1 Peso made us Number 1

SAFADECO’s story of growth

Five years, since the launching of MiCoop at Agrarian Reform Areas (ARAs), a joint program of the Salvacion Farmers Development Cooperative (SAFADECO), National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) the maxim of Mother Teresa, an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary was realized: 

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them 

that your strength lies.”

Humble Beginnings

Prior to the MiCoop@ARAs program, the farmers in Barangay Salvacion, Sorsogon City who caused the prestige of SAFADECO, patiently saves one peso every day in order to collect for start-up capital.

“That was in 1992, we are only sixteen in the group. Our humble beginning has been told many times in different occasions to inspire others. That’s also the reason why we have number one in our logo,” Tita Desquitado, SAFADECO BOD Chairperson said.

As a matter of fact, the pioneer members of SAFADECO are sixteen (16) not twelve (12) as previously told, however, eleven (11) of them have already rested and did no longer saw the successful transformation of the cooperative that they founded through piso-piso. Even so, the values of thriftiness which they started remain in the organization.

First, they ventured in Copra Trading and Consumer Store which is now considered of NATCCO as one of the SAFADECO’s satellite offices after establishing their main office in the city proper of Sorsogon in 2012 when they opened the Credit and Savings Services and extended the cooperative’s coverage to the whole city of Sorsogon and adjoining municipalities: Castilla and Casiguran.

Reaching Out

In 2015, SAFADECO’s operation became province-wide which prompted them to open the second satellite in the municipality of Irosin for the convenience of the members residing in the southernmost part of the province.

Reaching out the countryside, they opened their third satellite office at the heart of Castilla to accommodate the members coming from the municipalities of Pilar, and Castilla. Then, they have their fourth satellite office located at the commercial center of Bulan, Sorsogon to serve the large number of customers in that municipality.

“I am so thankful that SAFADECO has now a satellite office here in Bulan. Before, I still go to Irosin to make transaction. By making their office accessible, it’s not only the money for transportation that I can save now but also my time and energy,” Rhodea Gidoc, SAFADECO member in Bulan said.

The same convenience was felt by Emerlita Maraña. According to her, since the opening of SAFADECO satellite office in Castilla she finds it easy to bring friends to the cooperative.

The opening of SAFADECO satellite offices had also brought ease to the Development Officers in the area because they can do their works especially collection in their comfort zone. Aside from that, the presence of satellite offices generated jobs for those qualified applicants.

A Model Farmers’ Coop

Last 2016, Gerwyn D. Pura, NATCCO Area Manager assigned to SAFADECO saw the performance of the cooperative and said that they have already the capacity to acquire a piece of land and office building. This is also a chance seen by the NATCCO to offer them a long term loan for real state and building construction which the SAFADECO accepted.

“Although this is still a loan which the cooperative has to pay every month, but at least the paying period will lasts for only ten years. After that, the lot and the building will be theirs. Unlike when they are renting, they are paying every month with thousands of pesos for a structure they will never owned,” NATCCO Area Manager said.

This year (2017), the members, officers, and employees of SAFADECO are already enjoying the comfort of their very own two-storey building which was constructed in the 520 square meters lot that they purchased. This is the cooperative’s dream which the present management strived to accomplish as legacy.

“The structure is designed for a three-story. The ground floor is for the credit and savings office, the second floor is the office of the administrative and manager, the third floor which will be constructed later will be the function hall where we can held special occasions like our general assembly,” Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, General Manager said.

During the inauguration of SAFADECO’s new office building, Atty. Ma. Lourdes P. Pacao, Regional Director II, CDA Naga City was impressed upon witnessing the occasion. According to her, the partnership of DAR, NATCCO, and CDA is truly a very effective vehicle in providing support services to cooperatives.

“This is not just a building. This is their haven which was once a simple dream of the Salvacion farmers for their community. Cooperatives have helped many families, that’s why no to tax repeal,” Atty. Pacao said.

“SAFADECO is one of the top three out of fifty Micoop nationwide under the NATCCO. It is a model across the country.” Sylvia O. Paraguya, Chief Executive Officer of NATCCO said.

Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II in Sorsogon was very pleased of the SAFADECO’s achievement.

“SAFADECO is the only ARBO in the Philippines that was able to provide itself with an office building, funded by their own sweat. I am so proud of your performance,” he said.

