Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office 5 Official Newsletter

1. PAGES 6-7 Photo NewsPAGE 2 First Agri-Pinoy Trading
Center in Bicol
inaugurated
PAGE 3 FEATURE: A life well built
Ma. Belinda A. Balde Gina D. Bolaños,
Jaime C. Bio Joel A. Gasga
Rebecca A. Grande
Concesa Y. Iglesia
Marcela A. Lahorra
Eddie C. Manjares
Yolanda N. Pagador
Elizabeth B. Polo
Corazon M. Sabater
Eugenio T. Seguenza
Ramoncito B.Vibar
2014 DARRO V Retirees
PAGE 4P30M worth of ARCCESS
subprojects to benefit
thousands of Bicolano
farmers
see story on page 2
story on page 8

2. 2
ON THE COVER First Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in Bicol
inaugurated
Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) Secretary Gil Delos Reyes
and Secretary Proceso Alcala of
the Department of Agriculture (DA)
led the inauguration and blessing
of the first Agri-Pinoy Trading Center
(APTC) in Bicol on May 15, 2014 at
Sitio Mat-i, Sto. Domingo, Vinzons,
Camarines Norte in time for the
celebration of the feast of the
patron saint of farmers San Isidro
Labrador.
The APTC worth almost 44
million pesos is jointly financed by
the Department of Agriculture and
the Provincial Local Government
Unit of Camarines Norte. It is
anchored on the improvement of
agricultural production to boost
tourism and income of almost
17,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries
(ARBs) in the province. It is also
viewed to be an effective venue of
trading for producers and buyers
and a response to a meager
farm income of vegetable and
fruit producers in the province.
According to Gov. Egay Tallado,
except for competitive price of
farm produce, in APTC farmers
and agrarian reform beneficiaries
are assured that all unsold farm
produce brought in to the APTC
by farmers will be absorbed and
subsidized by the PLGU. The trading
center showcases state of the art
facilities such as the cold storage
to sustain the freshness of fruits
and vegetables, a digital industrial
weighing scale, and delivery trucks.
The idea of APTC is patterned
after the “bagsakan center” or the
“Sentro ng Pamilihan sa Bayan ng
Quezon” in Sariaya Quezon initiated
by then Congressman and now DA
Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Also gracing the occasion were
DAR Regional Director Luis B. Bueno,
NPCO Deputy Director Herman
Ongkiko, DAR V Asst Regional
Directors Rod Realubit & Atty. Leo
Miguel Ramos, PARPO Roseller
Olayres and other representatives
from Department of Agriculture-
Central and Regional Offices,
Vice Gov. Jonah Pimentel and the
members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, and the Municipal
Mayors of the province.
By end of 2014, the APTC is
expected to bring about significant
increase in income of farmers,
empowered agrarian reform
beneficiaries,fully-maximized
agricultural lands and farmers who
are capable of initiating collective
bargaining agreement with other
producers.(Nilla P. Lagatuz)
DAR turns over 24M worth ARCP2 projects, PBGS incentive to Cam Norte PLGU
Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil Delos
Reyes turned over fourteen (14) completed ARCP 2 sub-
projects amounting to 24 million pesos to the provincial
government of Camarines Norte through Gov. Edgardo
Tallado on May 15, 2014 in Vinzons, Camarines Norte
during the inauguration of the first ever Agri-Pinoy Trading
Center in Bicol Region.
The sub-projects include four (4) multi-purpose
pavement/solar dryer amounting to 3.2 million pesos
located in Barangay Laniton, Basud, Malancao-Basud
and Daguit in Labo; three (3) units multi purpose building
amounting to 5.5 million pesos located in Batobalani,
Paracale; Daguit, Labo; and San Isidro, San Lorenzo Ruiz.
Two (2) Day Care Centers amounting to 1.9 million for
Dagang, Paracale and Daguit, Labo; PHF with warehouse
worth 3.2 million also in Daguit; a health station worth 1.4
million in Malangcao-Basud, Labo; a Potable Water System
Level II in Macogon, Labo worth 2.8 million; Access Road
for ARCCESS in Laniton Basud in the amount of 2.2 million;
and farm to market road worth 3.5 million in Talobatib,
Labo. Some 5,800 households and 2,800 agrarian reform
beneficiaries are expected to benefit from these projects.
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from different
barangays of Camarines Norte received the turn-over
documents from Sec. Delos Reyes and Gov. Tallado.
Aside from the multimillion projects, Sec. Delos Reyes
also awarded a check amounting to 9.9 million pesos to
the Provincial Local Government Unit of Camarines Norte
through Governor Edgardo Tallado. The amount is just
portion of the 75 million pesos Performance Based Grant
System (PBGS) granted to the PLGU of Camarines Norte.
