At least P13 million worth of farm machinery and inputs were turned over to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in La Union and Ilocos Sur to help boost their livelihood and economic lives.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed hauling truck and water pumps to the Lacong Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) in San Gabriel; combine harvester and water pumps to the Namaltugan MPC in Sudipen, and mechanical tractor and water pumps to the San Jose MPC in Caba, all in La Union.
Five ARB organizations (ARBOs) in La Union also received various farm inputs and livelihood programs.
A total of P5.44 million worth of farm machinery and inputs were received by ARBs in the province.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones, who led the turnover ceremony, said the farmers, being the frontliners in providing food for the country, deserve to be empowered and their welfare should be well taken care of.
"They say that agriculture is the weakest link in our economy. The department is pooling all its resources to make agriculture competitive and ensure that farmers become the strongest sectors in the country," Castriciones said.
The DAR chief also distributed land titles comprising 6.97 hectares in Barangay Lacong, San Gabriel town.
In Ilocos Sur, three heavy-duty trucks and 35 units of water pumps, which cost P4.275-million were provided under the DAR’s Block-Farm Productivity Enhancement Program, while various farm equipment such as mobile rice mills, multi-tilling machines, hand tractors, trailers, among others, with a total cost of P3.675-million was provided through the Sustainable Livelihood Project for Disaster-Affected Areas program of the Department.
Castriciones said the farm machinery and farm inputs would benefit not just the lives of the recipients but also the agricultural sector of the region.
"If we will be able to strengthen agriculture, our economy for sure will improve and we will eventually become a progressive country," he pointed out.
DAR Regional Director Homer Tobias said more than 3,000 farmer-beneficiaries are expected to improve their economic lives with the DAR’s provision of farm machinery, equipment, and farm inputs.
"The recipient agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) were from the agrarian reform communities of the municipalities of Narvacan, Tagudin, Cabugao, Burgos, Alilem, San Juan, Bantay, Sta. Maria, Cervantes and Sta. Lucia," Tobias said.