LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- Forty-eight-year-old Ernesto T. San Felipe of Pili, Camarines Sur previously relied on traditional farming methods and would barely get the produce that he expected. 

On top of that, he faced concerns about finding buyers for his farm produce.

Now, he is grateful that the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Camarines Sur II intervened and showed him the government’s readiness and commitment to supporting farmers like himself.  

“Ang dami na pong naging tulong ng DAR sa amin tulad po ng Farm Business School at halos tatlong beses na po kami naka pag attend ng training nila hindi lang pano maging isang farmer kundi maging negosyante. Pinapa aral po kami ng DAR . Sila po yung pumupunta dito sa aming opisina, nagtuturo sila. Kami na po yung sinasadya nilang puntahan para hindi na po nagastusan yung aming mga participants po,” San Felipe said.

(The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has been a great help to us, especially through the Farm Business School.  We have attended their training sessions, almost three times, not just to learn how to be an effective farmer but also as entrepreneurs. DAR sends their personnel to our office to teach us. I think they intentionally come to us to spare the participants from other expenses.)

 San Felipe transitioned from being an ordinary agrarian reform farmer to assuming a bigger role as the president of Sto.Niño Pili Vegetable Grower Association, encompassing a membership of 71 members.

He said the local government unit of Pili headed by Mayor Tomas Bongalonta aided them in seeking partners that will complement their needs. DAR was among the partners tapped and engaged by the LGU to assist.

San Felipe stressed how the numerous trade fairs initiated by DAR helped them boost their sales.

“Tapos nandoon po yung pag anyaya sa amin na sumali sa tyangge (trade fair). Yong pag participate po namin sa pagtitinda po namin sa trade fare tumulong po sila ng nakaraang taon na magfi-fiesta. Isinama po kami ng DAR sa Robinson. Sila din po ang nagbayad noong place na 10,000, kami lang po yong nagtinda. Napakalaking tulong po noon sa amin,” San Felipe stated.

(Then DAR invited us to join the trade fair in Naga, in Robinson in particular, and helped us in securing a booth. They also covered the cost or rent of the booth amounting to P10,000.  All we have to do is sell our produce. That was a huge help.)

DAR Camarines Sur II was cited as the 8th highest-grossing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) nationwide in 2023.

“In 2023 alone, the ARBOs in Camarines Sur II registered total sales amounting to PHP 128,235,547.00, securing the province's 8th place ranking among the top-grossing ARBOs nationwide. This achievement has elevated the Bicol Region into the Top Ten nationwide,” DAR Camarines Sur II Agrarian Reform Chief Engr. Renato C. Bequillo said.

Bequillo added that DAR Cam Sur II was able to achieve its goal of boosting the income of agrarian reform farmers and small-scale partners by clustering the farmers into ARBOs and forging partnerships with agribusiness firms. He also mentioned that joining the tiangge or trade fairs is a remarkable strategy for farmers to get the right market for their produce.

Tiangge features a variety of agriculture products or farm produce, fruits, vegetables, poultry and meat products, handicrafts and weaved products, and fresh and processed foods, among others.

In a press statement, Bequillo said that the trade fair strategy served as an “alternative approach organized by DAR which aims to increase farmers' productivity and incomes, both on and off the farm. Farmers have been able to earn more, thus increasing their budget for daily expenses and the welfare of their families."

San Felipe said that the collaboration with LGU Pili and DAR significantly expanded their partnership, bringing forth many opportunities.  This partnership has also led them to ally with the Camarines Sur Cooperative, enabling them to cater to clients from various agencies as well.

“Laking pasasalamat ko po DAR Camsur 2 simula po noong makilala po kami nila na kahit po noon talaga sobrang hiya ko na mahirap po sa mga tao, subalit ngayon po na develop na ako.  Nagpapasalamat din kami sa tulong ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos. Yong mga lupa po naming binabayaran noon, ngayon wala na po, kaya napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin. Salamat po sa mga programang handog ni PBBM,” San Felipe added.

(I used to be shy and hesitant to interact with people that’s why I am so grateful to DAR Camarines Sur II for helping me to become a better version of myself. On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank President Bongbong Marcos for his assistance. The lands we used to pay for are now free.  This has been a big help for us.  Thank you for the programs given by PBBM.) 

Rolando Cruzata, a 59-year-old farmer and member of Panicuason Farmer Association shared how the farm equipment provided by DAR CamSur II contributed to increasing their crop yield. 

He said that the hauling truck provided by DAR helped them in carrying fertilizers and chicken manure, also used as fertilizers. They also used the truck to transport the farm produce from their houses to the market.

 “Kaya aalagaan talaga naming itong ibinigay ng DAR. Wala pa po itong gasgas.  Nagpapasalamat kami sa DAR tapos sa ating kasalukuyang pamahalaan ni PBMM na nakapokus talaga sila sa programang pang agrikultura. Dagdag pa po ang pagbibigay nila ng libreng lupa na hindi na naming babayaran. Napaka laking bagay po nito sa amin. Masasabi na naming sa amin na talaga ang lupang aming sinasaka,” said Cruzata.”

(We will take care of what DAR has provided us.  This truck still has no scratches.  We are really grateful to DAR and to the current administration under PBMM,  for focusing on agricultural programs.  The provision of free land that we don’t need to pay for is a huge help to us. Now we can proudly say that the land we till truly belongs to us.)  (LSM/PIA 5)