DAR, BJMP ink renew partnership

By Easter Anne Doza

BACOLOD City – The anti-poverty and anti-hunger measures of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) got boost as it inked the partnership anew with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

DAR together with BJMP renewed their commitment to ensure a stable market for the produce of its farmer-beneficiaries through the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program.

DAR Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Lucrecia Taberna, who led the signing of the marketing agreement, said it is imperative to sustain the engagement of the partnership so that both agencies become instruments to fight hunger and poverty.

“Let us navigate together for the renewal of the marketing agreement between DAR and BJMP under the PAHP as it is our social obligation to ensure food security and sufficiency,” Taberna said.

A total of 11 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) will benefit from the marketing endeavor namely the Hacienda (Hda) Pascual Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (ARBA) of Brgy. Alangilan, Bacolod City; Sta. Rosa-Murcia Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ARC) of Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Murcia; Hiyang-Hiyang Malasaga Farmers Association (FA) of Brgy. Katilingban, Talisay City; Hacienda Pula Silay ARC of Brgy. Kapitan Ramon, Silay City;  Sitio Tayap Upland Farmers and Workers Association (FWA) of Brgy Patag, Silay City; Hda. Basag 1 FA of Brgy. Tanza, E.B. Magalona; Hda. Gamboa Brgy. Mabini ARBA of Brgy. Mabini, Cadiz City; San Juan Torena ARC of Brgy. Caduhaan, Cadiz City; Mulawin Lanatan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) of Brgy. Poblacion I, Sagay City; SATOCA ARC of Brgy. Campo Himogaan, Sagay City; and Tigbon ARB and FA, Brgy. Tigbon, Calatrava.

Provincial Jail Administrator of BJMP Negros Occidental JSSUPT Marie Rose Laguyo pointed out that the partnership does not exhaust one another, instead, it has been complementing each other.

“Both agencies may have different mandates, but coming together, it produced quality services, not just for its respective institutions, but for the whole community,” Laguyo said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II- OIC of DAR NegOcc1 Teresita Mabunay said the partnership, which already established three years ago, has been one constant relief to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as it become a steady market for its produce.

“This is indeed one successful program, especially in meeting its main objectives to put food on the tables of our Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and financial security on the part of our farmer-beneficiaries,” Mabunay added.

PAHP for DAR was tailored specifically to address issues against hunger, alleviate poverty, and ensure food security among the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform (CARP) beneficiaries. (PIA)