Agriculture Garduates from Busuanga in Palawan and in Lal-lo Cagayan was given a Certificate of Land Ownership Awards by the Department of Agrarian Reform
DAR-DPWH constructs Php8.5 M Ibung Caldaan TPKP bridge in Nueva Vizcaya
VILLAVERDE, Nueva Vizcaya – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have officially started the construction of the Ibung Caldaan bridge located in barangay Ibung, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya right after its groundbreaking ceremony held this January 2021.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Dindi Tan said the bridge, with a total project cost of P8 million is being implemented under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP), in partnership with the DPWH and the local government unit of Nueva Vizcaya.
Once completed, Tan said, the bridge would benefit more than 4,000 villagers of barangay Ibung who are mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). It is being targeted to be completed this June 2021, in time for the rainy season.
Tan said the two-way steel bridge incorporates a German precision technology and has a 40.20-meter long and 7-meter-wide span.
“The bridge project was requested by the villagers and barangay officials in Ibung to provide the farmers an accessible path to transport their products to the marketplace, especially during the rainy season, when the water overflows from the river,” Tan emphasized.
Tan said the villager’s dream is now slowly being realized, who for 12 years have been clamoring for the construction of a bridge for them to have easy access to bring their harvests from their respective barangays to the marketplace.
Tan led the groundbreaking ceremony with Villaverde Municipal Mayor William P. Tugangui, Vice Mayor Ronelle U. Valtoribio, Municipal Councilors, DAR Regional Director Regional Director Sam Solomero and other DAR and local officials of the Nueva Vizcaya.
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DAR Luzon field offices assessed on its 2020 accomplishments
OLONGAPO CITY—The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted a three-day year-end summative assessment of accomplishments for calendar year 2020 (CY) and planning conference for CY 2021.
DAR Secretary Bro. John Castriciones said the activity focuses on assessing the DAR offices in Luzon of their performance on the programs and projects under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) undertaken last year.
The activity was conducted to analyze the previous year’s sectoral performance of DAR-Luzon on Land Tenure Security Program, Agrarian Justice Delivery Program, and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program vis-à-vis its approved targets and fund utilization.
“The goal of the year-end assessment is to ensure the proper utilization of the agrarian reform fund as it relates to the physical performance of the DAR offices,” said Bro. John.
“This assessment would also help us evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of CARP implementation not only in Luzon but all over the country,” Bro. John added.
The CARP audit is an annual activity of the DAR to ensure the transparency and accountability of the agrarian reform program.
At the planning and assessment, Castriciones called on his central and Regional Directors to strategize on how to improve the implementation of agrarian reform program in the country.
During the plenary and focus group discussion, the participants were able to identify the internal and external drivers and barriers of the DAR, which either helped or hindered in the achievements of its targets.
The DAR officials also identified opportunities for improvements to further enhance the implementation of the DAR’s major final outputs, support to operations projects, priority programs and management accountability.
The activity also focused on ensuring that the development thrusts of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte are integrated into the programs and services of DAR.
For his final message, Brother John directed his officials to implement agrarian reform laws to aid in fighting for farmers’ rights and expediting agrarian legal cases.
“We are all survivors in these challenges that we face. Do not lose hope. Let us charge on. I’m here to support you all the way,” Brother John said.
The assessment and planning conference was held on January 25-27, 2021 in Olongapo City and via online streaming.
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