The document provides information about SAFIMCO, a farmers cooperative in Barangay San Antonio, Buhi, Camarines Sur. It discusses SAFIMCO's origins in 1992 and its growth over more than two decades, supported by projects from DAR and other agencies. SAFIMCO now has 422 members and provides irrigation, credit, and marketing assistance to farmers. It has increased farmers' incomes, with members now producing 120 cavans of rice per hectare on average. The cooperative's financial performance is strong, with returns on equity and capital improving each year from 2011-2013.

1. PAGES 6-7 Photo NewsPAGE 2 The SAFIMCO flight
to progress
PAGE 3 PAGE 8 A Dream to Covet
see story on page 2
story on page 3
Consultation held to
expedite LAD in Masbate
HEALTHY BOUNTY.
The Sustainable
Agriculture System (SAS)
model in barangay Lico,
Vinzons, Camarines
Norte serves as a key
to bountiful harvests
to the farmers.

2. 2
In1605,PadreAntonioMendes,aSpanishmissionary,
first established the parish church at what turns out to
be the municipality of Buhi,Camarines Sur today.Buhi
is not just known for Lake Buhi but it is also the home to
the world’s smallest commercial fish locally known as
the sinarapan (Mystychtis Luzonensis). Buhi is a 2nd
class municipality composed of 38 barangays with a
total land area of 1,238 hectares, 87% of which are
agricultural land. Barangay San Antonio is one of the
far flung upland barangays and is 13 kilometers away
from the town proper. It is accessible by passenger
jeepneys,trimobiles,and habal-habal or door to door
single motorcycles that ply regularly.
However, in the 80’s, barangay San Antonio was
isolated. The roads were so bad or non-existent that
it took almost a half day of arduous walking from the
barangay to the poblacion. It was also very difficult
and costly to transport the farm produce that was
why the farmers were at the mercy of unscrupulous
middlemen who took advantage of the situation by
setting low prices for the produce. In the past, farmers
do not own the lands they till and had repressive
tenurial arrangement with big landowners. The
problems they encountered before as tenants served
as the rallying call for them to organize and unite.
When the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP) was implemented in 1988, the
tenant farmers managed to acquire lands through
the CARP as agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Barangay San Antonio has a total CARP scope of 717
hectares wherein 433 hectares or 60.4% have been
distributed to 312 ARBs. With the assistance of DAR
and other CARP implementing agencies, the ARBs
slowly regained their confidence and self-respect as
they slowly build up their social status as dignified
farmers in the locality.At last, they can now dream for
a brighter future as they now own the lands they tilled
for so long as tenants.
However, as small farmer-cultivators they now have
to fend for themselves and face myriad difficulties.
Whereas, before, they merely relied on the landlords
for inputs, and other costs of production. Now that
they have to rely on their own initiative, they must
look for sources of production credit, and even learn
to look for new and reliable markets for their farm
produce that offer the most advantageous price
among others. Slowly, they learned the importance
of working together co-operatively and the pooling
of resources for the common goal in order to survive.
The DAR helped the fledgling farmers group in its
organizational development. Trainings and seminars
were enthusiastically participated in by its members
resulting to a better understanding of their respective
roles and obligations, not only one’s privilege and
expected returns.They also elect reliable and dynamic
leaders who will lead them attain their objectives and
aspirations.
After numerous consultations and painstaking
organizing efforts the ARBs agreed to merge with
small Maybatang irrigators association to form a
farmers cooperative in order to expand its services
and serve more farmers in the area.Thus, on January
6, 1992 the San Antonio Farmers Irrigators Multi-
Purpose Cooperative (SAFIMCO) was registered with
the Cooperative Development Authority electing Mr.
Eugenio S. Molina as its chairman. From then on,
SAFIMCO officers were able to formulate plans and
policies, systems and procedures in all its business
operations and transactions that include the
administrative, financial and operational aspects.
The farmer-cooperative aims not only for the
improvement on the quality of lives of its members
but also how it can help in the development of the
agrarian reform community. As of 2014,SAFIMCO has
422 active members in which 248 are ARBs, and 174
are non-ARBs.
