Members of the Miaga Pag-asa Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MPARCC) in Uson, Masbate, are now certified entrepreneurs.
They are now running their own purified drinking water refilling station in the barangay.
Along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has announced on Monday the turnover of the Aqua Miaga Purified Drinking Water Refilling Station to the members of the MPARCC.
The water refilling station is expected to generate additional income for members of the cooperative.
DAR-Masbate provincial agrarian reform program officer in charge Herald R. Tambal said the project, which is being implemented under the Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Project (CLAAP), is worth P900,000 and would benefit at least 40 agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB)-members of the MPARCC.
Tambal said the CLAAP was created in line with the thrusts and direction of DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones to implement programs and projects to help farmers retain their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), maintain their farming activities, and enjoy the economic benefits for taking care of their awarded lands.
“CLAAP assists the farmers increase their access to economic opportunities through the assistance of line departments and utilizes the ARB households as the focal point for the implementation of the agrarian reform program,” Tambal said.
Tambal also encouraged the ARBs to strengthen their agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) through capacity-building and attending training to develop their skills on the latest farming technologies, community organizing, financial operation, and management of livelihood micro-enterprises activities.
He also noted that the DAR will also provide ARBs and other small-holder farmers in Masbate with seed funds that would enable them to start and develop livelihood micro-enterprises.
Present during the turn-over ceremony were Jaime T. Solana, representing barangay chairman Alme Muaña, Raymund B. Cuazon from DSWD, DAR provincial chief Nicolas D. Briones and other representatives from DAR, DSWD and local government of Masbate.