PBGS is an incentive given by the Second Agrarian Reform
Communities Project (ARCP2) to performing LGUs who
partake in government reform initiatives with respect to
the implementation of ARCP 2 subprojects.
The PBGS version of ARCP 2 resembles the prominent
government reform program of the DILG, the Seal of Good
Housekeeping conferred to qualified LGUs. The LGU with
the seal can be provided with financial incentives through
the Local Government Support Fund. With almost 400
million worth of subprojects implemented, the province of
Camarines Norte is among those who instituted reforms
in the implementation of ARCP 2 in Camarines Norte and
among the 21 local government units who have completed
the requirements for the grant of PBGS. According to
Gov. Tallado, proceeds from the PBGS shall fund the
construction of the First Farm School in Camarines Norte
that is soon to be constructed adjacent the APTC building
in Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
The partnership of DAR, DA and DSWD through the
Fight Against Poverty was also launched on the same
day with World Food Organization representative Dipayan
Batthachariya gracing the occasion. According to DWSD
Regional Director Arnel Garcia, their office has allocated
an amount of 23 million pesos for Camarines Norte alone
for supplemental feeding program. This amount according to
Garcia will directly benefit the Parent Leader Organizations
of the Pantawid Pamilya Program. The partnership is
envisioned to create greater synergy in engaging the rural
households toward social development, agri-enterprise and
community driven livelihood. The APTC will serve as the food
hub where the required food items for the day care centers
can be sourced out and ensure the ready supply of food
items for the feeding program in the day care centers.
The DAR’s support services to the PHP will be provided
through the Second Agrarian Reform Community Project
(ARCP 2) and the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity
and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) under ARCP 2.
Joining Sec Delos Reyes and Governor Tallado during
the turn over of projects were Cam. Norte Vice Governor
Jonah Pimentel, DAR Bicol Regional Director Boy Bueno
Jr., NPCO Deputy Director Herman Ongkiko, DAR V Asst
Regional Directors Rod Realubit, & Atty. Leo Miguel Ramos,
and PARPO II of Camarines Norte Roseller Olayres.
(Nilla P. Lagatuz)
MAY-JUNE 2014
Sec. Gil Delos Reyes of DAR awarding the check which
represents the PBGS of ARCP 2 subprojects worth 9.9 m
pesos to Governor Edgardo Tallado & Vice Gov. Jonah
Pimentel of the province of Camarines Norte.
Cover Story
The Philippines adapted the theme “Ang family farming ay
buhay” to connote that humanity depends on smallholder
farmers to live and that family farming provides life. Let us
thank the farmers for our food and for sustaining our lives.
2014 is declared as
International Year of
Family Farming (IYFF)

3. 3MAY-JUNE 2014
The Department of Agrarian Reform
in Bicol recently sealed new partnership
with professional service providers (PSPs)
after signing contracts worth P27million
for Business Development Services (BDS)
covering 38 sub-projects and another
P3.5 million for Agri-Extension Services
(AES) covering 20 subprojects, under the
Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity
& Economic Support Services (ARCCESS)
program at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City, June
23, 2014.
The BDS is the capability building
and technical assistance component of
ARCCESS project where the recipients
are those agrarian reform beneficiary
organizations (ARBOs) who were granted
with Common Service Facilities (CSF) or
farm machineries. This component as
support services intervention will benefit
around 15,000 agrarian reform
beneficiaries (ARBs) and some
48 ARBOs in the region.
Present during the signing
ceremony were DAR Bicol
officials headed by regional
director Luis B. Bueno, Jr., and
professional service providers
(PSPs) Bicolandia Greenfields
Development Organization,
Inc. (BIGFIS) represented by
its President, Mr. Joseph Cruz;
Naga College Foundation
(NCF) led by its President Ms.
Marguerite Michelle V. Padua-
Hornby; and Agricultural
Training Institute-Department
of Agriculture (ATI-DA) headed
by Center Director Efren C.
Sabularse.
The purpose of outsourcing
BDS for ARBs enterprises from
the private sector or business
association is to provide the
management expertise that
will catalyze and fast track the establishment
of self-sustaining business units among
ARBOs that will consolidate their farm
management and business operations in
redistributed lands.
“Agrarian reform does not end with land
distribution. The bigger challenge is for
ARBs to retain their awarded lands or not
fall into the trap of selling or pawning their
lands because of poverty,” RD Bueno stated
in his message.
Through ARCCESS, RD Bueno went
on, “our ARBs are provided with strategic
and sustainable support services in the forms
of professional service provision including
agri-extension services and business
development services, and common service
facilitiesorfarmmachineriesandequipment,
so that they can maximize the productivity
of their awarded lands and engage in agri-
related enterprises.”