Abigail Adams once wrote a letter to US President
Jefferson in 1790 wherein he said, “Great necessities
call forth great leaders.” Out of necessity, SAFIMCO
has produced new leaders like Simeon S. Molina,
Loreto B. Cenita, Eugenio S. Molina, Gregorio C.
Morante, Milagros B. Mora, Luz F. Valenzuela, Mila P.
Navarro, Clementina M. Cordial, Aguido S. Molina
and many others who took the cudgels of leading
and managing the affairs of the farmers cooperative.
They took the responsibility seriously, learned the
ropes of the trade while on the job, and hit the road
running. With meager resources to start with, they
were compelled to be transparent, and creative. But
more importantly, the members of SAFIMCO were
actively involved in the operation of the cooperative
businesses, and they were more than willing to make
small sacrifices for greater gains.
They also learned new things in
agricultural production through
updates in farming technologies
while gaining entrepreneurial
insights which were implemented
and contributed to higher yield in
palay production. SAFIMCO also
provides efficient irrigation system
service to its members who own
farm more than 500 hectares of
agricultural land. The irrigation
system was further enhance with
the rehabilitation of the Maybatang
CommunalIrrigationProjectcosting
PHp15.617 million with service area
of 240 hectares through the DAR’s
Agrarian Reform Infrastructure
Project (ARISP II). ARISP II was also
instrumental in providing the other
needed infrastructure support
like farm to market road costing
Php12.033 million,and post-harvest
facility with 750 cavans capacity
warehouse costing Php389,000. Its
Agridev component also serves as a mechanism in
developing agricultural enterprises conducive in the
area, one of which was the communal goat raising
project (Php108,000) which serves as a collective
expression of the cooperative spirit.
Under the able management of cooperative
leaders, SAFIMCO was also able to avail a package
of agricultural support projects from ARISP II that
includes palay seed production (Php25,477),
palay production (Php118,673), palay trading
initial capitalization of Php120,000, input dealership
with a capitalization of Php230,000,and hog dispersal
projectwithinitial19projectco-operatorsthatreached
58 recipients on its 5th batch of implementation.
With the introduction of new seed varieties like
RC28, and NSCI 112 from UPLB, efficient and timely
irrigation services, farmer-members of SAFIMCO are
producing an average of 120 cavans per cropping
per hectare!
As a consequence, SAFIMCO’s palay trading
prospers leap and bound, and its area of operation
includes not only the ARC but also its adjacent
barangays of San Vicente, Gabas, Labawon and
Macaangay and even the neighboring Municipality
of Polangui,Albay.As part of the continuing expansion
of SAFIMO,it was able to avail from the Department of
Agriculture a production warehouse costing Php6.0
million in 2013, and another production warehouse
costing Php3.6 million only last August 2014.
In retrospect, SAFIMCO’s more than two-decade
journey is similar to the flight of the Canadian geese
which can fly non-stop from Northern Canada to
Mexico, Central and South America. This is because
they have a leader and the rest follow in“V”formation
to compensate for the wind resistance. They rotate
so that no one goose becomes too fatigued. But
they work together, following the leader, in order to
accomplish their goal of flying south. They arrive
sooner when they fly together as a team than what a
goose could do separately.
SAFIMCO has many distinct characteristics which
could be considered as genuine traits of a functioning
and sustainable farmers cooperative. Foremost of
which is the transparency in all its transactions and
business operations. The coop leaders have defined
roles and are held accountable to the General
Assembly of members. There is a good relationship
among the BODs, the Committees and the general
membership, and there has no factionalism among
its members. The manager and bookkeeper are
accounting graduates so the records are clean
and are in order while the treasurer is the only one
authorized to handle the coop’s money. Each of the
nine (9) Board of Directors is strategically located on
the 11 sectors and handling about 30-40 hectares in
the irrigation service area to make the management
of the irrigation facilities much easier.
ON THE COVER Cover Story
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
TheSAFIMCO’sflighttoprogress
SAFIMCO,“the 2014 Most Progressive ARBO of Bicol-Visayas”is moving
forward in unison. SAFIMCO Chair Loreto Ceneta (center) holding the
Plaque beside PARPO II Leo Gaveria (in white polo).
The SAFIMCO’s...- p 4

3. 3
The Sustainable Agriculture System (SAS) serves as a key to a bountiful harvest
in barangay Lico,Vinzons, Camarines Norte, a year after site has been identified
as SAS area by the Department of Agrarian Reform Camarines Norte Provincial
Office.
