BUTUAN CITY–The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) yesterday turned over six hauling trucks to six agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBO) here.
Agrarian Reform Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla said the machinery, provided under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), will address the farmers’ need for cheaper transportation of their produce.
“These hauling trucks will serve as an added service of ARBOs to its members and non-member farmers. The earnings from the low-rate rental of the trucks will be used as business asset of the organization and for the maintenance of the trucks,” Padilla added.
The six hauling trucks totals P21.2 million and were distributed to the following ARBOs: Palmavera Small Coconut Farmer Beneficiaries Coop of Las Nieves, Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigators Association of Jabonga, Cebolin Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Trento, La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Veruela, Esperanza Farmers Credit Cooperative of Del Carmen, and San Isidro Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Gigaquit.
DAR Regional Director Leomides Villareal said the turn-over activity is a positive start for 2019 for more than 300 farmer-members and non-members of the six ARBOs.
“This is a proof of the committed and dedicated service of the DAR to our clients and beneficiaries,” Villareal added.
Winefredo Malso, chairman of one of the beneficiary ARBOs, said this project is a welcome opportunity to provide cooperative services to its members.
“The dump truck we received would greatly benefit our farmer-members because of its lower rental fee compared to other rental trucking services,” Maldo said.
Also present during the turn-over ceremonies were Undersecretary for Operations Karlo Bello, Asst. Regional Director Daylinda Narisma, Asst. Reg. Dir. for Operations Cenon Original and Gigaquit Mayor Elvira Egay.
The ARCCESS project aims to strengthen the ARBOs by making them hubs of support services in the community which are expected to contribute to increasing ARB household incomes and improve resiliency of ARB households.
