An agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO) in Nueva Vizcaya is now assured of a direct buyer for their farm produce after partnering with the Region II Trauma and Medical Center which enables the latter to provide for their patients' dietary needs.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Region II Trauma and Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last July 20 for the establishment of a marketing agreement between the Greeners Multipurpose Cooperative and the hospital as their institutional partner-buyer under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (EPAHPP).
Under the program, government institutions converge to support poor people in the countryside, which also includes feeding programs for school and severely malnourished individuals and provision of community affordable meals for workers and laborers.
EPAHPP is our government’s initiative to eradicate hunger by 2030. But it is more than just hunger mitigation as our ARBOs will eventually become established channels for food supply, hence, they will play a vital role in ensuring food security in the country, DAR Secretary John Castriciones said.
Nueva Vizcaya provincial agrarian reform program officer (PARPO) Dindi Tan said the MoU contributes to the goal of the present administration in the fight against hunger and poverty as part of the Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan, Ambisyon Natin 2030 and other similar initiatives in attaining food security.
Region II Trauma and Medical Center chief Dr. Napoleon Obana said the partnership will ensure that farmer organizations and cooperatives will have a ready and established market for their produce at a price that is mutually advantageous for both parties.
Tan said the ARBOs will now be assured of a direct buyer for their produce while the other party continues to have a steady stream of food supply according to their patients' dietary needs.