SAS is DAR’s thrust to make awarded lands productive; the farm productivity
improvement (FPI) sub-component of the Program Beneficiaries Development
(PBD) which envisions providing ARBs/farmers with models that would bring
back the fertility of the farms thru the use of sustainable agriculture system.The
challenge is to innovate rapidly and efficiently – not only to develop new products,
but also to adapt them effectively to the varying needs of farmers around the
country, large and small.
In Camarines Norte, particularly the sitio of Lico in Barangay Sto. Domingo,
Vinzons, through the Sto. Domingo Farmers Organization, was the only recipient
of SAS in the province. Being so, the organization received a greenhouse worth
120 thousand pesos,various organically produced seeds,planting materials and
fowls to sustain the project.
What produce where and how it develops is a matter of choice. Two of the
many possible practices of sustainable agriculture are crop rotation and soil
amendment,both designed to ensure that crops being cultivated can obtain the
necessary nutrients for healthy growth.These are the methods used by Mr.Rodolfo
S Benavidez,a Farmer GoldAwardee ofThe Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines
(TOFARM). Benavidez’ success serves as a good reminder to all that go into
mastering a new skill or craft.There’s the need to tolerate one’s initial incompetence,
commit to the learning
curve, seek outside help,
experiment and make
m i d - c o u r s e
corrections, all while maintaining a strong commitment to quality. When the skill
being mastered is farming, one has to take significant financial risks as well.
The SAS models is geared towards showcasing a functional local partnership in
agricultural development and teach Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations
(ARBO) manage technology transfer towards farmers’ adoption of sustainable
agricultural systems to institutionalize a farmer to farmer extension system (para
technician) and attain economies of scale in agricultural production with
consolidation of production,processing and marketing thru the ARBOs.Moreover,
establish in the ARCs an integrated crops and livestock farming using SAS; and
apply practical learning methods in agricultural extension (at the ARC or farm
level).
The local government units, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training
Institute,the ARB Organizations and the Department of Agrarian Reform, have its
own unique contribution in strengthening the sustainable agriculture community
in Camarines Norte.
At present, the SAS model farm has been producing various organic
vegetables.The DAR Camarines Norte is one of the regular drop-off points of
their vegetable produce. It is a big advantage for the SAS farmers for having
their farm located adjacent to the Agri-PinoyTrading Center,the only vegetable
trading post in Camarines Norte.
(Nilla Lagatuz/Julie Botardo)
DARPO-Cam.Norte personnel take pleasure in inspecting the freshly harvested
lettuce.
Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr. together
with Assistant Regional Director for Operations
Rodrigo O. Realubit, met with the DAR Masbate field
personnel composed of the Municipal Agrarian
Reform Program Officers (MARPOs), Senior
Agrarian Reform Program Technologists (SARPTs)
and Agrarian Reform Program Technologists
(ARPTs) for a consultation, at the Legacy Suites,
Masbate City, February 5-6, 2015.
The meeting which was held in three batches
aimed at threshing out issues and concerns
pertaining with the CARPER implementation in the
province, especially on the Land Acquisition and
Distribution (LAD) component of the program.
OIC-PARPO II Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr. and OIC-
CARPO Delia R. Amante of the Operations Division
presented to the body the real and actual status
of DAR-Masbate’s targeted landholdings for 2015.
Consequently, the Regional Officials gave
specific instructions both to the DARPO and
DARMO officials regarding the implementation
of a Matrix of Action Plan – a system designed
to guide the MARPOs in accomplishing LAD and
other LTI tasks for targeted landholdings in 2015.
During the ‘per landholding presentation,’
ARDO Rod Realubit gave the MARPOs pieces of
advice, and strategies that could help expedite
the land acquisition process in the province, in
accordance with existing/applicable rules and
regulations. He said that in order to speed-up
the process, the MARPOs must have a timetable
for all LAD activities particularly, the Pre-ocular
Inspection and Land Survey.
On the other hand, RD Bueno discussed practical
ways and methods that could help the MARPOs
effectively execute their respective 2015 Action
Plan with great emphasis on improving the DARMO
and DARPO coordination in all LAD and other LTI
activities.