When they created their logo, they did not forget to place there the figure of one (1) because it stands for the piso (one peso) which symbolized their humble beginning. But today, that figure stands for being number one among the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations especially in the province of Sorsogon.

Certainly, little things like piso should not be taken for granted because in time, little things can become big. ###

19 ARBs in Casiguran received land titles of their agricultural land

CLOA Distribution in Casiguran, Sorsogon under the leadership of Mariam G. Jamoralin, took place on June 23, 2017 which was attended by Angel Ayala, Municipal Administrator in Casiguran for the month of June in behalf of the Municipal Mayor; Oliver A. Estareja, Municipal Assessor; Domingo A. Venus, Jr., the LBP Representative; and Francisco De Castro, PARCCOM PSR for landowners who is also one of the heirs of one of the three (3) landowners of the distributed land and personally handed the Certificate of Landownership Awards (CLOAs) to their farmers. Nineteen (19) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) received the CLOAs of the landholding with a total area of 26.1404 hectares located at the barangays of Boton; Inlagadian; San Juan; and Tigbao, formerly owned by Severino Listana; Alejandro Estonanto; and Heirs of Jose De Castro, Sr. before it was placed under the compulsory acquisition. ###

Naburacan IPs learn new way of producing mat from karagomoy

Through Gender and Development Program (GAD), Leila B. Halcon, GAD Point Person of DAR Sorsogon brought the livelihood training on June 6-7, 2017 to Naburacan, Matnog, Sorsogon where the indigenous people were taught of making bags which are made up of bariw and karagomoy in a process similar to mat making. Bariw and karagomoy are native in the area. The Naburacan IPs knows only mat weaving, this time their skills were enhanced so that they may be able to produce other accessories from the same materials depending on what is in demand in the market. Furthermore, Deonebel A. Figueroa, Municipal Administrator of Matnog gave them hope as he said that the local government unit of Matnog will purchase their product and will become a part of the tourism project in the municipality. ###

MoA Signing for VLPCE in Bulusan

Village Level Processing Center Enhancement (VLPCE) Project soon to rise in San Roque, Bulusan, Sorsogon as Joel G. Fullleros, Barangay Chairperson and Cecilia G. Olan, Chairperson of Mount Bulusan Upland Farmers’ Association (MBUFA) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR Sorsogon on May 22, 2017 at the Barangay Hall of San Roque. Stated on the MOA is the privilege given by the Barangay to the MBUFA to construct the processing center within the Barangay lot and to use the space as long as their business is operational. This project will become the processing center of the MBUFA for their products – honey production from their honey bee culture. ###

12 ARBOs participated Organizational Management and Good Governance training

A training on Organizational Management and Good Governance was provided by DAR Sorsogon to the twelve (12) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations namely: Lahong- Pawa Farmers’ Irrigators’ Association (LAPAFARA); Ariman Tabi Irrigators’ Association (ATABIA); Fabrica Women’s Association (FAWAS); Mount Bintakan Farmers’ Organization (MAFO); Sorsogon Agro-Aquatic Dev’t Coop (SAADECO); San Juan Tillers’ Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Association (STARBA); Bigkis san mga Paraoma sa Bulan (BPB); Capuy-Basud Multipurpose Cooperative (CABAMUCO); ABC Irrigators’ Association (ABCIA); Naagtan-Bulacao Irrigators’ Association (NBIA); Barangay Sugod Farmers’ Association (BSUGFA); and Calateo Farmers’ Association (CAFA) on May 18-19, 2017. The participants were taught to adhere to good governance principles and practices – that is the exercise of fairness, accountability, and transparency in the management and operation in organizations; to ensure the organization’s compliance with labor and related laws; and to formulate effective policies for implementation. This activity was conducted in partnership with South-Luzon Federation of Cooperatives (SIDECO). ###

Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) Division reaching out countryside to educate

The PBD Division in DAR Sorsogon under the leadership of CARPO Liza B. Repotente is reaching out to the area of the forty-one (41) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations in the province of Sorsogon in order to capacitate them by providing the training on Records Management for Non-Financial Transactions and Training on Financial Policies, Systems, and Procedures which they began last March and expected to complete in July. The trainings provided and capacitated the participants with the basic competencies and skills required to enable them to effectively formulate good organizational policies, particularly they were taught how to come up with firmed, clear and well-defined financial policies; and capacitated them with the basic competencies required in maintaining and safeguarding important records of the association, particularly in securing records through preventive and protective measures. ###

