Agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) organizations in Eastern Visayas received new trucks from Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The heavy-duty dump trucks worth  PHP81 million were distributed to the recipients during the ceremony last Thursday.

As cited in the report of the Philippine News Agency, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, Undersecretary Emily Padilla, and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla led in giving away 18 trucks.

Farmers’ group in Leyte received six trucks. Four each for Eastern Samar and Northern Samar provinces,respectively. Also, Samar received two, and one each for Biliran and Southern Leyte.

“The dump trucks will be used to transport agriculture products from the farm to the market. This is like an incentive to well-performing organizations. The agency will also provide assistance to small farmers’ group, but this will depend on what the organization needs,”Castriciones said.

“This dump truck can help us in transporting our palay (unhusked rice) to traders who would buy our produce at a higher price,” Reynaldo Peja said. Peja is the president of one of the farmer’s group recipients.

Other projects of Department of Agrarian Reform

Apart from the dump trucks, DAR chief also led the inauguration of the PHP25.5-million new office building.  Moreover, the reported also stated that DAR also entered into a 25-year usufruct agreement with the provincial government for the use of the land where the building is located.

In the inauguration speech of Castriciones, DAR employees were urged to help in achieving President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s vision to make all farmers in the country become land owners.

Source: DAR awards new trucks to farmers’ groups in East Visayas