A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM REGION 5

1. 1
PAGES 8PAGE 2 PAGE 5 SAFADECO satellite
office opens in Irosin
Multi - million worth
of infra projects
turned over in ARC
PAMAHIMA
Photo NewsFIRST FARM BUSINESS
SCHOOL IN BICOL
LAUNCHED
PAGES 6-7
180 farmers undergo training on organic crop production through FFS. story on page 2
see story on page 3
The new landowners
from Capalonga with
their CLOA, pose with
the DARPO Camarines
Norte personnel
headed by PARPO
II Roseller Olayres
(2nd from right).

2. 2
Cover StoryON THE COVER
JULY-AUGUST 2015
At least 180 agrarian reform farmers from Camarines
Sur are currently attending the farmers field schools
(FFS) and being trained on organic crop production.
Said field schools are being carried out in selected
agrarian reform areas that include Amoguis, Lagonoy;
Danlog, San Jose; Buracan, Sagñay; Tinangis, Pili; and
May-Ogob and San Antonio in the municipality of
Ocampo.
The program is part of the continuing agricultural
extension support to Agrarian Reform Community
Connectivity and Economic Support Services
(ARCCESS) project of the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) in partnership with the Department of
Agriculture- Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and
Local Government Units (LGUs).
The program is intended to promote organic
farming, improve food security and rural income, and
reduce poverty which are still prevalent in said areas
and around the province.
Farmers are taking a season-long training program
or a 16-week sessions for one day in a week to study
proven agricultural practices, by which they can
increase their yield and production and protect their
crops. Farmers are also trained on producing organic
fertilizers and pesticides which they can apply on their
own farms.
FFS typically uses participatory approach learning
process which are helpful in spreading and sharing
the technologies they learned with each other.
“We want to make every farmer’s farms and
backyards to be as productive as possible and turn
their farms into business by making it a sustainable
venture for our local farmers and this is what DAR
wants to replicate”, said Camarines Sur II agrarian
reform chief Maria Gracia R. Sales.
“When we started, only a handful of farmers showed
signs of interest and knew about what organic was.
Now they understand it more and they are learning
from field observations and experimentation. I can
see now their minds are changing. Day by day, they
are getting it”, she said.
Sales said the DAR has allocated more than
P400,000 for the three-month training on organic
vegetable, rice and corn production.
The farmers received planting materials from
DAR and attend series of classes from planting until
harvest which is facilitated by competent agricultural
technicians from DA.
It is one way of helping the province attain its goal
of food sustainability and agricultural productivity,
“that’s why we (DAR) decided to train and continue
encouraging our farmers produce organically grown
crops”, said Sales.
She assured DAR will stay helping the farmers and
told them to cooperate and work hard because such
training would improve their quality of life.
(Gerardo S. Buensalida)
The Department of Agrarian Reform here launched its first Farm Business School, August 17, 2015 at San Antonio, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. The Farm Business School
(FBS) is implemented under the project “Capacity Building of Small Farmers in Entrepreneurship Development and Market Access”, through collaboration of the
Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-
UN), and the local government units concerned.
Initially, a total of 35 farmers-members of Ayugan San Antonio Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ASAARCO) in San Antonio, Ocampo will undergo a series of group-
based experiential learning activities or a 25-day training sessions (from August 17 to November 13) to help them learn and develop their capacity in running a profitable
farm business for long-term sustainability. As a result, Farm Business Schools help family farms to access new markets and respond to ever-changing market demands.
Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Maria Gracia Sales, DA-ATI training superintendent Vivien Carable, DAR regional and provincial personnel, and local officials
of the municipality of Ocampo graced the occasion. (Gerardo S. Buensalida)
180 farmers undergo training
on organic crop production through FFS
FIRST FARM BUSINESS SCHOOL IN BICOL LAUNCHED
In photo (seated): ASAARCO chair Myrna N. Dimanarig, DA-ATI training superintendent Vivien Carable, DAR Camarines Sur II provincial chief Maria Gracia R. Sales, Ocampo
agrarian reform program officer Ricardo Morante, and Bgy. Captain Pepito Elianza. Standing at the back are the 35 farmer-participants and DAR provincial personnel.

3. 3
FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY
JULY-AUGUST 2015
Rep. Leni Robredo (3rd District, Camarines Sur)
presented before DSWD, DAR and DA officials the
lessons learned and challenges facing the pilot
implementation of the Partnership Against Hunger
and Poverty in the Third District of Camarines
Sur during the Echo Session of the Study Tour in
Brazil and Meeting on PAHP Updates held at the
Department of Social Welfare and Development
central office in Quezon City, August 10, 2015.
