TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) partnered with the Philippine Army to boost the income of farmers in Tarlac. 

This is part of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty program which intends to contribute to the effort of the national government in addressing hunger, poverty and food security through synergy and convergence. 

Under the inked Memorandum of Marketing Agreement, DAR will link Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) to an institutional buyer to help them establish a regular market for their agricultural products. 

Tarlac Provincial Agrarian Reform Program officer Rogelio Marzan emphasized the will of DAR to improve the livelihood and competitiveness of farmers in the province.

“DAR offers support services to our ARBOs to equip them with the proper skills on managing development. Our goal is to empower and upscale our ARBOs by providing them all the support they need,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Army Training and Doctrine Command and Armor "Pambato" Division will buy rice, egg and vegetables from Tarlac ARBOs at prevailing market prices.

Lieutenant Colonel Felmax Lodriguito Jr., civil military operations officer of the Armor "Pambato" Division, noted that the collaboration does not only address issues on hunger and poverty but also guarantee a healthy, fresh and cost-effective food for the troops.

“Through this project, we can give back to farmers and the community. At the same time, our sub-units can purchase products at a reasonable price,” he stated.

Lodriguito stressed that the Armor Division will remain an active player not only in security leading to development but also in other programs of the government. 

On behalf of ARBOs, Caut Farmer Fields School Marketing Cooperative Chairperson Alex Cancio thanked DAR and the Philippine Army for giving them a chance to supply farm products to soldiers. 

“We are truly grateful for the opportunity to bring quality products to our soldiers, and to be part of the nation’s fight against poverty and hunger,” Cancio stated. 

Prior to this, DAR Tarlac partnered with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to ensure adequate food supply for persons deprived of liberty. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)