DAR Supplies Caraga Farmers with 6 Hauling Trucks

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over six units of six-wheel hauling trucks to six agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Caraga Region (Region XIII).

DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla said the trucks, which were provided to the farmers through the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), is designed to help the farmers transport their produce more efficiently and economically.

"These hauling trucks will serve as an added service of ARBOs to its members and non-member farmers," Padilla said. "The earnings from the low-rate rental of the trucks will be used as business asset of the organization and for the maintenance of the trucks."

Costing a total of PHP21.2 million, the six trucks were distributed to the following ARBOs:

• Palmavera Small Coconut Farmer Beneficiaries Coop (PASCOFBEC, Las Nieves)
• Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigators Association (BOFIA, Jabonga)
• Cebolin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CEMPCO, Trento)
• La Fortuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMUPCO, Veruela)
• Esperanza Farmers Credit Cooperative (ESFARCRECO, Del Carmen)
• San Isidro Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIMPUCO, Gigaquit)

"This is a proof of the committed and dedicated service of the DAR to our clients and beneficiaries," DAR Regional Director Leomides Villareal said during the turn-over activity, and added that the initiative is a positive year-starter for the ARBOs, which attracts 300 farmer-members and non-members in total.

BOFIA chairperson Winefredo Maldo expressed his excitement with the new development.

"We have been waiting for this facility because we see that this will help our enterprise by reducing hauling costs for our products," Maldo said.