Present were DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman,
DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes, and other regional
and national officials of the 3 departments.
Pilot areas for the PAHP program in Camarines Sur
are San Antonio, Ocampo; Del Rosario, Pili; Bonot-
Sta-Rosa, Calabanga; and Cararayan-Pacol-San
Isidro in Naga City.
PHAP is a collaborative effort between the
Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to
engage poor households and work closely with the
rural communities to provide essential social and
economic services toward eliminating hunger and
alleviating poverty in the countryside
This collaborative multi-stakeholder program will
target the creation of a community food hub (a
localized version of Brazil’s community food banks)
to serve as a facility that can store food items for the
various feeding programs of the DSWD and other
similar on the ground programs of other agencies
like the education, health, and local government
departments.
Local smallholder farmers will be tasked to
ensure a steady food supply for various feeding
programs. Because community food hubs will be
used, partner beneficiaries will be empowered
to become economically sustainable. This will
ultimately benefit their families and communities.
(Gerardo S. Buensalida
Fourteen (14) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) finally got hold of the long awaited
Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from DAR Provincial heads PARPO II Roseller
Olayres and PARPO I Camilo Del Monte.
The distribution of CLOA happened on September 3, 2015 during the ARBs’ Forum conducted
for the municipality of Daet, Camarines Norte at Brgy. Calasgasan. A total of 16.3045 hectares
were distributed under the Compulsory Acquisition (CA) and Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT)
schemes, where 9.2627 hectares came from the town of Capalonga and 7.0418 hectares from
Daet.
Together with the CLOA, the ARBs also received the corresponding tax declaration of their
landholdings. This policy issuance on the provision of Tax Declaration along with the CLOA is a
brainchild of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) - Camarines
Norte which aims at facilitating the instant payment of taxes of the awarded land by the ARBs to
aid the government especially the Local Government Units to boost the tax collection on Real
Property.
The distribution was assisted by OIC MARPO of Daet, Erlinda Lee and OIC MARPO of Capalonga,
Bernie Flores, and the PARCCOM Officers headed by Chairperson Rosario Pascual.
The area distributed represents 0.67% of the total target of the province in terms of land
acquisition and distribution (LAD). (Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Ann R. Botardo)
ARBs receive CLOAs in Camarines Norte
DAR-Masbate reorganizes SLP recipients
The members of the Sustainable Area-based Rural
Enterprise Development (SARED) Section of DAR-
Masbate’s Program Beneficiaries Development
Division (PBDD) paid a visit to Balud, Masbate on
August 14, 24 and 25, 2015 to reorganize the Peoples
Organizations (POs) and Farmers Organizations (FOs)
in the municipality.
These FOs and POs are the San Andres-Tambobo
Farmers Organizations, Casamongan Farmers
Organization, Dao Peoples Organization and
Mabuhay Peoples Organization, all recipients of the
Sustainable Livelihood Project (SLP). The SLP, which will
be implemented in 2016, has a total budget of One
(1) Million pesos, to be divided equally among the
recipient organizations.
The SARED team, headed by ARPO II Marialuz P.
Azares together with staff members Ryan G. Goño,
Bonalyn Zurbito Lanuza and Rey Oliva travelled the
far flung barangays of Balud, a municipality 76.8
kilometers from Masbate City, to reorganize the FOs
and POs and coordinate with them regarding the
necessary preparations for the proposed Input Trading
Project under the SLP program of DAR.
The SARED staff validated
the number of Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries (ARBs) and members
of the organizations in the area who
are target recipients of the program.
They also conducted “pulong-
pulong” wherein they interviewed the
members of the organizations about
livelihood needs and plans for their
communities.
The San Andres-Tambobo FO which
has sixty (60) members, Casamongan
FO with forty-five (45) and Dao PO
with eighty (80) want Swine Dispersal
Livelihood project while Mabuhay
PO which has the most number of
members with one hundred eighty-
five (185) need Farm Inputs.
“We need to reorganize and strengthen these FOs
and POs so that DAR’s SLP project will have maximum
impact to their respective communities. The success
of these projects will greatly depend upon its
sustainability. We will guide them every step of the
way to realize this,” ARPO II Marialuz P. Azares said.
