Volume 14 No. 9 July-September 2015 8 Pages

P10.3 Million Common Service Facilities For Zamboanga FarmersHE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform (DAR) has recently distributednine heavy tractors worth P10, 277,280T

to agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations(ARBOs) in the provinces of Zamboanga delNorte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Provincial Agrarian Reform ProgramOfficer II Mohammad Dassan J. Adju said fourheavy tractors were distributed to GuinlesFarmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative(GUIFAMUCO) in Polanco; S. Cabral AgrarianReform Beneficiaries Association (SCARBAS)in Siocon; A.L Micubo Agrarian ReformBeneficiaries Association (ALMARBAS) inSiocon, and Siari Valley Agrarian ReformBeneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative

(SVARBEMCO) in Sindangan, Zamboanga delNorte and the five others were allocated forARBOs in Zamboanga del Sur.

He said that it is DAR’s mandate to make

sure that the productivity of every agrarianreform beneficiaries is enhanced.

Adju added that with the aid of the farmingmachines provided by DAR it would make animpact to the lives of the farmer beneficiaries.

Earlier Zamboanga del Norte received sixhand tractors amounting to P1,050,000 threeof them were handed-out to A.L MicuboAgrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association(ALMARBAS), and another three to S. CabralAgrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association(SCARBAS). Guinles Farmers Multi-PurposeCooperative (GUIFAMUCO) was also arecipient of one floating tiller amounting toP70,500.00.

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DAR launches P8-M cacao contract growing deal for FBsTHE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR)in partnership with Kennemer Foods International(KFI) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)embarked onan P8 million contract growing dealto boost the cacao production in Siari ValleyAgrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative(SVARBEMCO) agrarian reform community(ARC) in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

“With the promising benefits of growingcacao, we will ensure that the project will trulybenefit the farmer beneficiaries and we hope thatit will become sustainable,” Regional DirectorFelix B. Aguhob said.

DAR-KFI-LBP tripartite partnershipthrough Agrarian Production Credit Program(APCP) has allocated P8,256,950 for cacaoplantation and production in SVARBEMCOARC. It has set a target to plant cacao in 129hectares of land in the ARC by intercropping itwith coconut farms to provide alternative and

sustainable source of increased income and farmproductivity.

KFI is a producer and marketer of food andagricultural products. It specializes in growing andtrading high-quality agricultural crops, especiallyfermented cacao beans. The company has beenoffering a long-term growing program for farmerswho are interested in planting cacao.

Under its contract-growing program, farmersare provided with planting material, inputs,training, on-going supervision and consultation anda guaranteed buy-back of the harvest at a pricelinked to the world price.

DAR PARPO II Mohammad Dassan J. Adjustressed that proper intervention and support willbe provided to the cacao farmers noting thatZamboanga del Norte is the first province inRegion IX to implement massive cacao plantingconsidering the increase in demands of cacao inlocal and international markets.

Meanwhile, PARPO I Rizzel B. Villanuevahighlighted that the project is a combination ofsupport from other partner stakeholders such asthe Department of Agriculture, Philippine CropInsurance Corporation, Cooperative DevelopmentAuthority and the Department of Trade andIndustry.

“We expressed gratefulness to DAR for itscommitment for rural development especially inthe Municipality of Sindangan,”Mayor FlorentinoSy said, adding, that he will encourage hisconstituents to sustain cacao farming and plantingpractices as it will provide stable income forfarmers with sure market.

The ceremonial planting of 105 thousandcacao seedlings was spearheaded by RegionalDirector Aguhob, together with MARO NevilPaculanang , APCP Credit Point Person AileneV. Alonzo and LBP-Lending Center ManagerVinicius Hamoy.

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Assistant Regional Director Engr. Agnes Y. Maata explaining the Project ConVERGEof DAR.

DAR IX Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob expressed his views on the topic.

Department of Agriculture IX Assistant Regional Director Dr. Dennis Palabrica sharedideas about PRDP.

