Caraga ARBOs benefit from over P5M support from DAR’s one-stop caravan
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga, together with other partner stakeholders, has boosted its support to the over 130 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in the region with the conduct of the One-Stop ARBO Caravan.
During the January 20-21, 2026, caravan, the Landbank of the Philippines distributed a total of P5 million LandBank-ARBO loans to 48 farmers in Agusan del Norte. In addition, six (6) agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Agusan del Sur also received organic supplements amounting to P425,000, to help improve their crop yield.
Partner agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), offered on-site services such as enterprise development support, skills training information, and market linkage assistance. The CDA distributed Certificates of Registration (CORs) to 34 newly registered farmer cooperatives.
DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Josef Angelo S. Martires, CESO II, emphasized that it is important to conduct one-stop-shop activities to help cooperatives and ARBs, bring government services, such as market access, institutional support, and strong partnerships to beneficiaries, helping them create sustainable livelihoods.
Rizalina P. Canama of Maguinda Agrarian Reform Cooperative (MARECO) expressed her gratitude to the DAR and other partner agencies for their support for the farmers.
“I am deeply grateful to DAR for initiating this One-Stop Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) Caravan and for giving value to us farmers. This includes the distribution of the lands we are currently cultivating,” said Canama.
One of the highlights of the caravan was the product display by different cooperatives, which opened opportunities for collaboration. One of the successful cooperatives is the Sta. Josefa Unified Calamansi Agrarian Reform Cooperative, which secured a market agreement with Bekik Catering Services. Sta. Josefa Unified Calamansi Agrarian Reform Cooperative will deliver 1,000 to 3,000 bottles of ready-to-drink calamansi juice, which could potentially yield P630,000. (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from DAR Caraga)
