DAR: Farmers are pandemic heroes
I want our farmers to trust that agriculture is their key to success
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) paid tribute to farmers nationwide for ensuring there is enough food amid the onslaught of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DAR Secretary John Castriciones said the farmers are the country’s “real strength as we would not have survived this pandemic without them working hard to ensure food security.” “I want our farmers to trust that agriculture is their key to success. In first world countries, their farmers are earning big and are treated well by citizens. We would emulate these countries to empower our farmers by pooling all our resources to improve their economic standing and quality of lives,” he said.
DAR officials visited agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) of Benito Soliven town in Isabela, and distributed agricultural land, P50-million worth of bridge projects, P2.5-million worth of tractors, P57,776 worth of water pumps and P6.9-million worth of various farm inputs.
Castriciones also visited ARB residences to deliver their certificates of land ownership (CLOA) under the “Serbisyong DAR-to-Door” program.
“I want to show our farmers that the government’s initiative to boost their lives is at their doorsteps and they just need to have faith,” he said.
Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III said it was the first time a Cabinet secretary personally delivered services.
“I am very fortunate to witness the event that transpired today. I see that our farmers were overwhelmed with hope and anticipation. Because of these, our provincial government would help sustain what the DAR has provided to the ARB,” he said.
DAR Regional Director Samuel Solomero said the distributed lands will benefit 3,715 ARB from 25 municipalities while the 28.8 lineal meter bridge will help 1,574 farmers.
I want to show our farmers that the government’s initiative to boost their lives is at their doorsteps and they just need to have faith.
He said the bridge is being implemented under “Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Repormang Agraryo,” a joint project of the DAR, Department of Public Works and Highways and the provincial local government units of Isabela and the town of Benito Soliven.
“With this bridge, our farmers can now easily transport their agricultural products from various markets and trading centers as it connects Barangays Andabuen, Ara, Capuseran, Guilingan, Balilao and Nacalma,” he said.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Eunomio Israel, meanwhile, said the three farm tractors were turned over to ARB organizations, including Morado Auto Savings Group, Sagana Backyard Cattle Raiser Cooperative and Oshwind Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Eunomio said the Sanmanvilfer Irrigators Association and San Isidro North Agrarian Reform Cooperative were recipients of the self-priming water pumps.
The distributed farm inputs, on the other hand, will help 3,182 ARB boost their farm yields for bigger income.
Support Services Office Undersecretary Emily Padilla said land titles should be accompanied with support services projects to ensure their success.
Serbisyong DAR-to-Door beneficiary Daniel Alupay Sr. thanked DAR for distributing CLOA and other livelihood assistance.
“I am a living testament that the government can be trusted and that the system will work if one will just live peacefully and abide by the law,” he said in the vernacular.