The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the 18 local government units in Albay, and the Department of Interior and Local Government Unit recently signed a memorandum of understanding to provide the agrarian beneficiaries with programs to improve their livelihood activities.
With the signing of the deal, agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) and smallholder farmers in Albay are now assured of increased marketing opportunities and support services for their sustainable livelihood.
The signing of MOU is in consonance with the directive of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to boost the economic lives of the agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Rodrigo Realubit, DAR Bicol Officer-in-Charge Regional Director, said this undertaking was implemented under Enhanced Partnership against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program.
“Under the MOU, the provincial government of Albay will provide marketing assistance to the ARBOs by linking them to institutional markets through the forging of marketing agreements with DOH-retained hospitals, Albay Provincial Jail, Albay Provincial Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Facility, and Residential Care Facilities, and provide basic social, agricultural, and technical support services under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Albay Provincial Agricultural Office,” he said.
Realubit added that the DAR, for their part, will assist the ARBOs and the farmers in the production and timely delivery of the food items for marketing, support services, access to financial assistance, capacity-building and technical support.
Meanwhile, the LGUs of Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, Sto. Domingo, Tabaco City, Tiwi, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi City, Manito, Rapu-Rapu, Guinobatan, Jovellar, Libon, Ligao City, Oas, Pio Duran, and Polangui will help the qualified ARBOs by forging the required marketing agreements with their supplementation feeding programs.
The MOU signing, held at Kanzo Hall in Legazpi City, was attended by Albay Governor Noel Rosal, mayors of LGUs, DILG Provincial Office Director Arnel Renato Madrideo, and DAR officials.