(Ross A. Lustestica)
An ARB from Capalonga receiving the CLOA from PARPO II Ross
Olayres. Witnessing are (fr L) MARPO Bernie Flores, PARCCOM
Chairperson Rosario Pascual, Provincial Assessor Virgilio Tuazon and
PARPO I Camilo Del Monte.
The new set of elected officers of Casamongan Farmers Organization with
their Chairman Ernesto Benig (in red shirt) and DAR-Masbate’s PBDD-
SARED staff Bonalyn Z. Lanuza (rightmost) announcing their names and
position in the organization. The Casamongan Farmers Organization is one of
the four (4) organizations in the municipality of Balud which were chosen as
recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DAR in 2016.

4. 4 JULY-AUGUST 2015
Masbate ARBs take oath and sign APFU
In a legal point of view, a farmer-tenant becomes
a legitimate and recognized beneficiary of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)
after he/she has taken oath before a Municipal Trial
Court (MTC) Judge, and has signed the Application
to Purchase and Farmers Undertaking (APFU).
This procedure is provided under Section 60 of
DAR Administrative Order No. 7, Series of 2011,
wherein a Municipal Agrarian Reform Program
Officer (MARPO) is required to assist qualified farmer-
tenants to personally appear before an MTC Judge
and swear that they will cultivate the lands awarded
to them, fulfill the amortizations in the Land Bank of
the Philippines (LBP), and pay the land taxes to the
government. They are also required to sign the APFU
which basically embodies their intent to perform all
legal obligations and responsibilities of an Agrarian
Reform Beneficiary (ARB).
This is what took place in two separate undertakings
last August 26 and 28, 2015 in the Municipal Circuit
Trial Courts (MCTCs) of Pio V. Corpus/Cataingan and
Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson.
The first was in the 6th MCTC of
Pio V. Corpus/Cataingan wherein
MARPO Rolando F. Sullano of
DARMO-Cataingan/Pio V. Corpus
presented to the Court’s Presiding
Judge Mary Flor Tabigue-Logarta
thirty-five (35) qualified ARBs of an
agricultural land, part and parcel
of the Legarda Estate, which was
voluntarily offered by Rita Legarda,
Inc. to the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) for acquisition and
distribution.
The 35 ARBs from barangay
Bagumbayan in Cataingan are
beneficiaries of two (2) lots with
Title Numbers T-13690 and T-13692
covering an area of 39.3897 and
26.9458 hectares respectively. According to MARPO
Sullano, this is just one of the many batches of ARBs
who will be awarded lands from the 261.4653-hectare
portion of the vast Legarda Estate which was
acquired by the DAR through the Voluntary Offer to
Sell scheme
The ceremony was facilitated by the DARMO-
Cataingan/Pio V. Corpus staff members, ARPT/DF
Gilbert L. Dela Peña, ARPT Imelda B. Mahayag, Jose
Ramiro Ramirez, and Reynan Pugado; and MCTC
staff, Clerk of Court II Ma. Bella C. Bailon and Jr.
Process Server Perfecto A. Tamayo II. MARPO Joselito
T. Caleza of DARMO-Placer/Esperanza and his staff
were also present during the activity to show their
support.
The second activity was held in the MCTC of
Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson which is presided by
Hon. Judge Fred Aguilar Bien. The ceremony was
participated by three (3) DAR Municipal Offices,
namely, DARMOs Uson South, Uson North and
Dimasalang, headed by MARPO Antonio B. Rosario,
OIC-MARPO Ruben S. Franco and MARPO Alexander
B. Delera, respectively.
DARMO-Uson South has the most number of
ARBs with a total of twenty-five (25). They are the
beneficiaries of five (5) landholdings consisting an
aggregate area of 49.4667 hectares, located in
barangays Aurora, San Ramon and Mabuhay.
For DARMO-Uson North, there were ten (10) ARBs
who qualified for the two (2) landholdings owned by
Conchita Lim and Eduardo Sia, with Title Numbers
T-5654 and T-13201, consisting an area of 14.5677 and
14.4422 hectares, respectively. These landholdings
are located in barangays Panicijan and Libertad.
On the other hand DARMO-Dimasalang has four
qualified ARBs for the 5.1497-hectare property of
Bibiana Certifico located in barangay Buracan.
Judge Bien administered the ARBs’ oath in separate
batches since he wanted to personally validate the
identity and actual number of the beneficiaries per
landholding. His strict and meticulous approach in
dealing with the process is somewhat associated
with his keen knowledge of CARP-related rules and
procedures since he was once a DAR employee.