DAR conducts Para-LegalTraining for Farmers

THE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform (DAR) recentlyconducted a farmer para-legalformation towards effectivepartnership in the agrarian reformprogram implementation inZamboanga del Norte. This wasparticipated by 28 participantscoming from variousmunicipalities in the province.

Provincial Agrarian ReformProgram Office II Moh.Dassan J.Adju said that the farmer para-legal training program is aneffective tool in assisting the DARmunicipal offices in fast trackingthe acquisition and distribution oftarget landholdings under theComprehensive Agrarian ReformProgram (CARP).

The objective of the training

is to assist organized farmers andfarm workers in resolving thetenurial issues and other agrarianrelated concerns through acontinuing formation programconsist ing of trainings andupgrading of farmer para-legal.

It also aims to strengthen thepartnership engagement betweenand among community agrarianreform stakeholders, farmerparalegals and localimplementers.

The participants expressedgrati tude to DAR for theopportunity to understand theissues affecting the programimplementation in the communityand be involved in the fasttracking of land acquisition anddistribution.

DAR conducts discussion with DA

THE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform (DAR) IX held acomplementation meeting with theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) todiscuss issues relevant to theimplementation of the projects ofboth agencies, the Convergence onValue Chain Enhancement for Rural

Growth and Empowerment (ProjectConVERGE) for the former and thePhilippine Rural DevelopmentProject (PRDP) for the latter.

The meeting was conducted toascertain and evaluate the projectsthat were implemented by bothagencies within the different parts of

the region to prevent overlapping ofprovision of projects in the samelocality.

Project ConVERGE is a projectimplemented by DAR which seeks tocontribute to the reduction of povertyincidence through the promotion ofsustainable livelihood activities basedon key commodities that are deemedcompetitive in the areas like rice,rubber, coffee, cassava and cocosugar.

The project covers 11 AgrarianReform Communities Clusters in 10provinces from Regions IX, X andCARAGA with possible expansion tosupport peace initiatives in

Mindanao.The interventions under the

Project ConVERGE include marketlinkaging investment facilitation,organizational strengthening andinvestments in enterprise facilities,subdivision of collective CLOA,provision of rural infrastructure andmobilized partnership with privatesector.

The DAR was represented byRegional Director Engr. FelixAguhob and Assistant RegionalDirector Engr. Agnes Maata whileDA was represented by AssistantRegional Director, Dr. DennisPalabrica.

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Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Atty. Judith P. Mantos led the ribbon-cutting of the Paradise-Sampoli B farm to market road rehabilitation project.

Continued from page 1The farm equipment are

being provided to ARBOs underAgrarian Reform CommunityConnectivity and EconomicSupport Services (ARCCESS).The ARBO - recipients wereidentified through series ofprocesses conducted by the DAR.

Through ARCCESS, DARalso introduces new farmingtechnology to the farmer

P10.3-M Common ServiceFacilities For Zamboanga Farmers

beneficiaries to increase their farmyield.

Gracing the activity duringthe delivery and initial turn-overof CSFs from the supplier to DARwere Regional Inspectorate TeamRaul M. Flores and Engr. FlorendaDimapaylo and ProvincialInspectorate Team Samuel AndrewA. Baliton and Iluminada D.Aradji. (Ma. Socorro C.Reambonanza)

Diplahan folks benefit from rehabilitated FMR and water system projectsPROVINCIAL Agrarian ReformProgram Officer II (PARPO II) Atty.Judith Patriarca-Mantos of DARPOZamboanga Sibugay led the ceremonialribbon-cutting and turn-over of therehabilitated 840-meter farm-to-market road and potable water systemprojects on August 12 in Diplahan,Zamboanga Sibugay.

PARPO II Mantos was assistedby Diplahan Mayor Cresencio Jore inhanding over the projects to thebarangay officials and representativesof the Agrarian Reform BeneficiariesOrganization (ARBOs) present in theaffair.

The road rehabilitation projectstretches from barangay Paradise tobarangay Sampoli B, both in Diplahan,this province. Along with barangayPilar, barangay Paradise likewisebenefited from the water systemrehabilitation project. Both projectswere implemented under the GrassrootsParticipatory Budgeting-Bottoms-UpBudgeting (GPB-BUB), a budget andpoverty reduction reform agendaprogram of the national government.

