03/09/2008 [ tribune.net.ph ]
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has implemented some P21 million worth of infrastructure projects to boost business activities in rural communities in Ilocos Norte.
The projects include the P9-million Cabulaan-Bakurot Road in Barangay Bugayong, Nagarbu agrarian reform community (ARC) in Nueva Era and the P2.3 million Kauplasan-Bartolina road in Barangay Camanga and Balbaldez, Manama ARC in Badoc.
DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman said some 1,200 residents of these communities, mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries benefit from these projects.
The rehabilitation of the P9.4-million Balbaldez communal irrigation system was also launched, which can irrigate 78 hectares of agricultural lands.
“The DAR does not only distribute lands. We also provide infrastructure facilities to enhance rural economy and in the process, create job opportunities in farming communities,” Pangandaman said.
The said projects were funded by the World Bank under the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Development Project (ARCDP2). These were completed in cooperation with the local government units.
The DAR also distributed certificates of land ownership award to some 165 ARBs in Barangay Escoda, Marcos.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Keon stressed the importance of the government’s efforts to reach out barangays that still need development assistance.
“To attain progress, irigation system and roads are basic components in any countryside development program. We thank DAR for the realization of these projects,” he added.
Present during these events were ARCDP2 Technical Advisor Adelberto Baniqued, Badoc Mayor Jonathan Torralba, Nueva Era Mayor Aldrin Garvida, Marcos Mayor Salvador Pillos, Assistant Regional Director Rolando Gamboa and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Christianne Suguitan.
ARCs are clusters of barangays with farmer-beneficiaries awarded by DAR with lands and with convergence of development initiatives from government agencies, LGUs, NGOs and foreign donor communities.