“Once you have taken the oath and signed the
APFU you immediately become bound by law to fulfill
your duties and responsibilities as Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries exactly as you have stated them out
loud before me.” Judge Bien said repeatedly after
every batch of ARBs took their oath.
The ARB oath taking and signing of APFU was
facilitated by the hardworking staff of the three (3)
DARMOs and the MCTC Dimasalang/Palanas/Uson,
namely, ARPTs Ricky R. Tambal, Feliciano B. Delera,
Edna C. Vallena and technical staff members,
Iphrahim Rebaya, Rocelyn Palanas, Jessa Donieto,
Marilou Conde, Clerk of Court II Magin P. Salipot, Clerk
II Rosie E. Adigue and Jr. Process Server Apolinario E.
Nene. (Ross A. Lustestica)
Hon. Judge Fred Aguilar Bien (extreme left) administering the ARBs’
oathtaking in Uson, Masbate, with OIC-MARPO Ruben S. Franco (in blue
shirt) witnessing the significant event.
A three-day Skills Enhancement for DAR Region V Legal Sector was held on
August 26-28,2015 at Hotel Villa Caceres in Naga City as part of the management’s
strategy to continuously educate the said sector with the new administrative
rules and guidelines as well as recent cases decided upon in relation to the
implementation of the CARPER program.
DAR officials who are expert on the topics lined-up for discussion served as the
resource persons during said activity – former Undersecretary turned consultant
Atty.Augusto P. Quijano, BALA Director Atty. Maria Celestina M.Tam, BALA Executive
Assistant III Oscar Santos,Asst. Dir. Samuel Solomero,Asst. Dir. Rodrigo Realubit,Atty.
Jaime Resoco, Jr. and Atty. Ramon Cabanes, Jr; likewise, CSC Director II Jocelyn
Lozada-Marifosque.
Atty. Resoco
ARDA Rod Atty. Quijano Atty.Tam ARDO Sam
DARAB V MID YEAR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LCMS CLEANSING AND
TRAINING WORKSHOP. Said activity was conducted in order to have a clear
vision and specific goals on how to accomplish targets and its increments
and to ensure that the LCMS templates for every PARAD office will be updated,
cleansed and sustained in line with the DAR’s mandate of uniformity in data
tracking and overall monitoring efficiency.
With the concerted plan of action, DARAB V will be capacitated to perform
towards zero backlog target. Shared best practices will be documented and
replicated as they may be applicable only in Agrarian Legal Sector but also
in other MFPs within the sphere of DAR.
Photo shows PARAD Romer Montales, RARAD Alberto Besinal, PARAD Raddy
Tolentino and PARAD Gene Villareal with the DARAB V personnel.
(Flora A. Serra)

5. 5
Salvacion Farmers Development Cooperative (SAFADECO) once again has
proven its competence in financial management as it opens a satellite office in
Alonzo St., San Juan, Irosin, Sorsogon.
SAFADECO is a farmer’s organization in Salvacion, Sorsogon City which engages
in copra trading and operates a consumer store. It was registered in Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) as cooperative in March 9, 2010, and caters four
barangaysinSorsogonCity.AstheDepartmentofAgrarianReformteamedupwith
the National Confederation of Cooperatives, SAFADECO became the recipient
of MiCoop@ARAs program which gave way to the cooperative’s savings and
credit business launched on October 9, 2012 at Jamoralin St., Burabod, Sorsogon
City, extending its coverage to the municipalities of Casiguran and Castilla; and
the City of Sorsogon.
According to Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, SAFADECO’s General Manager,
it was the year when they enthusiastically “knocked” unto the hearts and minds
of their prospect members. It was SAFADECO’s historic period as the cooperative
management team zealously gave its best to sustain the trust and confidence of
everybody especially the pioneer members. Their efforts proved to be worthy as
they made their operations province wide. Eventually, a satellite office in Irosin,
Sorsogon was launched on July 9, 2015.
“I’m very glad that SAFADECO has now a satellite office. At first, when NATCCO
offered this partnership, I was hesitant; I didn’t want to put our cooperative at
risk. But today, seeing how far our services have reached, I am satisfied and
thankful especially to the effort and dedication of our staff for the effective and
efficient operation of the cooperative as well as to the NATCCO’s area manager
for his perpetual support,” BOD Chairperson Tita L. Desquitado said during the
launching.
SAFADECO has a five-year contract with NATCCO which will end in 2017. The
area manager was so pleased witnessing the success of SAFADECO after the
challenges it had overcome.
