Tue, 5/23/2017 By Max Macahilo
Visayan Daily Star

The Department of Agrarian Reform-1 installed the 42 agrarian reform beneficiaries of two associations at Dos Hermanas in Talisay City yesterday.

The joint installation was preceded by the distribution of individual Certificates of Land Ownership Awards to 23 farmer-members of the Sta. Teresita Workers Development Corporation, and 19 of Carmen ARB Association.

The two ARBOs will occupy the land formerly owned by Domingo Rodriguez Inc. which has a total land area of 37.9 hectares. Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed with the DAR, the ARBOs will collectively farm and manage the positioned land.

Along with the installation is the awarding of checks for P500,000 for Carmen and P800,000 for Sta. Teresita. DAR-1 has created a package scheme that grants the beneficiaries outright support service in terms of finance during the installation.

The approved credit line with the Agrarian Production Credit Program or APCP depends on the number of hectares an ARBO is going to operate. An ARBO is entitled to a minimum of P50,000 per hectare for loan to finance the production operation.

During the program, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, Teresita Mabunay reminded the farmers of their obligations, most especially the payments of amortizations to the Land Bank of the Philippine and the taxes to the Talisay City government.

Mabunay also pointed out the violations and the possibility of being disqualified from the program once they commit to the ariendo system or engage in selling their rights.

Under the Department of Agriculture order, Talisay City DA head Jucelia Sevilla also committed to give ten sacks of certified palay seedlings to Carmen ARB Association members.*

The new ARBs after the installation rites in Dos Hermanos, Talisay City, yesterday with PARPO Teresita Mabunay*