QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has given recognition to this year’s outstanding agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) who have registered with the highest sales as they were linked to various institutional buyers through the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program of the government.

EPAHP is a government initiative to promote food security, lessen poverty, and mitigate hunger by 2030. It is a joint effort of various government agencies.

The outstanding ARBOS which have registered with the highest sales include La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) located in Agusan del Sur, Cruzian MPC in Pamgpanga, Catalanacan MPC in Nueva Ecija, Bantog Samahang Nayon MPC in Pangasinan, Sto. Tomas-San Luis Farmers’ Association in Pampanga, and Mambalite Palangan Farmers-Irrigators Association in Region 5.

Support Services Office Undersecretary Emily Padilla said the partnership between the ARBOs and institutional markets began last December 2019.

“We started with only three institutional markets, which now have reached 30. EPAHPP has proven its worth as it is fast becoming a big boost in helping our farmers achieve their goals to enhance their productivity, increase their income, and secure their tenurial possessions of the lands the DAR has given them,” Padilla said.

The institutional markets were also given recognition for their invaluable support to EPAHP. The list includes Jose B. Lingad Regional Memorial Hospital in Pampanga,  Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital Cooperative,  Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Department of Education in Pangasinan, and National Nutrition Council-Region V.

Meanwhile, DAR Ilocos Region Office, DAR provincial offices of Agusan del Sur,  Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Bukidnon were awarded for their incomparable dedication  in providing assistance to ARBOs.

Cabinet Secretary and EPAHP Committee Chairman Karlo Nograles divulged that the DAR has already linked a total of 353 ARBOs to different institutional markets, and from January 2019 to November 2021, the ARBOs all over the country have already recorded a total gross sales of Php 531,971,819.68.

“Majority of these sales took place while we are facing pandemic. EPAHP plays a crucial role in national food policy and it ensures that food is available and affordable to everyone,” Nograles said.

On the other hand, Dr. Monserat Chichioco, Medical Center Chief of Jose B. Lingad Regional Memorial Hospital related that they cater to an average of 650 in-patients a day and consume 60 sacks of rice per week.

“Through the DAR and EPAHP program’s linking us with the ARBO we now have a regular supply of quality and affordable rice,” she said.

Some of the institutional buyers are the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social and Welfare Developments, National Nutrition Council, and Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology, to name a few. (DAR)