A total of 125 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Surigao del Sur, received on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), eight (8) farm-to-market roads and a bridge, with a total cost of PhP208.98-million, and land titles covering 222.10 hectares to improve their lives and boost the agriculture sector in the area.
The roads are located in the towns of Barobo, with a total cost Php50-million; two (2) roads in San Miguel, costing Php30-million and Php27.6-million respectively; Madrid Php27.2-million; Carmen, Php20.8-million; Cagwait, Php20.4-million and two (2) roads in Tago both Php12-million.
A bridge, implemented under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP), worth Php8.98-million, was also turned over in the town of Madrid.
The interventions for the farmers are in line with the directives of President R. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, to strengthen the agricultural sector in the country.
Prodencia Tingabngab, an ARB from Tagbina, said the overwhelming support of the government to their community and the province will play a big part in improving their lives.
“We can now have easy access and cheaper transportation costs to bring our agricultural products to various markets and trading centers,” she said.
Atty. Milagros Isabel Cristobal, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Office, who led the distribution of infrastructure facilities said that these would not only help the ARBs in their livelihood activities but also would boost the agriculture sector in the province.
“I hope that with this support you receive, you can sustain producing and serving food to your fellowmen and contribute to the improvement of the local economy,” she said.
The land titles that were distributed to the ARBs were from the towns of Cagwait, Marihatag, San Miguel, Tago, Lianga Barobo, Hinatuan and Tagbina, and from the cities of Tandag and Bislig.
Atty. Kazel Celeste, DAR Field Operations Office Undersecretary, said the assistance of the DAR to the ARBs does not end in land distribution as the agency will continue to provide them with other necessary support services.
“After you receive the lands we would ensure that your newly-acquired properties become more productive to help you improve your economic lives,” she said.
The DAR also turned over Php567,200 worth of farm equipment and farm inputs to the ARBs during the ceremony.
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