The road and water systemprojects amounted to P2.9 million andP1.3 million, respectively. Aside fromDiplahan, 2 other towns inZamboanga Sibugay were recipientsof the GPB-BUB projects.

PARPO II. Mantos commendedthe efforts of LGU-Diplahan for givingthe biggest budget allocation amongthe 3 recipient municipalities under theGPB-BUB program. She encouragedthe beneficiaries to preserve andmaintain the projects so it will also beenjoyed by the future generation. Shesaid that DAR will continue to overseethe projects.

Mayor Jore expressed hisgratitude to DAR. He said that theinfrastructure projects will havegreater positive impact to the people.

Also present in the activity wereDAR personnel headed by ProgramBeneficiaries Development DivisionChief Anthony Teves, MunicipalAgrarian Reform ProgramOfficerMyrna Ugdamina, PARCCOMMember Efren Napigkit and somemunicipal and barangay officials.

DAR ARCP 2 Funds InfrastructureProject Worth P43 Million

THE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform (DAR) together with theprovincial government and themunicipal governments of Mahayagand Molave in Zamboanga del Surturned over the P43 million worthof completed 7.6 kilometers farm-to-market road to the 4 barangaycouncils of Lower SalugDako,Balamban, San Jose and Daniel C.Mantos in Mahayag; and the 1.9kilometer stretch Purok Ferry toPurok Happy Valley in BarangayMiligan, Molave all in Zamboangadel Sur.

Zamboanga del Sur ProvincialAgrarian Reform Program Officer IIArturo Soria disclosed that these twoprojects are a part of the 55

approved rural infrastructureproject worth P667.17 millionfunded by Agrarian ReformCommunities Project Phase II.

Engr. Josephine Sisican, Chiefof Technical Advisory SupportServices said that these projectsbenefit 10,424 residents in theDAR-ARCP2assisted barangays.

Governor Antonio Cerilles,who attended the occasion, urgedthe local government units to takecare, maintain and sustain theseprojects for the future generation.

The signing of theMemorandum of Agreement for theproper operation, maintenance andsustainability of the FMR was alsodone during the event.

Paradise Brgy. Captain Emmanuel Asong receiving the key of responsibility fromDiplahan Mayor Cresencio Jore and PARPO II Atty. Judith P. Mantos.

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DAR IX conducts DARAB – Legal Assessment Seminar on DAR Administrative Orders.

DAR Sibugay Ribbon Cutting and turn-over of BUB Projects in Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

PAMANA-ARA PROJECTS DAR-ZDS spearheaded by PARPO II Arturo N. Soria aMayor Basilio Vidad with Vice-Gov. John Regala, Board Member Felicidad FCaptains ceremonially turned over 30 PAYAPA at MASAGANANG PAMAYANANto 30 Peoples' Organizations (POs) in Agrarian Reform Areas (ARAs) on AuguZamboanga del Sur

Ceremonial Turn – Over of Credit Extension Faciliunder Agricultural Production Credit Program Sibugay.

July-September 2015 5

and DINAS MunicipalFontanilla & 30 Brgy.N (PAMANA) projectsust 11, 2015 in Dinas,

ity, Cacao Productionin Titay, Zamboanga

Highlights of the 27th CARP Anniversary

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Five plantation cooperatives undergo strategic planningFIVE agrarian reform beneficiariescooperatives in Region IXparticipated in a series of activitieson strategic planning from July 27to August 14.

The activities aimed to assessthe internal and external factorsaffecting the management andoperations of the rubber plantationas well as to define the strategicdirection and options of theplantation cooperatives from 2015to 2020.

The Goodyear AgrarianReform Beneficiaries MultipurposeCooperative and Sulo AgrarianReform Beneficiaries MultipurposeCooperative ofZamboangaSibugay, the LamitanAgrarian Reform BeneficiariesCooperative and TumahubongAgrarian Reform BeneficiariesIntegrated DevelopmentCooperative of Basilan and theAgrarian Refom Beneficiaries ofMarcelo Cooperative ofZamboanga del Norte participatedin the Credit Assistance Programfor Program BeneficiariesDevelopment (CAP-PBD) WindowII Strategic Planning Workshops.