Through ups and downs

FAWAS story of rising after the ebbs

The night was dark but the Fabrica Elementary School was glowing with different colors of fancy lights that the stars in the sky were shy to show off their brilliance. There were other stars in this night. They were young and beautifully dressed with elegant gowns. As they emerge on the stage and the spotlight draw on them one by one, the crowd applauded and shouted in admiration. They were the candidates in the search for Miss Fabrica in Bulan, Sorsogon. Twelve rural women in Barangay Fabrica initiated this idea of sponsoring a charity contest in order to generate fund.

They promised to give each participant with piglet as a prize or consolation for joining in the search. Unfortunately, the amount they have collected in the charity contest was smaller than the total amount of their promised prize. To settle the crisis, they decided to apply for a loan in Self Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Thenceforth, the DSWD invited them to attend Leadership Training in order for them to become a strong association. Since they were all women and they live in barangay Fabrica, they call their group Fabrica Women’s Association or FAWAS.

The four officers of FAWAS preparing Mom’s Best Pili Molido
for export in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The piglets that they prized to the participants of the charity contest have been grown and part of their agreement was to give back to their group two piglets from the same breed so that they can continue their hog dispersal project. Eventually, with this concept, FAWAS was able to recover from their loss, although it takes a while. Before they received the yields of their labor, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assisted them in the registration of their organization in the Securities of Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 14, 1998. Thereafter, they opened a bank account where they keep their funds. Their organization has twenty-five (25) membership at that time.

As a reward to themselves, they used their funds in tours, Christmas celebration, and birthday parties of the members. Their lack of knowledge on financial management resulted to bankruptcy. In 1999, their bank account has closed. In order to rise again, they went back on sponsoring charity contests and even a search for Ms. Gay.

In 2000, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) appeared at their threshold. Once again, they opened a new bank account. They invested Php3,000.00 in money lending. But in the end, only half of that amount was returned to the association. Some borrowers failed to pay their loan obligation.

They continued to be loyal in the association, anyway. They used the remaining savings in attending a one-month training on Food Processing in Legazpi City, sponsored by DTI. It was supposed to be a break for them because the agency offered to give them a Freezer. The DAR is about to provide them a piece of land and a building. The LGU-Bulan will be their client but they choose to work individually. So, the association did not earn anything from their labor.

“The association has no equipment and cooking tools for the food processing production that’s why we did not produce as an association. We thought that we will not be provided with those things,” explained Carmen Gliponeo, FAWAS Chairperson.

The luck was still so kind to them because the DAR was about to provide them with Thresher and Tractor which can be used by their husbands in farming, but again they refused.

“We refused because our husbands are more comfortable to work in the farm with their carabaos. We also lack knowledge on business management if we lease those equipment. So, what are we going to do with those things? We better not accept them,” Gliponeo said.

Needless to say, they sponsored again a charity contest as part of the barangay fiesta celebration. This is the easiest way they thought to collect additional fund for the association. This time, it was Mrs. Fabrica search. They kept the proceeds at the Bank. Later, they used it to finance their Travelling Expenses Vouchers (TEVs) whenever they attended trainings. Until only Php15,000.00 was left which was withdrawn by the former chairperson and the treasurer causing their account to be closed again. That amount was put into money lending according to the two officers, but the borrowers did not pay.

It was the point in FAWAS history that the members began to lose their confidence with the officers. Like an aircraft that lost its break, the organization fell and faced with great wreckage.

In 2012, through the effort of Madeleine C. Belmonte, the Development Facilitator of DAR in Bulan, they were re-organized. Then, they attended trainings on Pili Processing with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO). They were taught to use pilinuts in lieu of peanut for every candies and pastries that uses peanut like molido, brittle, buding, chocolate coated, etc.

Gil Garrido, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer
of Bulan greets Carmen Gliponeo, Chairperson of FAWAS.
Behind are other members of FAWAS, the Technical Assistant
and VLPCE Focal Person of DAR Sorsogon

“Each of us tried the new thing we learned with our household first. In 2013, Lynn Erevete, the technical assistant assigned to us, encouraged our association to produce pili sweets and make it the flagship of FAWAS,” Gliponeo said.