“Now, it has many members, the operation is excellent, and the camaraderie
of officers, staff, and members is great. NATCCO is just here all the time to assist in
your operation of micoop program. Since our five-year contract is almost at end,
if your operation sustained its performance, you can buy out from NATCCO. A
one million income this year is still small. But if everybody will work hard to hit the
one million target this year, that would be SAFADECO’s first one million income,”
Area Manager Pura said, challenging the cooperative.
DAR Sorsogon too, feels satisfied of SAFADECO’s achievement. This is indeed an
evidence of farmers empowerment.
“I am very happy and proud because the cooperative which has been once
DAR’s baby is now grown-up while broadening the area that it serves. DAR will
always be here to support your program. I will wait and expect for that one million
income achievement, wishing that your prestigious performance will remain,”
PARPO Leonito Gaveria said.
SAFADECO’s satellite office is open to serve Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM
to 5:00 PM, and during Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN. Pre-membership
education seminar is conducted during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00
AM. (Alura A. Jaso)
JULY-AUGUST 2015
More than 100 Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) officers and
members in Albay attended the series of capability enhancement training.
The BARC as the smallest unit implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP) plays a vital role in facilitating the land acquisition and
distribution (LAD). It is multi-sectoral body composed of government and private
sector representatives. It serves as the mediator and conciliator between parties
involved in agrarian disputes. Among its specific functions are: (a) assist the DAR
personnel in the identification of qualified-beneficiaries, as well as of landowners
and their landholdings within the barangay; (b) verify and attest to the accuracy
of the initial parcellary mapping of the prospective beneficiaries’ tillage; (c) assist
the LBP in the initial determination of the value of the land to be covered by CARP;
(d) coordinate the delivery of support services to the CARP beneficiaries.
With such gargantuan tasks, the enhancement training for the BARC
aims to increase access and speed up the acquisition and distribution of
lands through the active participation of the BARC. Specifically, the training
aims to assist the BARC in resolving land tenure issues and other agrarian
related concerns through a continuing information and education that
will enhance and upgrade their knowledge, attitudes and skills; to assist
in strengthening and capacitating selected BARC in barangays with
high LAD balances; to provide technical assistance to MARPOs and
technical personnel in the identification of lands for coverage; validation
of qualifications of identified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs); assist in
determining lands that can be placed under leasehold in the identified
provinces; and to engage in networking with agrarian reform advocates
for policy reforms in resolving agrarian reform issues.
Likewise, the training which was held in Polangui, Pioduran, Ligao City, Tabaco
City and Daraga, Albay, respectively, aims to enhance the capacity of the BARC
on the different laws and issuances relative to mediation and conciliation. This will
guide the BARC in facilitating the LAD and resolve agrarian issues and concerns.
This capability enhancement is basically an integration of the land tenure
improvement (LTI) and Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) interphase
of CARP. In as much as CARP is a multi-sectoral agency, we recognize the
indispensable part of the BARC in achieving what the program to gain – a
successful and meaningful agrarian reform program. (Ancie L. Lawenko)
DAR Albay spearheads Capability
Enhancement Training for
BARC Officers and Members
SAFADECO satellite office opens in Irosin
Participants of the Cluster 3 BARC Enhancement Training at Carolyna Hotel & Restaurant, Tabaco
CIty with ARPO II Leonardo S. Araya and OIC-CARPO for PBDD Engr. Herbert V. Tengco.
DAR Sorsogon headed by PARPO II Leonito Gaveria (5th from right) poses with SAFADECO’s
BOD, COMAT, & NATCCO Area Manager during the launching of the SAFADECO satellite
office in Irosin, Sorsogon

6. 6 PHOTO NEWS
GPIFA now reaping what it sowed This demo farm of the G. del Pilar Farmer’s Association
(GPIFA) is now teeming with healthy organic vegetables produce. You name it – “upo”,
“ampalaya”, beans, “pechay”, eggplant, and red pepper. These reds, violets and greens
hang regally in their turf, ready for harvest.
Said vegetable garden which covers 600 square meters is devoted to organic agriculture
which the GPIFA, an agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) in Bulan, Sorsogon,
learned from the trainings conducted by the East West Seeds Corporation. The corporation
also sponsored the inputs of this demo farm amounting to Php15,000.00 with an agreement
that the ARBO will give half of the farm’s income to the sponsor every harvest period.