(Ross A. Lustestica)
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
Bountiful harvest from SAS
Consultation held to expedite LAD in Masbate
RD Bueno talking about practical ways and methods
that could help the MARPOs effectively execute their
respective 2015 Action Plan.
ARDO Realubit discussing the implementation of a
Matrix of Action Plan – a system designed to guide the
MARPOs in accomplishing LAD and other LTI tasks for
targeted landholdings in 2015.

4. 4 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
Volunteerism and self-initiative is also highly valued at SAFIMCO. This is clearly
manifested as individual members voluntarily go to the coop office to pay
their loans and irrigation service fees that is why no collector is needed. Most
importantly,dividends are regularly distributed to all its members.Today,SAFIMCO’s
total capital build-up or CBU of Php 453, 350.00 while the members’ total savings
mobilization generated amount to Php 62, 152.22 as of June 2014.
To understand SAFIMCO’s viability better, let us do some mathematical crunch.
What is SAFIMCO’s Return on Equity for the last 3 years? Return on Equity measures
a cooperative’s profitability by revealing how much profit it generates with the
money shareholders/members have invested.The amount of net income returned
as a percentage of shareholders equity. ROE = Net Income/ Shareholder’s Equity.
Based on this table,the ROE in 2013 is 10% which is progressively improving from
2011 & 2012.
What is SAFIMCO’s Return on Capital for the last 3 years? The return of capital
is when some or all of the money an investor (in this case coop member) has
in an investment is paid back to him or her, thus decreasing the value of the
investment. It is a return from an investment that is not considered income. It is a
profitability ratio as it measures the return that an investment generates for capital
contributors. It also indicates how effective a coop is at turning capital into profits.
ROC = (Net Income minus Dividends) divided by (Debt minus Equity)
Based on this table the ROC in 2013 is 5.92% which also increase progressively
since 2011 & 2012.
SAFIMCO’s Current ratio is 0.19.Current Asset/ Current Liability) or 1,354,691.01/
7, 095, 651.96 = 0.19 whereas its Debt- Equity Ratio is 1.87. From Debt (Php 13, 258,
858.18 divided by Equity
(Php 7, 095, 651.96)
As a result of the SAFIMCO’s efforts in the development of its members as well as
the community, it received numerous provincial, regional, and national citations
and awards. Foremost of which as the Most Outstanding Irrigators Association
in the Bicol region awarded by NIA Region V in years 2002, 2003 & 2004. It also
received a Certificate of Commendation CY-2004 for paying NIA the amount of
Php 50,000.00 which is 102% of the required annual amortization of Php 49,00.00
thus setting a fine example to other associations/ cooperatives in attaining better
financial standing.It was also awarded the Most Outstanding Irrigators Association
in the province of Camarines Sur CY 1986 &1988; and as one of the Top Irrigators
Association for the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards 2013, for their significant and
outstanding contributions to the rice industry.For this feat,SAFIMCO was awarded
one million pesos worth of agri-development project of their choice.
In recognition of its invaluable and extensive participation in the various
programs, projects and activities of the DAR and the different CARP implementing
agencies in delivering development interventions in the ARC, it also received the
Award of Distinction (in June 25, 2003) from DAR.
With the help of SAFIMCO, the land awarded to the ARBs was managed well
and became more productive resulting to the uplifting of each member’s socio-
economic status. SAFIMCO’s development efforts also help develop the Agrarian
Reform Community. Through the years it initiated the construction of the Road
Opening from San Vicente to San Antonio (1979); Construction of Irrigation
Canals (1980); Construction of the SAFIMCO office, and the Construction of 200
meter concrete canal lining worth 250,000 sourced from SOLCENTAF fund, and
Construction of one (1) unit Solar Dryer (1987).
In 1997 it also accessed two (2) units shallow tube wells (STWs) from DA and
the Construction of 2 units Solar Dryer; in 1999 it initiated the Construction of Mini-
Warehouse , and the Construction of Concrete Canal Lining through Balikatan
Sagip Patubig Program (BSPP) worth Php500,000.00 from NIA and Php 125,000.00
from LGU-Buhi.
In 2002, it put up the AGRIDEV Information Corner and started the Palay Trading
cum Input Dealership. It also started the establishment of women’s project &
accessed two (2) units of Sewing Machines for its sewing project.
