BUUG, Zamboanga Sibugay (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Zamboanga Sibugay, through its Program Beneficiaries Development Division, under the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development project, recently handed over a production facility to the Villacastor Farmers Marketing Cooperative (VILFAMCO). 

The provision of these facilities to VILFAMCO, an agrarian reform beneficiary organization, signifies a commitment to uplift the livelihood of farmer-beneficiaries by boosting their income through mushroom chip production, underscoring the dedication to community development and prosperity.

VILFAMCO manager, Antero Burgos, conveyed gratitude to DAR for the support and urged cooperative members to work cohesively to enhance their income, thereby benefiting everyone and improving their livelihood.

“Thank you so much to DAR for giving us this facility, which is a great help to the cooperative. To the members, let us consistently collaborate to enhance our earnings,” Burgos said.

The facility, valued at P66,000, consists of a refrigerator and drying machine that aim to enhance the quality of mushroom production of the cooperative. Additionally, it empowers them to create competitive market products, with the ultimate goal of obtaining FDA-LTO registration for their offerings.

During the turnover program, Anthony Teves, chief agrarian reform program officer, expressed hope that the provided facilities would be instrumental in serving their intended purpose and contribute to the improvement of the beneficiaries' lives. 

The turnover event was graced by the presence of local leaders and key stakeholders, signifying the collaborative effort towards enhancing the capabilities of the local community. This initiative served as a milestone for the cooperative, fostering a stronger community through collaboration and bolstering the local economy. (KSA/RVC/EDT/RBI/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)