By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – The newly installed regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform has recognized the contributions of the farmers and other agriculture sectors to the economic growth of the region in 2017.
(photo by pixabay) Manila Bulletin
Citing the recent report of the National Economic and Development Authority, Leomides R. Villareal said Caraga Region posted a 4.3 percent growth in 2017 or a 2.5 percent higher than the growth it gained in 2016.
Villareal said the data also recognized the contributions of the agriculture sector to the said growth, an indication that the farmers in the area are engaging into government programs and projects that are aimed to increase agricultural productivity.
Villareal assumed his post as the new chief of DAR in Caraga region Wednesday.
The installation ceremony was witnessed by top DAR officials from Manila, to include Undersecretary Bernie F. Cruz. Also present during the occasion was the National Project Director of ConVERGE and Northern Mindanao Regional Director Faisar Mambuay.
Top regional and provincial officials of DAR, including its employees and invited guests from other line agencies, were also present during the installation ceremony.
“I challenge everyone at the DAR Regional Office, including my co-workers in the provincial levels to help sustain the growth of this region this year, by providing more support services to our ARBs and ARBOs for increased agricultural production,” Villareal pointed out.
He also recognized the problems that DAR and the thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the area but the new chief believed that through consistent dialogues and conferences, these snags and difficulties will be resolved.
He described his kind of leadership as that of a team player and emphasized that he is ready to listen and discuss the problems that the agency face.
“I am a listener and a team player. This I assure you. You can come to my office and discuss and I will listen. Then, we go out to our clientele and work together,” he said.
Before his assignment in Caraga, Villareal served as Director IV of the Public Assistance and Media Relations Service in DAR Central Office.
Villareal is a former member of the media in Davao City and once served as the City Information Officer in the local government of Davao under the term of former mayor and now President Duterte.