shall also establish model farms which will serve as learning farms,” Regional Program Beneficiaries Development Chief Lerma S. Dino explained during the interview with the ABS-CBN Bicol.

Meanwhile, Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Serafin Ariola of Basud ARB Development Cooperative couldn’t hide his elation on the many interventions he and his fellow ARBs have been receiving from the government especially the DAR. “First the common service facilities (CSFs), and now this training which is really of great help to us farmers. In here, we are able to learn good agricultural practices especially in pesticide management, and we are also taught how to properly harvest our crops both for domestic and export markets, among others,” he enthused.

Same training shall be conducted to the 2nd batch of CBEOs on November 17-19, 2014. A total of 66 CBEOs are expected to benefit from the two-batch training, who in turn shall replicate the same know-how to other farmers in their respective areas. (MTVGeneral)

1st Batch of CBEOs under ARCCESS undergo training

(1) The PBD Sector, CBEOs & speakers in a group pose; (2) RPBD chief Dino in an interview with ABS-CBN; (3) RD Boy Bueno delivering his welcome address to the participants.

2 3

1