SAFIMCO leaders took the initiatives of accessing resources from different
government agencies and private entities. In its long years of operations, they
were able to partner and network as member with the Municipal Cooperative
Development Council (MCDC), the Municipal Cooperative Federation of Buhi,
and the Barangay Development Council.
As part of SAFIMCO’s involvement in the health of the community, it embarked
on the Rural water spring development funded by ARISP II, rural water systems
funded by European Union and LGU-Buhi in 2010, and regular medical missions
among others.
That is why the DAR and other CARP implementing agencies, and partners like
the LGU-Buhi can truly claim that all its interventions and development efforts to
SAFIMCO have borne fruit resulting to an empowered farmers cooperative with its
modest and sustainable gains in an Agrarian Reform Community in this part of
the world!
Indeed, SAFIMCO’s remarkable flight to progress is not only measured in terms
of millions of pesos of assets, CBUs, savings generated, or good financial numbers
for these are ephemeral and transitory. Rather, in the principles and practices
on good governance & transparency, volunteerism, innovation, and social
responsibility among others that will be handed down to the next generations of
small farmer-cultivators. For only then can we be assured that the gains of CARP
will be sustainable and serve as trailblazer that will leave lasting imprints in the sky
for others to emulate and learn from.
But they work together, following the leader, in order to accomplish their goal
of flying south.They arrive sooner when they fly together as a team than what a
goose could do separately.
As a conclusion,let me quote the oath or Panunumpa sa Kasapian which every
SAFIMCO member has recited countless times, and has imprinted in their hearts.
Then I ask myself, how many cooperatives seriously do that? In SAFIMCO, they do
that because they believe it makes the difference in their flight to progress.
Bilang isang mamamayang Pilipino,
Ako ay naniniwala at nakiki-isa
Sa kilusang kooperatiba
Mahina kung nag-iisa,
Subalit tumatatag at tumitibay
Kapag nagsama-sam.
Batay dito, itinalaga ko ang aking sarili
Upang kumilos at makibahagi
Sa mga gawaing pagkaginhawahan;
Lalahok ako sa mga programa ng SAFIMCO
Tutuparin ko ang aking mga tungkulin;
Isasabuhay ko ang pilosopiya ng kooperatiba.
Isang pananaw
Isang paniniwala
Isang damdamin sa kooperatibismo
Itinatalaga ko ang aking sarili
Na patuloy na maglilingkod
At tatangkilikin sa serbisyo
At produkto ng SAFIMCO
Kasiyahan nawa ako ng Poong Maykapal.
(Jose D. Co)
The SAFIMCO’s....----------from p 2

5. 5JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
The Department of Agrarian Reform Albay Provincial Office has
turned over processing equipment to Albay Dairy Cooperative (ADC)
on February 23, 2015 at the Albay Agri Techno Eco Village Compound,
Cabangan, Camalig, Albay.
The equipment amounting to Php 100,000.00 composes of 2 units of
12 cubic feet chest-type freezer, 1 unit of 12 cubic feet showcase freezer,
1 unit gas range, and 1 unit electric bowl mixer.
In a simple turnover ceremony, DAR Albay PARPO II Engr. Romulo
A. Britanico challenged the cooperative to keep the equipment in good
running condition. “The equipment especially the freezers are vital in
the daily operations of your enterprise – to ensure availability of quality
freshmilk in the community. I also wish that our cooperation will spur
more community development in the years to come,” he remarked.
OnthepartofADC,ChairmanDomingoRanesesexpressedappreciation
of DAR’s strong support to develop their freshmilk enterprise. “We will
use the equipment to offer best quality of freshmilk to our clients,
and exert more efforts to make our enterprise more competitive,” he
enthused.
The ADC being a freshmilk producer in Albay was selected as the
agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) under the Up-valuing
of ARB Products Program of DAR for 2014.
