Butuan city: More than 2,300 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across the Caraga Region gathered at the gymnasium here for the Agrarian Reform Stakeholders Empowerment and Partnership Summit on Monday. Department of Agrarian Region (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III, along with Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante and DAR-13 Regional Director Merlita Capinpuyan led the summit.
According to Philippines News Agency, the summit also announced the launch of a PHP1.16 billion, five-year investment plan for an Agrarian Reform Community in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The Roxas-Maligaya-Tagbobonga (ROMATA) ARC in the town of Hinatuan comprises three barangays and two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), with 353 ARBs. In the next five years, the ROMATA ARC will receive support, programs, projects, and investments from DAR and other government agencies. Meanwhile, two ARBOs from the region - the Sto. Ni±o Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) of Butuan City and the Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative - are also set to enter into marketing agreements with other institutions.
Marilyn Aranas, 66, chairperson of SNMPC, expressed optimism, stating, 'This is a big break for us,' during an interview on the sidelines of the event. SNMPC will sign an agreement with the local government unit of Buenavista for rice supply. Aranas added, 'The agreement will ensure that palay harvests of our members, when processed, will have a ready market through LGU Buenavista.'
Four ARBOs with 403 ARBs also received 15 units of various farm equipment worth PHP3.6 million. A PHP50 million farm-to-market road in Surigao del Norte was also turned over, benefiting one ARBO with 234 beneficiaries. The DAR also gave recognitions to LGUs and line agencies during the activity for their continuing support of agrarian reform programs and projects.
Estrella is scheduled to travel to Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday to distribute e-titles to 4,372 ARBs covering 10,130.4143 hectares across different provinces in the region. 'Through stronger collaboration, responsive support services, and community empowerment, we can help our farmers achieve greater productivity, improved livelihood opportunities, and a more secure future for their families,' Capinpuyan said.
