NAGTIPUNAN, Quirino (PIA) - - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office recently awarded Farm Machineries, Equipment and Farm Inputs under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) and Water Sanitation (WATSAN) facilities to the Keat Farmers’ Association of this town.

The facilities awarded include three units 12-HP Diesel engine, air-cooled Multi-crop Mini thresher and complete accessories; three 5-HP Diesel engine Compact Tiller Rotavator; 10 Brush Cutter; four PE Blue Water Tank; five power sprayers, among others.

The farmer’s association also received one Water Collector & the rehabilitation of Water Basin – WATSAN Facilities under the Major Crop-Based Block Farm Productivity Enhancement & CPWASH Project.

The turnover and acceptance ceremonies which was held at the Keat Barangay Hall was attended by Municipal Mayor Noel T. Lim and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Jess Beth G. Quidasol & other key officials and employees.

In her message, Quidasol challenged the association to be more productive given the facilities that were awarded to them and to be more responsible enough in the maintenance of the said facilities so they will last longer and could be used by the next generation.

For his part, Mayor Lim reiterated the challenge given by PARPO Quidasol for the farmers to use these FMEs productively and be responsible in taking good care of the facilities awarded to them.

“These facilities did not come from DAR nor from the LGU, these came from the government whose goal is for the continuous development even to the remotest of barangays,” Lim said adding that Keat can also be included the the barangays that had entered into a memorandum of agreement with well-known suppliers of tons of vegetables like its neighboring barangay if they could abide strictly with the conditions.

Lim also vowed to pour more projects for the youth’s sports activities such fiber glass basketball courts including sports paraphernalia for volleyball and soccer as well as the rehabilitation of Day care center in the area.

“All you have to do is to submit a resolution for approval during the Municipal Development Council meeting,” Mayor Lim told the barangay officials.

The town’s executive also vowed to act on the additional request from the Keat Farmers Association for the provision of multi-purpose shed for the FMEs awarded to them.

A trust agreement was also signed by the DAR as grantor and the association being the grantee.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Girlie A. Castillo explained to the association that the use of the said facilities is not free and the association must craft a policy on the corresponding fees to be collected from members availing of the services. The fees to be collected will be reserved for future repairs and maintenance.

Jerry Pasigian, the association president thanked the DAR for the facilities as he enjoined his members to use them productively. (OTB/TCB/with reports from Gina Herrera/DAR/PIA Quirino)