(George Olayres)
DAR turns over milk processing equipment to Albay Dairy Cooperative
A four-day Trainors’ Training on Modernize Rice Production Processing
and Marketing was conducted under the partnership of DAR and DA as part of
the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services
(ARCCESS) program which aims to increase the production of farmers and
engage in agri-based enterprise to retain their awarded lands. Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) officers of Bulan, Castilla and Sorsogon
as participants were taught about the characteristics of irrigated, rainfed,
and upland rice ecosystems; the principles and concepts of palay check or
the Palayamanan System; land preparation and crop establishment, nutrient
management; water management; integrated pest management; harvesting
and post-harvesting management; rice rationing; climate change ready
technology of rice; concepts of community seed banking; farm planning and
record keeping; and the rice marketing concept. An overview of the Organic
Agriculture and the Organic Act of 2010 (RA 10068),and an exposure trip to Brgy.
Capuy, Sorsogon City were likewise provided to them. Officers from the Provincial
Agriculturist Office of Sorsogon and AgriculturalTraining Institute of Pili,Camarines
Sur served as the resource speakers.
(Alura A. Jaso)
L-R:PBDD CARPO Engr.Herbert V.Tengco,Albay Dairy Cooperative (ADC) Board of Directors,
ADC Vice-Chairman Gaspar Bolanos (4th from left), ADC Chairman Domingo Raneses
(5th from left), National Dairy Authority-Bicol Coordinator Salvador Garchitorena, PARPO
II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico, PARPO I Luna Ante, Camalig MARPO Engr. Gerri Ebrada, and
members of the ADC (back), pose for a souvenir shot after signing the Trust Agreement for
the turned over equipment.
MAZEL TOV! The newly-appointed SARPOs/ARPOs II of the Legal Sector pose with the DAR V officials headed by RD Luis B.Bueno,Jr.(seated,
center) for a souvenir shot after the oath-taking ceremony at the La Roca Veranda Suites and Restaurant on February 2, 2015. Again,
congratulations and good luck to these well-deserving individuals! (MTVGeneral)

6. 6 PHOTO NEWS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
DAR-DTI Albay inks partnership to support the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries
Enterprise Promotion and Development in the province. Said partnership
aims to provide latest product design trends, capacity trainings; employment
opportunities for ARBOs; enterprise operations and management; development
of new entrepreneurs; and increase ARBO sales. Standing from L-R: Ms. Ma.
Antonette Bellen, Ms. Eden Sarmiento of DTI Albay; PARPO II Britanico (seated
center); PARPO I Luna Ante, and PBDD CARPO Engr. Bert Tengco.
(George Olayres)
The DAR Camarines Sur I’s LTI Workshop Conference at the Operations
Divison was held on February 17, 2015, a day after the 2015 LTI Directives was
given by the DARRO V officials.The two-day workshop focused on the workable
balances, determination of landholdings to be deducted either as workable or
deductible, and the updating of the Optool. In the photo was PARPO II Leonito
M. Gaveria listening attentively to Operations Division chief Ricardo Garcia (in
yellow shirt) while stressing a point. (Joey Co)
PRO-ACTIVE. As part of strengthening the public relations,information and social
marketing program of the DAR Bicol, ARDO Rod Realubit and ARDA Leo Ramos
remain enthusiastic in providing updated information to the general public,
especially to the farmers and landowners, on the department’s thrusts and
programs. Photo shows their regular guesting on the DAR-Albay’s radio program,
“Tingog Kan Paraoma,” anchored by George Olayres, Weng Dia and Ancie
Lawenko and aired every Friday, 11-12 noon at DZGB-Legazpi.
(MTVGeneral)
DAR Bicol and 901st Infantry Brigade team up to address prevailing
issues particularly on peace and order, in CARP-covered areas in Albay and
Catanduanes. DAR regional director Luis B. Bueno, Jr. (left) lauded the Philippine
Army’s initiative to collaborate with the department to come up with means
and ways to resolve said issues.The formed alliance sees the facilitation of DAR’s
delivery of targets in the region.On the other hand,Commanding Officer Raul M.
Farnacio(above,extremeright)saidthat“Bayanihan”isaboutcreatingaconcept
and understanding of security that is shared not just among security forces and
government institutions but also with civil society and the communities.
(MTVGeneral)
Gender and Development makes a difference in welcoming the New Year.
Making the year fruitful not by displaying the twelve round fruits on the table but
teaching the women in the countryside how to earn through recycling excess or
old cloths into rugs which they can sell afterward.
