VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Ilocos Sur distributed P8.1 million worth of farm machinery, equipment (FME), and agri-inputs to 11 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Organizations (ARBOs) on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
 
This assistance, provided under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP), aims to help farmers manage the effects of climate change and El Niño.
 
Four ARBOs received the Major Crop-bases Block Farm Productivity Enhancement Program, each receiving P1.5 million worth of equipment.
 
These include four-wheel drive tractors, water-cooled hand tractors, and rice harvesters.

The recipients are Paraiso ARBs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) from Santa town, Sirmata Agrarian Reform Cooperative from San Ildefonso, Salvador Pandayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Candon City, and Tay-ac Agrarian Reform Cooperative from Bantay.
 
Seven other ARBOs received farm machinery and equipment worth P300,000 each under the Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) program for disaster-affected areas.
 
The beneficiaries include Ayusan Norte-Pantay ARCs MPC from Vigan City, San Emilio MPC from San Emilio, Mambug North ARBs Farmers Association, Inc. from Santiago, Capusoc Farmers Association, Inc. from Santo Domingo, Labut ARBs Farmers Association, Inc. from Magsingal, Sanggir ni Mannalon Farmers Association, Inc. from Burgos, and Legleg Tumbaga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farmers Association, Inc. from Quirino.

Catalina Rol from Magsingal and Eduardo Tabur from Santo Domingo, both farmers who received assistance, expressed their gratitude to DAR.
 
They emphasized how the new equipment and interventions will significantly improve their harvest yields, increase their income, and address irrigation difficulties.
 
Rol said, “Makakatulong itong mga binigay nila, lalo na iyong electric pump dahil mahirap ang tubig ngayon. Kapag kailangan na naming magpatubig sa mga pananim namin, kailangan talaga itong electric pump para may katulong kami at hindi mahirapan ng sobra, mas mabilis pa.”
 
(These things they gave will help, especially that electric pump because the water is hard now. When we have to irrigate our crops, we really need this electric pump so that we have a helper and don't struggle too much, it's faster.)

Tabur added, “Itong mga natanggap namin mula sa DAR na equipment at interventions ay talagang makakatulong sa mga pamilya namin; makakatulong ito para maging mas masagana ang ani namin at tumaas din ang kita na magagamit namin para sa araw-araw na pangangailangan ng pamilya.”
 
(These equipment and interventions we received from DAR will really help our families; it will help to make our harvest more abundant and also increase the income that we can use for the daily needs of the family.)
 
DAR Ilocos Sur Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Engineer Vic Ines assured that ARBOs not included in this distribution will be prioritized in the next funding cycle.
 
He also mentioned ongoing collaborations with other government agencies, such as the National Irrigation Administration, on projects like the Solar Power Irrigation Project.

Governor Jeremias Singson added that the provincial government is actively building thousands of solar water irrigation pumps across the province.
 
These pumps will be free to use and will significantly reduce reliance on electricity or gas for irrigation. (JCR/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)