According to Mr. Elmor Judit, member of Audit and Inventory Committee of the GPIFA and
who also manages the farm, he applied everything he learned from the organic agriculture
training – from soil preparation to planting to maintaining the farm. Like covering the plots
with plastic mulch so weeds would not grow; using organic fertilizer from vermiculture and
fish amino acid combined with molasses; and spraying grind red pepper to get rid of the
worms and insects. Moreover, flowering plants such as marigold, xenia and cosmos were
planted around the garden to ward off harmful insects.
As the GPIFA gets a taste of the first harvest from its sweet labor in July and August, we
envision more bountiful and healthy yields in the near future for this hardworking group.
(Alura A. Jaso)
EMPOWERING WOMEN. DAR Sorsogon conducted another
livelihood project for the G. Del Pilar Farmers’ Association (GPIFA) in
Bulan, Sorsogon. This time, the women-members learned the skills on
pattern and dress making from the very deft Ms. Lucy Vitug (center,
yellow shirt) of the Program Beneficiaries Development. It turned out
to be real fruitful as the group presented their output in this photo
– a school uniform (blouse and skirt), and an apron. Said training
is just one of the many being conducted by the office under the
Gender and Development (GAD) program. Also in photo are the
PBD personnel. (Alura A. Jaso)
DAR Camarines Sur I conducted the Symposium on Servanthood
in Public Service” on August 20, 2015 at the Avenue Square
Convention, Naga City with the theme “Serve the People for the Glory
of God.” Speakers include Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, Ateneo
de Naga University president Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr., SJ, and Provincial
Director II of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Camarines Sur.
In the photo seated from left are OIC-CARPO Agusto Medina of
Beneficiaries Development Division, Engr. Renato Bequillo of Admin &
Finance, OIC-PARPO I Raquel Claveria, Fr. Viray, PARPO II Engr. Romulo
A. Britanico, and Atty.Antonio Ricardo P. Tejada of the Legal Division.
Standing at the back are the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program
Officers (MARPOs) who enthusiastically serve for God’s glory.
(Jose D. Co)
JULY-AUGUST 2015
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING. The DAR-Catanduanes personnel led by PARPO
Alex Teves were one in doing all the simulation activities in responding to emergencies in
the workplace such as earthquake, fire, and other natural disasters. The Virac Municipal
Disaster Coordinating Council headed by Bobby Monterola, the Bureau of Fire, the
Philippine National Red Cross, and the Philippine National Police conducted the training
at DAR-Catanduanes on July 22-23, 2015 under the auspices of the agency’s Gender
and Development (GAD) thrust. (Eduardo S. Villar)
Women ARBs pose with the DAR-CN GAD Vice Chairperson Eleanor Magana
(L) and PBD Staff Julie Botardo (R) after the Symposium on Women’s Rights.
GAD reach out for women-ARBs.Thirty (30) women Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries were tapped
to attend the ‘One-day Symposium on Women’s Rights and Government Social Protection
Services and Welfare Programs’. The activity is part of the 2015 Gender and Development
(GAD) Plan and Budget that upholds the rights of women. The DAR not only seeks for social
justice in terms of providing economic-size family farms to landless farmers but also it aims to
promote the well-being of its beneficiaries. Part of this is equipping the ARBs especially the
women with necessary interventions to uphold their general welfare as a whole.
Except for the rights of women, the ARBs were also oriented on various social benefits and
welfare programs to increase their awareness on social protection programs.
The DAR partners with the PNP – Women’s Desk Office of Camarines Norte, Social Security
System and Bureau of Internal Revenue in conducting the said activity.
(Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Ann R. Botardo)

7. 7PHOTO NEWS
IPAC to PDC.OIC PARPO I Herald R. Tambal (Front-Left), presents and seeks the indorsement
of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Masbate headed by its Presiding Officer
and Acting Governor Vicente Homer B. Revil (Front-Right), the Inclusive Partnerships for
Agricultural Competitiveness (IPAC) project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The IPAC project is set to be implemented next year in the ARC cluster of Balud, Aroroy
and Mandaon. Being a “proposal driven” project, the IPAC aims to provide FOs (Farmers
Organizations) and smallholder-farmers facilities for sustainable production, farming
technology and infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation
system and bridges, that could transform them into competitive farmer-entrepreneurs.
(Ross A. Lustestica)
JULY-AUGUST 2015
TURN OVER OF COMMON SERVICE FACILITIES The Honorable Cesar V.
