SAN MATEO, Rizal – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recognized eleven (11) agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) for their invaluable contributions to the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) during the height of the covid-19 pandemic in the years 2020 and 2021.

Atty. Milagros Isabel Cristobal, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Office, said awards were given to these agrarian reform key players, who aside from being recipients of the lands and support services provided by the DAR, have been active participants and leaders to make their awarded lands under CARP productive.

The 11 ARBOs were cited as the best-performing cooperatives in terms of marketing resiliency, marketing consistency, best agri-credit and micro-finance, best in agro-enterprise financing, and ARBOs championing agro-enterprise development.

“It is my privilege and great honor to recognize these progressive ARBOs who dauntlessly forged on and thrived in running their cooperative amidst the hardships and challenges they faced during the pandemic,” Cristobal said.

“We want you to know that your efforts and sacrifices are well-recognized and have a significant and positive impact on your communities,” Cristobal added.

The outstanding ARBOs are the following:

Best in Marketing Consistency and Resiliency:

1.    Saranay Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Ifugao

2.    Rizal Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Kalinga

3.    Bauko Organic Praticioners Credit Cooperative of Mt. Province

4.    Butuan-Agusan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Agusan del Norte

5.    Siari Valley ARB Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Zambonga del Norte

Best in Agri-Credit and Microfinance:

1.    Dujali Free Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Davao del Norte

2.    Oshwind Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Isabela

3.    Caviteno Isabelino Agriculture Cooperative of Isabela

4.    Kalipunan ng Maliit na Magniniyog ng Napaan Mutli-Purpose Cooperative of Aklan

Best in Agro-Enterprise Development Financing:

1.    Oshwind Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Isabela

Women ARBO Agro-Enterprise Champion

1.    Sibes Multi-purpose Cooperative of Apayao

2.    Butuan-Agusan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Agusan del Norte

3.    Caviteno Isabelino Agriculture Cooperative of Isabela

4.    Tumalalud Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Capiz

(DAR)