By that time, their membership was twenty-four (24) but only the half of that is active. Nonetheless, with their new product, they were again ready for takeoff.  So, on September 16, 2014 the DAR helped them to be registered in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Being cautious now from the lessons learned, they attended series of training workshops that were facilitated by Maribel J. Lubiano such as Financial Management; Basic Accounting for Non-Accountant; Internal Control; Business Management and Entrepreneurship; Organizational Policies, Systems and Procedures; and other capacity development related trainings.

“Afterwards, Madam Liza Repotente gave us one thousand pesos for additional capital to start our Pili Processing business. It’s her way of expressing her good luck wishes to us,” Gliponeo said.

From then on, they engaged themselves in the production of Pili candies and pastries. To be able to identify them with other producers, they called their products “Mom’s Best” because they are all mothers, and they believed that they know what’s best for those pili sweet lovers. They participated in trade fairs like Urgulyo kan Bicol at the Mega Mall, Kasanggayahan Trade Fair in Sorsogon City, Gainza Trade Fair in Naga City, and Food Caravan in Bulan, Sorsogon.

On January 26, 2016 they became a recipient of Village Level Processing Center Enhancement (VLPCE) Program of DAR which became their gateway in obtaining more equipment, tools, and other materials which are necessary for their venture. Aside from that, they also received support services from the Agrarian Reform Communities’ Project II (ARCP2).

“We are so grateful to DAR. For all the ups and downs in our life as an association, it is the DAR that did not gave up on us. It poured all the resources we needed to raise up again. It inspired us to sustain this endeavor,” Gliponeo said.

This summer, FAWAS has plans of imparting their knowledge to the farmers’ children in their area because they want to generate next liners who can produce the sweets as tasty as their produce. Mom’s Best products such as Pili Molido, Pili Brittle, and Peanut Butter are the favorite pasalubongs of the travellers, and in schools. It is also available anytime upon orders.

Like a yacht that floats in a turbulent sea, the FAWAS needs a courageous captain to surpass all the trials. But as long as the support of DAR is there, they are confident that no matter how deep the ebbs of tide plunge them, they are able to rise again.  ###

SAFADECO’s greatest dare

On-going construction of the SAFADECO's building

SAFADECO’s purchased of 520 square meter lot is one of their greatest achievement. Soon, the construction of their office building which they can call their own will begin. This is the cooperative’s dream which the present management strived to accomplish as legacy.

“The structure is designed for a three-story. The ground floor will be for the credit and savings office, the second floor will be the office of the administrative and manager, the third floor will be the function hall where we can held special occasions like our general assembly,” Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, General Manager said.

Since 2012, when the cooperative launched its microfinance program they are spending Php420,000.00 every year for the payment of the office space rental. This is already big amount which supposed to be an additional fund for their credit program wherein both members and the cooperative will benefit if only they have their own office building and lot.

Last 2016, Gerwyn D. Pura, NATCCO Area Manager assigned to SAFADECO saw the performance of the cooperative and said that they have already the capacity to acquire a lot and office building. This is also a chance seen by the NATCCO to offer them a long term loan for real state and building construction which the SAFADECO accepted.

“Although this is still a loan which the cooperative has to pay every month, but at least the paying period will lasts for only ten years. After that, the lot and the building will be theirs. Unlike when they are renting, they are paying every month with thousands of pesos for a structure they will never owned,” NATCCO Area Manager said.

Now that SAFADECO is going to have its own office building, the more the members felt the spirit of cooperativism in which they continued to say “United we stand, together we are strong!!!” ###

Sorsogon PARCCOM audience DAR Secretary

The Sorsogon Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM)

with Sec. Rafael V. Mariano

DAR Sec. Rafael V. Mariano gives positive response to the resolutions presented by the Sorsogon PARCCOM during their visit at the DAR Central Office on April 19, 2017 which according to him was the first PARCCOM to audience him since his assumption to office.

One of the resolutions pertain to Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) requesting to lift the prohibition in the Phase 3-B so that the LTI Division can proceed to the documentation of landholdings belonging to this phase.

“Republic Act 9700 has already lapse, so those prohibition could possibly have lapsed, too,” Engr. Noli O. Olitin, Chief in LTI Division said.