This photo shows Ms. Lucy S. Vitug and Ms. Leila Halcon of DAR Sorsogon
coaching the ladies in San Francisco and Somagongsong, Bulan, Sorsogon
how to make colorful rugs and potholders. Sixty Three (63) participants who are
members of Bigkis can mga Paraoma sa Bulan of San Francisco Special ARC,
have been the recipients of the training. The activity will be replicated in other
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations in the province.
(Alura A. Jaso)
Rug Making under GAD

7. 7PHOTO NEWSJANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
BAC ORIENTATION. CARPO Nida A.Santiago discourses important points before
the Bidding and Awards Committee (BAC) members, secretariat and technical
working group, old and new alike, during the one-day orientation at the DARRO
V Conference Hall. (MTVGeneral)
The PBD Sector of DAR Bicol gathers at the Hotel Venezia in Legazpi City for a
four-day workshop to facilitate the preparation of partnership activity proposals
which will serve as the chief ingredient or basis for releasing of funds from DARRO
to DARPOs,February 24-27,2015.Photo also shows ARDO Rod Realubit addressing
the group. (MTVGeneral)
DAR Bicol PBD Sector convenes for the NID Project Implementation
Assessment,likewise for an interface meeting with the ARCCESS-BDS professional
service providers, at the La Roca Veranda Suites and Restaurant on February 11,
2015. (MTVGeneral)
RD Boy makes it a point to attend the regular meetings of the Municipal Agrarian
Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) in DAR Bicol to have a face-to-face interaction
with the field officials.He deems it necessary to be part in threshing out issues and
concerns particularly those that pertain to the implementation of the program.
Photo shows RD Boy addressing the MARPOs of Albay during their monthly
meeting. (MTVGeneral)
DAR-Sorsogon conducts livelihood training on Dishwashing Liquid and Fabric
Conditioner Making for Bangate Mulipurpose Cooperative (BAMUCO) members,
under the Gender and Development (GAD) program. (Alura A. Jaso)

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
GEORGE P. OLAYRES
Albay
NILLA P. LAGATUZ
Camarines Norte
JOSE D. CO
Camarines Sur A
CARLA R. YU
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 IV
OIC-Director III
ATTY. LEO MIGUEL A. RAMOS
OIC-Director III
For inquiries, please write or call the DAR
Regional Office:
480-5180 local 198
480-5181
darro5info@yahoo.com
facebook.com/DARRegion5
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
DAR-Cat’nes readies individual survey
of 63-ha. Progreso property
after 3-decade row
Armingo and Felicidad Velasco are a couple
aged 68 and 78 respectively who have been
tilling the 10.479 hectares cocoland, owned
by Arsenio Francia located at Buenavista,
Presentacion and Panicwan, Lagonoy,
Camarines Sur, for the past 30 years already.
After the owner was served with a Notice of
Coverage on January 3, 2013, he paid DAR a
visit and voluntary offered to sell his land to the
government.
In his old age, Armingo who still farms the
entire landholding with four other farmworkers
he pays to help out, has only this to say:
“Salamat sa Dios kung totoong mangyari na
masasarili ko ang lupa. Malaking hirap ang
dinanas ko dito. Buong buhay ko’y pinaglaan
ko sa pagsasaka at pagaaruga nang lupang
ito. Masarap mangarap na balang araw
makakamtam ko ang aking minimithi na
magkaroon nang sariling lupa,” Armingo in his
wrinkled furrows, emaciated body and scarred
hands pondered hopefully.
His crude hut, bare of comforts save for
a long table, a small corner to cook and an
old radio that connects them to the outside
world, stands in glaring contrast to the beautiful
background that surrounds them in this neck
of the woods.
Amidst the overwhelming silence in the vast
steep hills of trees that stretch around the area,
one can hear a faint whisper of babbling water
that beckons, the sunlight sparkles through
brightly coloured leaves that gently waves that
when parted, an ethereal lagoon lies within
with crystal clear water that mirrors oneself and
which seemingly tastes like the nectar of the
Gods.
The full spectrum of this idyllic scene takes
one’s breath away. This beautiful pristine
paradise looks surreal...a bird chirps, above
the bluest and whitest of clouds cover the
sky, the satanic thistles that brushed the arms
becomes paltry, one can even imagine that
in this glorious place the green grass too is
saccharine sweet.
