ANAO, Tarlac — About PhP2 million worth of livelihood assistance was distributed by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province.
ARBold Move Project is a program launched in this time of COVID-19 to help farmers who were affected by the crisis, as well as recognize the roles of farmers in ensuring food security amid the pandemic.
In his message, DAR Secretary John Castriciones emphasized the importance of farmers in the nourishment of the Filipinos.
“In today’s time, we’ve seen how everyone was affected by the health crisis. We need people who will plant so we can have food on our tables. Without the farmers, the whole country will not have food to eat,” the cabinet official emphasized.
“You are one of the true heroes of our country, the hope of our country,” he added.
In fulfillment of the first component of the ARBold Move Project, which recognizes Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations as frontline workers, DAR distributed PhP5,000 worth of sets of Personal Protective Equipment to Lawin Farmers Credit Cooperative of Moncada and San Manuel Tarlac Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
For the second component, which aims to provide Farm Productivity Assistance to ARBs, DAR gave out PhP244,000 worth of fertilizer and vegetable seeds to Bacquero Sur Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Lawin Farmers Credit Cooperative of Moncada, and Amia Cruz Agriculture Cooperative.
And lastly under the third component, which pursues to give livelihood support for women ARBs, PhP30,000 worth of Rice Retailing Enterprise was awarded to Amia Cruz Agriculture Cooperative, Teresita Delos Reyes and Marciana Custodio.
Apart from ARBold Move Project, PhP2.7 million worth of farm machineries including 35 horsepower tractors with complete farm implements were given to TG-58 Irrigators Service Association, and Samahan ng Magsasaka ng San Roque, Rizal, Poblacion, Inc. This is included in the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program of DAR for Common Service Facilities.
At present, DAR’s distribution of assistance is still ongoing in the different municipalities of the province.