The PARCCOM met also Rosalina L. Bistoyong, Undersecretary for Support Services Office who expressed her support on Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) related resolutions. One of these is to consider the member of ARB household as accomplishment for ARB trained. This is due to the fact that most of the ARBs are aged and no longer capable of attending trainings, so they send their spouse or children in their behalf. Thus, Usec. Bistoyong assured them that she will make a memorandum regarding this matter.

Another issue which she had expressed her support is the physical infrastructure which the Indigenous People in Naburacan, Matnog, Sorsogon wished to obtain. According to her, she will coordinate with Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Department of Agriculture for the funding of this project which can possibly be procured by year 2018.

Likewise the Catanagan Communal Irrigation Project in Juban, Sorsogon which has been validated in 2005, she said she will coordinate with the National Irrigation Administration for the funding this year.

The PARCCOM also meet Sylvia F. Mallari, Undersecretary of Foreign Assisted Projects Office; Atty. Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam, Director of Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance; and Olga Clemente, Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) Secretariat who noticed the capability of Francisco De Castro, Sorsogon PARCCOM Private Sectoral Representative for Landowners as potential representative of Landowners in the PARC. ###

Magallanes CLOA Distribution

Naburacan IPs at DAR’s threshold

Matnog, Sorsogon – the first recognized Indigenous People in the province of Sorsogon by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) is the Naburacan Tribal Community. According to Diogenes Garbida, Chieftain, their group belongs to Cimaron-Tabangnon.

On March 17, 2017 under the Gender and Development (GAD) program, the DAR Provincial Office of Sorsogon headed by Leonito M. Gaveria conducted an organizational and leadership training to the group. Majority of them are identified as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). This activity marks the beginning of DAR’s intervention with the Naburacan Tribal Community.

Through this training and with the presence of Dionebel A. Figueroa, Municipal Administrator they were able to express their desire of having an access road towards their area which is an ancestral domain and protected from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. In behalf of Hon. Claudith So, Municipal Mayor of Matnog, Figueroa said that Naburacan IPs will take a big part in the tourism activities of the locale. This implies that they should have a showcase of their culture if guests visit Naburacan, Matnog.

Related to this, Rosalina L. Bistoyong, USEC of Support Services Office expressed her support during the visit of PARCCOM Sorsogon at DAR Central Office to coordinate with Secretary Piñol of the Department of Agriculture for the funding of the Naburacan farm-to-market road. ###

Turn-Over of the 2nd Water Treatment Facility in Ogod, Donsol, Sorsogon

Turn-Over of FMR in Ogod, Donsol, Sorsogon

SAFADECO reaching out

Castilla and Bulan Satellite Offices

Reaching out the countryside, SAFADECO opened an additional two satellite offices for the convenience of members and would be members.

SAFADECO has truly gone far. From the one peso contribution of its pioneers, its benefits reached two thousand twenty four (2,024) clients starting at a small barangay of Salvacion, Sorsogon City to the whole province of Sorsogon.

The cooperative never stops in making way on how to improve their service. After establishing their satellite office in Irosin which cater the members in that municipality and the nearby municipalities of Bulusan, Juban, Matnog, and Sta. Magdalena, SAFADECO opened another two satellite offices. One is situated at the heart of Castilla to accommodate the members coming from the municipalities of Pilar, and Castilla. The other one is located at the commercial center of Bulan, Sorsogon to serve the large number of customers in that municipality.

“I am so thankful that SAFADECO has now a satellite office here in Bulan. Before, I still go to Irosin to make transaction. By making their office accessible, it’s not only the money for transportation that I can save now but also my time and energy,” Rhodea Gidoc, SAFADECO member in Bulan said. 

The same convenience was felt by Emerlita Maraña. According to her, since the opening of SAFADECO satellite office in Castilla she finds it easy to bring friends to the cooperative.

The opening of SAFADECO satellite offices had also brought ease to the Development Officers and it generated jobs for those qualified applicants living in the area.

It is indeed true that little things like piso (one peso) should not be taken for granted because in time, little things can become big. ###

DAR Sorsogon receive lot

PARPO Gaveria and Mayor Sally A. Lee shake hands after the MOA and DOD signing

This time, it is not the Department of Agrarian Reform gave lot, but rather the receiver. Under the leadership of City Mayor Sally A. Lee, the local government unit of Sorsogon City allotted a 1,131 square meters lot for the DAR Provincial Office of Sorsogon. This morning (March 6, 2017) at around 10 o’clock, Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II signed the Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Donation at the City Mayor’s Office.