Armingo seems oblivious to the haven that
surrounds him; one can paint magnificent
scenery with every brush stroke. This in
time would be Armingo’s reward for hard
toil and love of work. Soon he and the four
farmworkers would be recipient of a Certificate
of Land Ownership Award (CLOA). A gift he
has long dreamed to covet, to enrich his life
in a sanctuary of pure bliss and art larger than
life itself.
Somewhere a neighborhood dog barks,
reality sets in yet like air, one does not tire
breathing in the beauty and wonders of nature,
one can gasp in awe of what Armingo would
have one day.
(Carla R. Yu)
The much awaited distribution to 129 individual farmer
occupants of CARP-awarded lot in Progreso, San Miguel,
Catanduanes covering some 63 hectares is now finally
settled. After almost 13 years since the said property had
been distributed to farmer beneficiaries in the area under a
mother CLOA in 1994 represented by Generoso Tapia, the
request for survey services had been finally inked to favor
proceedings of subdivision survey in barangay Progreso.
Said property is a government-owned land registered
under OCT No. 123.
Earlier, PARPO Alexander T. Teves directed the legal
staff headed by lawyer Zaldy
Monilla, the LTS Division and
the DF assigned in Progreso to
schedule a barangay assembly in
the area and ensure participation
of DENR to finally thresh-out
issues on the DAR’s conduct of
individual survey on the property.
In Progreso, lawyer Zaldy
Ll. Monilla, Legal Division Chief
in Catanduanes, explained the
need for the lot to be distributed
individually after detailing the
history of the case to the farmer
beneficiaries present during the
barangay consultations held
last February 12, 2015. The
barangay is also an Agrarian
Reform Community (ARC).
Also present during the
activity were DF Belen Bernal,
Legal Officers Ramiro Loria Jr., Gerardo Rojas, and Rafael
Rodriguez, and LTS Division staff led by OIC Teresita Sapla,
Nancy Bobier, Engr. Henry Avila, and Jessielito Bautista.
The DENR and the Philippine Army detailed in the area
were also present during the forum that lasted almost half
of the day.
Punong Barangay Jorge Bagadiong noted that this
development has finally nailed speculations among
residents and said that the activity cleared all doubts
concerning their possession of said property. It also
opened wider understanding between the two agencies
present during the meeting, the DAR and the DENR which,
on the other hand, vowed to work hand-in-hand instead to
hasten the full implementation of CARP in Progreso.
It can be recalled that in 2001, the DENR filed a case
against the 129 Progreso farmer beneficiaries, the PARO-
II, the San Miguel MARO and the ROD of Catanduanes.
It asked the DAR Regional Adjudicator in Legazpi City to
cancel the awarded CLOA and the corresponding OCT in
Progreso on the basis of its “classification as timberland
and covered by Catanduanes Watershed Forest reserve.”
The DENR was favored in a decision that came out from
the DARAB, Legazpi on March 11, 2002 but the same
was appealed to the DARAB-Central Office in Quezon City
by DAR Catanduanes on April 2002.
On March 2, 2005, the DARAB-Central Office affirmed
the appeal made by DAR-Catanduanes which upheld
the rights of Progreso farmers to re-possess the CLOA
awarded to them under CARP. It emphasized that the
previous order cancelling the CLOA “was done in absence
of jurisdiction.” The DARAB noted that the case called for
a determination of the nature or classification of the said
landholding, which is certainly not within the Board’s power
to resolve.
During the consultations in Progreso, lawyer Zaldy
Monilla made it clear to those beneficiaries present that the
decision on the appeal which the DAR won has become
final and executory considering that the DENR failed to file
an appeal within the 15-day period from the issuance of a
Resolution on the motion for reconsideration of the case.
(Bong S. Villar)
A Dream to Covet
BARANGAY CONSULTATIONS. Lawyer Zaldy Monilla, ALS Division
Chief of Catanduanes, explains the background of the case involving
the 129 CARP beneficiaries in Progreso, San Miguel, Catanduanes
over the 63-hectare property covered by DAR in 1994 and is now
being readied for individual survey. Others present during the activity
were DENR representative, DAR legal officers, and LTS staff led by
OIC Teresita Sapla.
COUPLE ARMINGO AND FELICIDAD VELASCO IN THEIR PARADISE