CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — A total of ₱3,435,000.00 worth of farm machineries were turned over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) MIMAROPA to the members of Mina De Oro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (MAREBEMCO) on June 25.
The event took place shortly after the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, a forum organized by the Presidential Communications Office through the Philippine Information Agency, highlighting the agency’s achievements under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The distributed farm machineries and equipment include a 4-wheel drive farm tractor equipped with a rotovator and dozer attachment, as well as a combine rice harvester with trailer.
These modern equipment are expected to benefit the 1,705 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) who are members of the cooperative.
Also, DAR Mimaropa provided essential farm tools, amounting to ₱148,500.00, to further support the cooperative’s agricultural activities. This includes 50 units of 2-in-1 Kawasaki Knapsack Sprayers, 50 spades, and 50 pairs of boots, which will directly benefit 50 ARB farmer members.
In his message, DAR Mimaropa Regional Director Marvin V. Bernal urged the members and leaders of MAREBEMCO to help other small Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in order for these same organizations to uplift themselves and their livelihood.
“Sa ginagampanan ninyong tungkulin sa MAREBEMCO, nawa ito ay kumalat pa sa ibang ARBOs na maliliit at huwag ninyo po sana ipagkait na i-share sa kanila ang mga best practices ninyo upang sa ganun ay umangat din ang stature ng ibang ARBOs at marating ang tagumpay na tinatamasa ninyo ngayon,” Bernal said.
Meanwhile, DAR Oriental Mindoro Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rogelio D. Madarcos said the turnover of these machineries and tools is expected to enhance the productivity and efficiency of MAREBEMCO, helping to secure a stable harvest and income for the farmers of Mina De Oro, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.
During the turnover ceremony, MAREBEMCO chairperson Nenito Gan, Jr, expressed his gratitude to the government, particularly DAR Mimaropa for its initiative to help the members of their cooperative.
“Kami po ay nagsisikap upang matulungan ang ating mga magsasaka, kaya lubus-lubos po kami nagpapasalamat sa ating ahensiya na Department of Agrarian Reform,” Gan said.
He also underscored the importance of not just the distribution of land titles to the farmers but also through the support services that will help them broaden their knowledge in managing their cooperative.
“Mas kailangan nila (ARBs) ang monitoring, hindi lamang sa pagbibigay na lupa kundi pati na rin sa support services; kailangan sa isang organisasyon ay sila mismo ang magpapalakad dahil ito ay turo ng ating gobyerno,” Gan stressed.
In attendance also during the event were lawyer Leilani Carmelita R. Magbanua, the Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicator, Bongabong Municipal ARPO Cielo C. Misal and PARPO I Remelyn Babida. (JJGS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
