‘Handog ng Pangulo’ caravan boosts Agusan Norte agrarian reform cooperative’s farm productivity, climate resilience
By Nora L. Molde
MAGALLANES, Agusan del Norte (PIA) — The Rosario Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RARC) in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, received P1.485 million worth of farm machinery and implements during the provincial Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat, held on Monday, September 14, in Barangay Taod-oy, strengthening the cooperative’s farm productivity and capacity to withstand climate-related challenges.
RARC Chairperson Leonila M. Ranggas expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the assistance, saying the farm machinery would provide significant support to the cooperative and its agrarian reform beneficiary members.
“Daghang salamat, President Bongbong Marcos, sa inyong padayon nga suporta sa mga mag-uuma ug sa among kooperatiba. Dako kaayo kini nga tabang aron mapalambo namo ang among operasyon sa uma ug mapauswag ang among produksyon.”
(Thank you very much, President Bongbong Marcos, for your continued support to farmers and our cooperative. This assistance will greatly help us improve our farm operations and increase our production.)
Ranggas also thanked Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante for her support to RARC and the province’s farmers, particularly her commitment to provide additional assistance to further strengthen the cooperative’s farming operations.
“Daghang salamat usab, Governor Angel, sa inyong kanunay nga pagtabang ug pagsuporta sa mga mag-uuma. Dako among kalipay nga dili lang kutob sa karon ang inyong suporta kay andam usab kamo nga motabang pa sa among kooperatiba.”
(We also thank Governor Angel for her continued assistance and support to farmers. We are grateful that your support does not end here, as you are also ready to provide further assistance to our cooperative.)
The cooperative received a four-wheel-drive farm tractor with implements through the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPSP).
DAR Agusan del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARO) Elsie Alejandro led the turnover of the farm machinery and presented the Certificate of Turnover to RARC, formally documenting the cooperative’s receipt of the equipment.
The assistance was provided through the CRFPSP’s
Major Crop Block Farming (MCBF) and Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS)
interventions, which aim to strengthen the capacity of agrarian reform
beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations to sustain agricultural production
while adapting to climate-related challenges.
The turnover formed part of the Handog ng Pangulo
caravan, which brought government assistance closer to farmers and rural
communities in support of President Marcos’ agenda to strengthen agricultural
productivity, food security, and climate resilience.
The farm tractor and its implements are expected to
improve RARC’s land preparation and other farm activities, make agricultural
operations more efficient, and help the cooperative increase the productivity
of its members.
Governor Amante committed to providing additional
assistance to RARC to further strengthen the cooperative’s agricultural
activities and production capacity.
During the Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para
sa Lahat, the National Youth Commission (NYC) officials represented President
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Assistant Secretary Gervy M. Gumarit,
commissioner-at-large, and Assistant Secretary Juanquine Carlo Racho,
commissioner representing the Visayas, attended the activity, along with
Executive Assistants Julius Canal and Faith Grace Diocampo.
The participation of the President’s representatives underscored the national government’s commitment to bringing essential services and productive assistance closer to communities, particularly farmers who play a vital role in sustaining the country’s food supply.
The complementary support from the national and provincial governments demonstrates a continuing effort to ensure that agrarian reform beneficiaries have not only access to land but also the equipment and resources needed to make their agricultural enterprises more productive and sustainable.
Through Handog ng Pangulo and the support of the local government, farmers are provided with productive resources to help sustain agricultural production, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s food security and climate resilience goals. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)