NORALA, South Cotabato (PIA) – Farmers in Norala town, South Cotabato, expressed their gratitude to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Region 12 for recently receiving a hauling truck worth P1.886 million.
With the hauling truck, farmers can enhance their productivity and income, as they will no longer have to rely on costly rental services to transport their harvests to the market.
Nevard Zambra, president of the D’Rice Bowl Irrigators Association, an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB), stated that the association is committed to using the truck for the benefit of all its members while expressing appreciation to the government through DAR.
He then assured DAR and local officials that they would honor the trust given to them by properly maintaining the equipment and using it to enhance their farming activities.
“This is not just a truck—it is a tool to help us dream bigger for our families and our community,” Zambra said.
Valerie F. Seiton, OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer of DAR South Cotabato, emphasized that the agri-machinery assistance is designed to support ARBs in enhancing their economic conditions.
She urged the members to seize this opportunity and manage the truck responsibly to secure additional projects from the government.
“We hope this vehicle will not only ease your logistics but also help uplift the lives of every member in your association,” Seiton told beneficiaries.
The equipment, funded through DAR’s Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) under the agency’s Major Crop-Based Block Farming (MCBF) program, is expected to lessen post-harvest losses and reduce production costs, allowing farmers to earn more from their produce.
DAR also urged the association to properly maintain the vehicle, work towards becoming a cooperative, pursue larger-scale projects, and further expand their operations.
Lorna Garde, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for the Beneficiaries Development Division, stated that the group’s outstanding performance and compliance made them eligible for the project.
She cited the significance of S.O.P.—sustainability, operations, and productivity—as strong core values for the associations to maximize the benefits of the government’s assistance.
DAR will continue to support farmer organizations across the country to improve access to post-harvest facilities and strengthen the agricultural value chain, she said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Clement B. Fedoc commended DAR for the initiative, highlighting its importance in strengthening the local agriculture sector.
He noted that such support is crucial for empowering grassroots farmers and enhancing their competitiveness. (AMB, PIA Region 12)
