QUEZON CITY -- Forty-four (44) employees from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Cagayan Valley and MIMAROPA took their oath after their appointments and promotions were issued by the agency.

The oath-taking was administered by DAR Secretary Brother John Castriciones on two different occasions. First was in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on July 2 with 36 employees and on July 6 in DAR-MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) regional office in Quezon City with eight employees.

Brother John said the newly appointed employees are given magnanimous responsibilities because they are the ones who will be contributing to the betterment and development of the country.

“During these trying times, farmers proved to the country that they play a very important role in ensuring food sufficiency. You are tasked to look after their welfare. Give our farmers assistance, support and let us empower them,” Bother John reminded the newly-appointed employees.

“Just like the officials and employees in the Department, I hope that you will be as effective, competent and committed to boosting the lives of our farmers,” Brother John added.

DAR-Cagayan Valley Regional Director Samuel Solomero urged the personnel to be humble by sharing their learnings and expertise to various stakeholders of the agency, particularly to the farmers.

"Being humble does not mean to be obedient at all times, but rather by sharing our God-given assets to our clients that would help them uplift the quality of their lives," Solomero said, as he told personnel to avoid transactional business to maintain their names clean.

To his staff, DAR-MIMAROPA Regional Director Marvin Bernal said that he is happy that finally, after waiting for so many years, their much-awaited promotions has now become a reality.

Bernal reminded the appointed and promoted employees to always uphold the agency’s vision, mission, and mandate.  “Marami tayong dapat gawin, ako ay pupunta sa inyong opisina at uupo kasama ninyo upang pag-usapan natin ang mga importante nating dapat gawin para mapabuti pa ang ating serbisyo sa ating mga magsasaka’” (We have a lot of things to do, I will visit your office and sit down with you to discuss the important things we need to do to further improve our service to our farmers) Bernal said. (DAR)