This is in accordance to the government’s one-stop shop policy that all national government agencies shall be located at one area so that it will be more accessible for the public to make transactions. ###

Training on Cacao Production

“Sarong Sorsogon, Satuyang Pauswagon” Bicol’s first great launch of PDPs

Sorsogon’s governor and PARPO II signing the Memorandum of Agreement

Sorsogon, DAR successfully launched the Strategic Alliance Building and Strengthening Partnership Development in Sorsogon on March 2, 2017 at the Provincial Gymnasium attended by Gov. Robert A. Lee-Rodrigueza; City Mayor Sally A. Lee; Atty. Joan Elizabeth Lorenzano Aquende, Mayor of Castilla; Mayor Romeo A. Gordola of Bulan;  Arze Glipo, Provincial Board Member; and other government and private officials.

One of the objectives of this activity is to mobilize resources for the ARBOs, ARBs, rural women and landowners who are willing to engage in enterprise. Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II thanked the strong support and commitment shown by the Governor, Mayors, CIAs, and ARBOs who attended this big event. The government allocated Php9.844 million for these interventions this year.

“This is engaging development partners and taking the pathway of socio-economic stability together. With this goal and battle cry for commitment and hardwork, ‘Pauswagon ta an Paraomang Sorsoganon’, we shall pursue not just one heart, but a multiple of working hands, creative minds, energetic feet, listening ears and gentle lips of stakeholders of Sorsogon and other institutional partners,” Liza B. Repotente, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for the Provincial Program Beneficiaries Development Division said.

The program involves the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, presentation and symbolic unveiling of the eleven (11) 2017 partnership development projects (PDPs) in the municipalities and five (5) regular programs for ARBs, Rural Women, and Landowners wherein leaders of ARB Organizations, and Head Officials place their signatures on the posters as manifestation of their sincere commitment. The occasion became more sprightly and inspiring with the participation of Sorsogon State College Marching Band led by Elmer P. Esplana.

Mayor Sally A. Lee,

Sorsogon City Mayor

signing the commitment board.

 “It’s very impressive. This is the first time in Bicol that DAR Provincial Office held a great occasion like this that was attended by high officials from both private and public offices. Congratulations to DAR Sorsogon,” Benjar M. Romero, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer said.

According to City Mayor Sally A. Lee, the local government units are always the front liners of every project. If the policy was not downloaded to the LGUs, it will not be implemented. “What we are doing today is good. There is alliance, not in isolation,” she said.

“We just need hard work and determination to fulfill all these commitments,” Governor Rodrigueza said pointing on the eleven partnership development projects: (1) Agrarian Production Credit Program – Capacity Development; (2) Village Level Farms/Crops-focused Enterprise Development; (3) Social Entrepreneurship; (4) Farm Business School; (5) Community-Manage Potable Water and Sanitation Hygiene; (6) Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty; (7) Program Beneficiaries’ Development Lawyering; (8) Cooperative Strengthening; (9) Climate Change Proofing; (10) Climate Resilience Farm Productivity Project in climate proofed areas; and (11) Sustainable livelihood support for disaster affected areas. ###

New PARCCOM PSRs undergo orientation seminar

The PSRs listening attentively to the PARCCOM Chairman

DAR Sorsogon headed by Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, conducted a 2-day seminar to the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) in Sorsogon to orient them on PARC Executive Committee Administrative Order No. 01, series of 1997 in order for them to have knowledge on the latest implementing guidelines strengthening the formation, organization and operation of the PARCCOM; and be aware of the 2017 targets on Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD), Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD), and Agrarian Justice Delivery (AJD).

“They needed this seminar because majority of the Private Sectoral Representatives are new to PARCCOM,” Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr. , Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I said. ###

21 Farmers in Barcelona got CLOAs

The CLOA Distribution in Barcelona, Sorsogon

“In 1986 when President Cory Aquino assumed in her office and approved the passage of the Republic Act 6657, after thirty years, here’s your land title. It took a long time because the process is dragging. Anyway, it’s worth the wait,” Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II said during the distribution of Certificate Landownership Award (CLOA) in Barcelona, Sorsogon to the twenty one (21) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on February 22, 2017.

