The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Iloilo is encouraging farmers to join any Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries (ARB) organizations in their locality and avail of government’s support and services.
“In our programs being implemented, our mission and vision are directed towards the improvement
and enhancement of the quality of life of the farmers. Our office is focused on agrarian reform
communities and organizations, which is why I invite and encourage everyone to become members of
any ARB organization in their area to avail themselves of the various support services of the
government,” said Harriet A. Loot, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR Iloilo.
Loot made the call during the distribution of the farm machinery and equipment (FME), under the
Sustainability and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (SuRe ARC) Project, to the Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) on October 11, 2023 in the municipality of Anilao.
The P2.8 million worth of farm machinery and equipment include 1 unit of 90 HP 4WD tractor which
was turned over to Hacienda Rica ARBs organization and 1 unit of hand tractor with trailer and rice
thresher turned over to the Palaypay ARB Association, according to a press report posted on DAR –
Iloilo’s facebook page.
Mayor Nathalie Ann F. Debuque led the distribution of the common service facilities which
highlighted the celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Week 2023 in the municipality. Debuque
thanked the Department of Agrarian Reform’s contribution to the farmers of Anilao.
“I am deeply grateful for the farm equipment you provided, because this generous and thoughtful
contribution will undoubtedly go a long way in helping us improve our agricultural productivity and
enhance our livelihood,” she said.
Also, members of the two recipient organizations expressed their gratitude for the FMEs they
received and the implementation of the SuRe ARC projects in the town including Lixie Donguila,
president of the Hacienda Rica ARBs Organization.
“We are grateful to DAR for giving us the tractor; it is a great help to our association because it will
reduce our farming expenses if compared to renting farm equipment. Aside from this, with the farm
machinery given to us, we can gain income,” said Donquila.
The SuRe ARC project is a program initiated by the Department of Agrarian Reform with the
overarching objective of promoting sustainable development and resilience in agrarian reform
communities.
It aims to empower farmers and rural communities that have benefited from the land distribution and
reduce poverty through various initiatives and strategies to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Loot was joined by DAR-Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director Lucrecia S. Taberna, Municipal
Agrarian Reform Program Officer Flocerfina E. Ervite and SARPOs Antonio Z. Mocero, Jr. during the
activity.