Sarmiento,CongressmanoftheLoneDistrictofCatanduanes,wasguest
of honor during the hand-over of brand new Common Service Facilities
(CSFs) to CARP farmer beneficiaries from Gigmoto, Caramoran, Virac,
and Viga in simple rites held at DAR Provincial Office compound, Virac,
Catanduanes on June 22, 2015. The farm implements were provided
by DAR under its Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity Economic
Support Services (ARCCESS) program which supports mechanized
farming to improve net income from the farmlands. PARPO Alexander
Teves, and PBD CARPO Nerisa Aldea led the DAR-Catanduanes staff
in the ceremonies, particularly ensuring the recipients’ commitment
during the signing of Trust Agreement.
(Eduardo S. Villar)
Policy Making for APCP. NINE Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs)
successfully finished the three-day training on Policy Making conducted by DAR Sorsogon
under the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP). “This is just a continuation of the
previous trainings under APCP which you have attended to strengthen and enlighten
your organization,” Leonito M. Gaveria, OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer
II, said.
Resource speaker Ms. Lucia S. Vitug taught them the role of policies and policy
formulation in the organization; the factors to be considered and principles of good
policy formulation; and other things about policies which ends with the participant’s
practicum.
The participants expressed their appreciation for the effort of DAR Sorsogon. According
to Ruel Estabile, Chairperson of ABFIA, while their organization is doing their best to learn,
DAR is doing it possible for them. According to Carlos Felices and Leonora Lajota, officers
of ATABIA and BACIA the training facilitated by Maribel Lubiano did not only give them
additional knowledge but it also gave them the opportunity to know each other, and to
be united for one purpose.
“Camaraderie is so alive. We truly feel the love of DAR,” Pedro Lopez, BOD member of
MAFA said.
Witnessing the three days performance of ARBs in the training was OIC-PARPO I Samuel
R. Ongcal, Jr. who was greatly impressed. “The participants are all smart. You are very
participative, and alive. The policies that you make have a very good objective. You know
how to explain your output because you are sincere to strengthen your organization,”
he said during the trainees’ graduation. (Alura A. Jaso)
Strengthening DAR-DENR partnership, Officials pose for a souvenir shot during a recently
concluded DAR-DENR meeting at Kanzo Restaurant, (standing from L-R) DAR Sorsogon
PARPO Leonito Gaveria, PENRO - Sorsogon Imelda Baltazar with other two officials, CARPO
Armando Sales Jr., Eng. Gilbert Lomeda of DARPO Cam Norte, Cam Norte PARPO II Ross
Olayres, (sitting L-R) RD Luis B. Bueno Jr., DENR Asst. RD Al O. Orolfo,ARDO Samuel Solomero
and CARPO Nida Santiago of DARRO V (Reuben R. Loria)
Representatives of Mayon Farmers’ Association (MAFA), Bangate Multipurpose
Cooperative (BAMUCO), Capuy Basud Multipurpose Cooperative (CABAMUCO),
Monbon Farmers’ Association (MONFA), A. Bonifacio Farmers and Irrigators’
Association (ABFIA), Bigkis can mga Paraoma sa Bulan, Bigkis Cooperative in Irosin,
Bagacay Contod Irrigators’ Assocition (BACIA), Ariman Tabi Buenavista Irrigators’
Association (ATABIA), DAR and SIDECO Personnel.
The DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations, Jose Z. Grageda (2nd from
left) visited the DAR Provincial Office of Masbate on July 16, 2015 to have
a conference with OIC-PARPO II Felix E. Fruto (3rd from left), OIC-PARPO I
Herald R. Tambal (extreme left), LTID OIC-CARPO Delia R. Amante (front-
right facing USEC Grageda) and the rest of the staff of the Land Tenure and
Improvement Division of DAR-Masbate. According to Usec. Grageda, his
main objective in visiting DAR-Masbate is to carefully look at its latest LAD
data/status and suggest strategies and plans that could help accomplish its
2015 LAD target and commitment. (Ross A. Lustestica)

8. 8
Bicol’s Agrarian Reform Information Service
A bi-monthly publication of the
Department of Agrarian Reform
Regional Office 5, Lakandula
Drive, Gogon Legazpi City
EDITORIAL STAFF
MARIA TRINISE VASQUEZ-GENERAL
Editor
JAKE L. ROLDAN
Lay-out / Graphic Artist
SENIOR WRITERS
ANCIE L. LAWENKO
Albay
NILLA P. LAGATUZ
Camarines Norte
JOSE D. CO
Camarines Sur A
GERARDO S. BUENSALIDA
Camarines Sur B
EDUARDO S. VILLAR
Catanduanes
ROSS A. LUSTESTICA
Masbate
ALURA A. JASO
Sorsogon
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
LUIS B. BUENO, JR.