The ceremony was also attended by Domingo Venus, LBP representative; Cynthia Evasco, Municipal Assessor; and Atty. Manuel Fortes, Mayor of Barcelona who previously worked in DAR as Legal Officer expressing his concern for the tough work of DAR employees in processing the land titling.

Emmanuel M. Preña, the Technical Assistant in Barcelona encouraged the new ARBs to join Bangate Multi-purpose Cooperative or any agricultural organization so that they may have access on support services.

According to Engr. Noli O. Olitin, Chief in Land Tenure Improvement this is the first time that Barcelona had a CLOA distribution ceremony. Engr. Hilario Fruto, Jr. has also expressed his gladness that his municipal agrarian reform office (MARO) was able to contribute on the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) accomplishment of the province.

For the time being, DAR Sorsogon is still doing great effort to distribute more landholdings. The Task Force on Problematic Landholding is having an inventory, review, and validation of problematic landholdings on every municipalities of Sorsogon making their best to transform them into workable so that more farmers would be benefited. ###

SARBIPA soon producer of Dried Danggit

SARBIPA -  just like waking from a long deep sleep, now they are full of energy and inspired by the presence of DAR, they avow to make the Prieto Diaz the center of Dried Danggit in Sorsogon.

On February 21, 2017 Emmanuel M. Preña and Julie L. Encinas, Technical Assistants for Program Beneficiaries Development reorganized the Special Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Indigenous People’s Association (SARBIPA) of Prieto Diaz. The activity was attended by 15 Chieftains and Barangay Chairpersons that composed of thirteen barangays in the Prieto Diaz  Special Agrarian Reform Community (SARC).

Their membership is composed of fifty, twelve of them are officers who pledged to contribute Php500.oo each to start the production of dried Danggit. Danggit is a fish with a rabbit-like mouth which Cebu is popular for this species. DAR promised to assist them in marketing. ###

ARBOs benefit DAR-EastWest partnership

Six ARBOs in the province of Sorsogon have already felt the benefit of DAR – East West Seeds Philippines partnership. 

A. Bonifacio Farmers and Irrigators’ Association (ABFIA) in Bulan, Sorsogon; G. Del Pilar Farmers’ Association (GPIFA), also in Bulan, Sorsogon; Lajong Natural Vegetable Growers Association in Juban, Sorsogon; Sipaya Small Farmers’ Association (SISFA) also in Juban, Sorsogon; BIGKIS Farmers’ Producers Cooperative in Irosin, Sorsogon; and Monbon Farmers’ Association (MonFA) also in Irosin, Sorsogon receives cash and seedlings to start their chosen business.

The DAR funded the project for the trainings of the ARBOs. They were taught how to run the business on Seedloan, and Farm-input loan; they also learned Vegetable Production; and Vermiculture, this is the production of organic fertilizer using worms to decompose organic food waste, then turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material capable of supplying necessary nutrients to help sustain plant growth. This is the business adopted by the BIGKIS. The SISFA chose Vegetable Production to be their business. ABFIA ventured also in Vermiculture but they also have farm-input loan. GPIFA’s choice of business is a combination of Vermiculture and Seedloan. Lajong and MonFA are purely on Seedloan. 

After sharing the knowledge by the East West Seeds Philippines headed by Dr. Roberto R. Acosta, Technology Transfer Manager, they provided the seedlings and cash to ARBOs. ABFIA got a total amount of Php215,932.17; GPIFA got Php151,452.28; MonFA got Php178,803.74; BIGKIS got Php117,985.21; SISFA got 86,163.72; and Lajong got 270,371.11. These are grants that’s why ARBOs are so thankful of this partnership.

According to CARPO Liza B. Repotente, while the Land Tenure Improvement Division (LTID) of DAR provides land to the farmers, it is now their (Program Beneficiaries’ Development Division) turn to provide the support services like this in order to make the land productive.

“During our distribution of CLOA in Irosin last month, I remember the chairman of Bigkis said that they still need DAR’s support because their knees are still weak since they are just beginners. So, with the trainings and the amount granted to you by DAR-East West Seeds partnership you have now the reason to become strong,” Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II said. ###