CAP-PBD W-II is a program

Members of plantation cooperatives attending the strategic planning

jointly implemented by theDepartment of Agrarian Reformand the Land Bank of thePhilippines in 1996, the objectiveof which is to help the agrarianreform beneficiaries in doingfarming activities through thenecessary credit assistance.

Region IX is fortunate to beincluded as a recipient of theprogram where the five plantationcooperatives are covered under thesubject credit facility.

The participatingcooperatives were required toprepare a 5-year strategic plan toensure successful implementationof the program.

The activities enabled thecooperatives to review and modifytheir vision, mission, goals andobjectives and their organizationalvalues based on new directions.

They also were able toassess the factors that affect theirperformance by looking intotheir strengths, weaknesses,opportunities and threats and todefine their strategies, key resultsareas, performance indicators,programs, activities andresources.

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Sibugay coop avails P5.2-M credit extension facility

THE Culasian-Supit AgrarianReform BeneficiariesCooperative (CUSARBENCO)of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugayavailed a P5.2-million worth ofcredit extension facility throughthe Agrarian Reform ProductionProgram (APCP) of theDepartment of Agrarian Reform(DAR).

The said credit facility willbe utilized by CUSARBENCOfor its cacao production. It canbe recalled that CUSARBENCOentered into a joint ventureagreement with Kennemer Foods

International last year wherein theformer will be growing andproducing certain volumes ofcacao for the latter.

The cooperative is set toplant 60,400 cacao seedlings in a75.5-hectare area. A total of 46pilot beneficiaries were involvedin the endeavor.

The credit facility which isbeing financed by the Landbankof the Philippines (LBP) will beimplemented within a span of 7years - 3 years as planting periodand 4 years as payment period.

During the ceremonial turn-

over of the credit extension facilityon July 16 at Culasian in Titay,Provincial Agrarian ReformProgram Officer II (PARPO II)Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantosreiterated to the coop members aswell as the barangay folks presentthat DAR is not only up toawarding of lands. It also extendsvarious assistance andinterventions that would helpimprove the quality of lives of theagrarian reform beneficiaries.

PARPO Mantos hopes to expandthe number of beneficiariesinvolved in cacao production.

Zenaida Valencia, LBP Headof Zamboanga del Sur LendingCenter, anticipated for aproductive relationship with thebeneficiaries.

According to her, theendeavor is historic since its thefirst time for LBP to release anamount under APCP for cacaoproduction.

The DAR and LBP officials ceremoniously turning-over the cheque to CUSARBENCO.

PARPO II Atty. Judith Patriarca-Mantos congratulated the beneficiaries andencouraged them to love, maintain and preserve the project.

DAR Zamboanga del Sur Turns – Over PAMANA Project in DinasTHE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform in Zamboanga del Surhad recently turned–over 30Payapa at MasaganangPamayanan (PAMANA) projectsthrough the Office of thePresidential Adviser on the PeaceProcess (OPAPP).

The PAMANA-ARAprojects worth P9-M consist of

the following: 4 multi-purposebuilding, 4 solar driers, 11 watersystem, 6 tire paths, wet and drymarkets, day care center, footbridge and a solar street light.

In an earlier similar turn-over,Regional Director Engr. Felix B.Aguhoben joined the recipientPeoples Organizations to properlymaintain, take good care and

sustain the said projects to benefiteven the coming generations.These projects will benefit 1,952agrarian reform beneficiaries,9,788 households and some 46,103residents in Dinas.

Mayor Basilio Vidad wasthankful for the completedprojects. He recognized the effortof the DAR and their commitment

for the realization of these projectsthat will greatly help in alleviatingpoverty in his municipality.

Present during the event werethe recipient barangay captains ofDinas, Vice Gov. John Regala,Board Member FelicidadFontanilla and DAR personnelheaded by PARPO I SherwinTubog.