Regional Director
RODRIGO O. REALUBIT, CESO VI
OIC-Director III
SAMUEL S. SOLOMERO
OIC-Director III
For inquiries, please write or call the DAR
Regional Office:
(052) 435-0258
480-5180
480-5181
darro5info@yahoo.com
facebook.com/DARRegion5
Multi- million worth of infra projects
turned over in ARC PAMAHIMA
More than Php22 million worth of projects ranging from
post-harvest facilities to Communal Irrigation Project were
turned over to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations of
Mercedes, Camarines Norte on August 14, 2015.
Funded under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support
Projects Phase III (ARISP 3), the projects include: a) Warehouse
with capacity of 3500 cavans and floor area of 105 sq. m. b)
Office with floor area of 49 sq. m. and c) Solar Dryer with an
area of 360 sq. m. Another is a Communal Irrigation Project
worth more than Php17 M.
The ribbon cutting and turn-over ceremonies were led
by DAR V Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr, and Mayor
Alexander Pajarillo Lo of the town of Mercedes, assisted by Asst
Regional Director for Administration Rod Realubit, Cam Norte
PARO II Ross Olayres, NIA Regional Manager Vicmundo and
the barangay councils of Masalongsalong and Pambuhan,
Mercedes, Camarines Norte.
The warehouse is expected to benefit
500 ARBs who are members of MMPC.
The need for warehouse was identified
by the Masalongsalong Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (MMPC) considering their
copra trading business at present. This
warehouse responds to the needs of the
ARBOs whose products are harvested in
a particular season but are demanded
throughout the year as in the case of
coconut and copra. It also aids in the
maximum utilization of lands that leads to
increased productivity, food security and
poverty reduction.
Meanwhile the CIP for Atongon
Irrigators Association Incorporated (AIAI)
will irrigate at least 100 - hectare rice land.
The extreme eagerness to maximize the
lands, majority of the ARBs converted their
coco lands into hundred-hectare rice
lands in order to boost their agricultural
yield and sustain the rice sufficiency in the
barangay.
Mayor Lo and the Chairmen of the two ARBOs, Badinas and
Molina were bereft of words to express their gratefulness when
they finally signed and received the turn-over documents from
RD Bueno and PARPO Olayres of DAR. Moreover, as a matter
of support to the projects, some of the officials of the town
pledged an active support for the projects. The recipient
ARB Organizations were also thankful for the huge benefits the
projects would bring to the ARC and ARBs.
These multi-million Communal Irrigation Project is the first
ARISP III irrigation project that had been completed in DAR
Camarines Norte. ARISP III is a foreign-assisted project funded
under the 27th Yen Loan Package of the Government of
Japan under the JICA. Two more irrigation projects located in
Sta. Elena are ongoing construction and soon to benefit more
ARBs. (Nilla P. Lagatuz/Julie Botardo)
DAR BICOL ON AIR. Left photo shows co-anchors PIO Ross Lustestica and OIC-PARPO I Herald R. Tambal during the launching
of DAR-Masbate’s radio program “TeleRadyo Agraryo: Yana kag Buwas,” July 2, 2015. The program broadcasts live every
Thursday and Friday, 6:00 to 7:00 in the morning at DYME-Masbate. Meanwhile, right photo shows RD Luis B. Bueno, Jr.
(foreground, left) as guest in one of the live broadcasts of DARRO V’s “Paraoma Ika An Bida!” which is aired on simulcast over
the six provinces of Bicol region & some neighboring provinces of other regions, through PBN Broadcasting Network (DZGB-
Legazpi/DZMD-Daet/DZMS-Sorsogon) every Thursday at 11:00 -11:45 am, and co-anchored by Ms. Maria Trinise Vasquez-
General, Mr. Reuben R. Loria and Mr. Carlolindo S. Manuel. Said shows are just two of the four radio programs being carried
out by DAR Bicol as part of its Public Relations Information and Social Marketing Advocacy and Campaign.
(MTVGeneral)
JULY-AUGUST 2015
Mayor Lo of Mercedes, CN (2nd from left) receiving the turn-over documents from RD Luis B.
Bueno Jr. (2nd from right) Witnessing are Engr. Rogelio King of NIA (extreme left) and PARPO
II Ross Olayres (extreme right).