DAR chief assures provision of post-harvest equipment to Biliran agrarian farmers

PIA Biliran

BALAQUID, Cabucgayan, Biliran – The presence of no less than the top official of the agrarian reform department during the turn-over ceremony of a post-harvest facility this weekend here has paved the way for the assurance of provision of two post-harvest equipment.

Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” V. Mariano of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), who graced the ribbon-cutting and inauguration ceremonies of P 7, 170,657 worth Balaquid Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) post-harvest facility this barangay, named the provision of a multi-fast rice mill and a mechanical dryer.

Ka Paeng ‘s visit to Biliran province is his 10th official engagement since he assumed the top post at DAR.

The DAR chief saw the necessity of the two post-harvest equipment after his brief inspection tour and dialogue with the farmer leaders of Balaquid Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

Sec. Mariano who lauded the heartfelt welcome of the officials and agrarian farmers in Biliran province vowed to give more assistance to the agrarian farmers to uplift their economic conditions.

He also shared to reporters in a press conference held after the turn-over ceremony of instituting several major reforms at DAR.

Among the reforms include the imposition of two-year moratorium on land conversion, to review lease contract agreements with agribusiness ventures, to conduct an inventory on all agricultural lands and to implement and open door policy for the accessibility of agrarian reform beneficiaries in all DAR offices nationwide.

He also mulled of writing-off the unpaid amortization of agrarian reform farmers from payment of irrigation fees and providing quick response fund to immediately address the damages on crops in times of calamities. (ajc/rvictoria/PIA Biliran)