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DAR
Assistant Secretary Elmer Distor (3rd from left) and Atty.
Jobert Pahilga (4th from left) left a ray of hope to protesting
farmers that the issues raised by the latter in a dialogue held
early this month at the Palo chancery in Leyte will be resolved
under the administration of Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano.
The occasion was also attended by (left-right) Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer Renato Badilla and Regional
Director Sheila Enciso. (Jose Alsmith L. Soria) |
Ormoc farmers
excited on first harvest
By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
September 22, 2016
TACLOBAN CITY – After
16 years of waiting, members of the Bugho Farmers Association (BFA) in
Ormoc City are now excited for their first harvest come first week of
October.
Rosenda Apay, chairperson of the BFA, happily announced this as she
thanked officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during a
dialogue held at the Palo chancery early this month.
Apay, 56, thanked DAR that they were finally installed in June this
year to their awarded lots in Barangay Matca-a under the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) after 16 years of struggle.
Immediately after their installation, the said farmers cultivated the
ricefield and are now expecting their first harvest early next month.
The installation of the BFA was delayed by a legal battle as the Fran
Farm Workers Association (FFWA) questioned in court the selection of
the former as agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
It was only recently that the issue was settled amicably when BFA
offered 21 of the 46 hectares to the rival group.
At present, whatever differences between the two rival groups are now
just but things of the past.
Meanwhile, Regional Director Sheila Enciso directed Assistant Regional
Director for Program Beneficiaries Development Ismael Aya-ay to
coordinate with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to extend
the supply of water to these areas.
Enciso also shared the credit on the BFA’s successful installation
with the Philippine National Police, Commission on human Rights and
the non-government organization RIGHTS Network for the collective
effort.
Others present during the said dialogue were Assistant Secretary Elmer
Distor and Atty. Jobert Pahilga from central office who promised DAR’s
full support to the farmers.