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EDITORIAL STAFFEditors-in-ChiefGLORIA M. SARACHO

MA. SOCORRO C. REAMBONANZAAssistant Editor

SUZETTE T. LOTAContributing Editors

SHANIE P. JACINTOLAILANIE VIC S. VALDEZ

CHRISTINE MAE V. BOMESARNETTE COMIQUE

JOHN LLOYD CABABATEditorial Consultants

ENGR. FELIX B. AGUHOBRegional Director

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

ENGR. AGNES Y. MAATAARD for LTS/TASS

For inquiries, please write or call theDAR Regional Office IX,

Veterans Avenue Extension,Zamboanga City

Telephone No. (062) 955-2155Email add: dar_reg9@yahoo.com.ph

DAR Marks 27th CARP AnniversaryS THE Department ofAgrarian Reform (DAR)celebrated the 27th

have also been resolved by theDepartment of Agrarian ReformAdjudication Board, benefiting248 ARBs.

Moreover, ProvincialAgrarian Reform Program OfficerMohhamad Dassan Adju said threemajor projects are now beingimplemented by the AgrarianReform Connectivity andEconomic Support Services,namely the Cacao Production andProcessing Project in the 13municipalities with 31 ARCs worthP31.650 million; the P3.4 milionRice Mechanization cum PalayProduction for Guinles FarmersMultipurpose Cooperative inPolanco and a unit of FT CombineHarvester (Model 41.7 2-OD) forGFMC worth P3.4 million andanother P1.2 million for flat beddryer for the Agrarian ReformBeneficiaries Organizations inMutia; and Abacca Production andProcessing worth P1.184million.

For the rural infrastructure

projects, it has also implemented54 sub-projects in 20 ARCs worthP245 millions. These include fourbarangay health centers; eight DayCare centers; three multi-purposecenters; three potable watersystems C level 2); 15rehabilitation of farm-to-marketroad; 16-room school buildings;two solar dryers, and threeirrigation systems.

To give more color to the 27thCARP Anniversary celebration,Dipolog City also served as hostto DARs sports event at theDipolog City Sports Center inOlingan.

DAR Regional Director Engr.Felix Aguhob said that Dipolog Citywas chosen to be the venue of theregional sports activity because ofits favorable peace and order, andalso, in recognition of the supportextended by the provincial and citygovernments resulting in thesuccessful implementation ofprojects DAR-initiated.

DAR – LGU on Half Million Foot BridgesTHE DEPARTMENT of AgrarianReform in Zamboanga del Surturned over three units of footbridges measuring 90 metersfunded under the Bottom UpBudgeting (BUB) last September24 at Tambulig, Zamboanga delSur.

Provincial Agrarian Reform

Program Officer I ( PARPO I )Sherwin Tubog of DARPOZamboanga del Sur led thesymbolic turn-over of the key ofresponsibility of the foot bridges –to Mayor CaridadBalaod andSumalig Barangay Captain DavidDoong Sr., who represented hisconstituents who are the recipients

of the project.The foot bridges amounted to

P557,000 and will benefit 3,490residents, 610 households and 45agrarian reform beneficiaries ofBarangay Sumalig in Tambulig,.

The project providesaccessibility and will shorten thetravel time of the residents.

Finally, the DAR leadershipheaded by Regional DirectorEngr. Felix B. Aguhob throughPARPO Tubog challenged therecipients to be trustworthy onwhat has been bestowed to themso that bigger and greater projectswill come their way.

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Aanniversary of the ComprehensiveAgrarian Reform Program(CARP), DAR officials reportedthe gains and accomplishment inLand Acquisition and Distribution(LAD).

Assistant Regional DirectorAgnes Y. Maata disclosed that asof June 30 this year, DAR Region9 has distributed 226,200 hectaresof land to 121,515 AgrarianReform Beneficiaries (ARBs),leaving a balance of only 4,641hectares.

It has also surveyed68,038.5793 hectares of newlands and subdivided 68,488.435hectares of Collective Certificatesof Land Ownership Award. Inaddition, a total of 36,149hectares were placed underleasehold for the benefit of 20,171ARBs.

Some 491 agrarian cases