ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Iloilo is encouraging farmers to join any Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) organizations in their locality and avail of government’s support and services.

“In our programs being implemented, our mission and vision are directed towards the improvement and enhancement of the quality of life of the farmers. Our office is focused on agrarian reform communities and organizations, which is why I invite and encourage everyone to become members of any ARB organization in their area to avail themselves of the various support services of the government,” said Harriet A. Loot, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of DAR Iloilo.

Loot made the call during the distribution of the farm machinery and equipment (FME), under the Sustainability and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (SuRe ARC) Project, to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) on October 11, 2023 in the municipality of Anilao.

The P2.8 million worth of farm machinery and equipment include 1 unit of 90 HP 4WD tractor which was turned over to Hacienda Rica ARBs organization and 1 unit of hand tractor with trailer and rice thresher turned over to the Palaypay ARB Association, according to a press report posted on DAR – Iloilo’s facebook page.

enhance our livelihood,” she said.

Also, members of the two recipient organizations expressed their gratitude for the FMEs they received and the implementation of the SuRe ARC projects in the town including Lixie Donguila, president of the Hacienda Rica ARBs Organization.

“We are grateful to DAR for giving us the tractor; it is a great help to our association because it will reduce our farming expenses if compared to renting farm equipment. Aside from this, with the farm machinery given to us, we can gain income,” said Donquila.

The SuRe ARC project is a program initiated by the Department of Agrarian Reform with the overarching objective of promoting sustainable development and resilience in agrarian reform communities.

It aims to empower farmers and rural communities that have benefited from the land distribution and reduce poverty through various initiatives and strategies to improve their socio-economic conditions.

Loot was joined by DAR-Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director Lucrecia S. Taberna, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Flocerfina E. Ervite and SARPOs Antonio Z. Mocero, Jr. during the activity. (AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo/DAR Iloilo)