Regional Program Beneficiaries
Development Chief Lerma B. Dino
explicated that “as a whole, the provision
of BDS to ARBOs under ARCCESS aims
to improve the performance of the agri-
enterprises of the ARBOs, their access to
markets, and their ability to compete in
mainstream and niche market – with the
end goal of increasing their (ARBs/farmers)
income.”
“Specifically, BDS intends to empower
the ARBOs in terms of technical/production,
marketing, financial and organizational/
governance management to realize self-
sustaining agricultural enterprise, based on
the needs assessment conducted in every
sub-project. For the commonly assessed
needs, interventions shall be done to
address the existing weaknesses of the
ARBOs,” Ms. Dino further said.
Modernized Rice Production &
Marketing, Pineapple Production &
Processing, Abaca Production/Processing
& Marketing, Mechanized Block Farming for
Corn Production, and Intensified Vegetable
Production are just some of the subprojects
that will be provided with BDS interventions
to benefit another batch of thousands of our
ARBs in Bicol. (MTVGeneral)
SEALED DEAL. DAR Bicol regional director Luis B. Bueno, Jr.
signing the Contract with one of the professional service
providers (PSPs), Naga College Foundation represented by its
President, Marguerite Michelle V. Padua-Hornby. Witnessing
are (l-r, seated) Asst. Regional Director for Operations Rodrigo
O. Realubit, Asst. Regional Director for Admin. Leo Miguel
A. Ramos, (standing, l-r) provincial chiefs Roseller Olayres
(Cam. Norte), Felix Fruto (Sorsogon), Romulo Britanico
(Albay) & Alex Teves (Catanduanes).
DAR Bicol officials headed by regional director Luis B. Bueno, Jr. (seated, middle)
& ARCCESS point persons together with the professional service providers (PSPs)
of BDS-AES for ARCCESS
P30M worth of ARCCESS subprojects to benefit thousands of Bicolano farmers
DAR, DPWH, LGU hold FMR Pre-Construction Conference
A pre-construction conference for the 3,483.50
m Lalaguna to Umabay Interior Farm-to-Market Road
(FMR) was held in LA UMA EXIN PIARC,Mobo,Masbate,
June 3, 2014. The FMR amounting to 17,593,026
pesos (with a letter of allotment advice of 15,331,065
pesos) is a component of the JICA-funded Agrarian
Reform Infrastructure Support
Program - Phase III (ARISP III)
of the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR).The conference
was aimed at encouraging
closer coordination between
and among the stakeholders
DAR, Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH),
and the Local Government of
Mobo, for the smooth project
execution.
Regional Director Luis B.
Bueno, Jr. led the DAR team
composed of OIC-PARPO II
Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr., OIC-
PARPO I Herald R. Tambal of
DARPO-Masbate, and OIC-
MARPO Edwin C. Yanzon of
DARMO-Masbate City/Mobo;
Engrs. Imelda Lambojon and
Jayciel Bartolome of the DAR-
Central Project Monitoring
Office;andARISP III Consultant
Yukihiro Kawahara.The LGU of Mobo was represented
by Mayor Percival Castillo and Municipal Engineer
Rodolfo Galido while Engrs. Noel L. Sambajon and
Carlos V.Aban were the frontrunners for the DPWH.
Before the pre-construction conference ensued,
the entire inspection contingent conducted an
onsite inspection of the ongoing road clearing work
which according to the DPWH already constitutes 14
percent actual work of the construction project.
Engrs. Imelda Lambojon and Noel L. Sambajon
were the main discussants during the conference in
which the organizational structure for construction,
contract details, as-staked plans, work schedule,
and control program including relevant construction
strategies and implementation were openly discussed
and conveyed to all the attendees.
RD Bueno and Mayor Castillo both expressed in
their respective messages that once this more than
three kilometer-FMR is finished, it will bring economic
progress and development to the LA UMA EXIN PI
Agrarian Reform Community.“DAR projects are always
welcome here in Mobo and our partners in this project
will always have the full support and cooperation of
the local government - from the Mayor’s office down
to the barangay officials concerned,” Mayor Castillo’s
words of assurance. In his message RD Boy Bueno
urged the community members who witnessed the
conference to be pro-active. He said,”Now that the
project has already started, all that we can ask from
the farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries of LA
UMA EXIN PI ARC is their cooperation and vigilance so
that the FMR will be completed within the expected
time frame.” (Ross A. Lustestica)
ON-SITE INSPECTION. The contingent composed of officials from DAR, DPWH
and Mobo-LGU conducted a site inspection of the clearing works for the farm-
to-market road which spans 3,483.50 m from the main road in Brgy. Lalaguna
to Brgy. Umabay Interior.

4. 4
The Isarog Pulp and Paper Company
Inc. at Tigaon, Camarines Sur covers
an entire area of 547.4652 hectares.
It is wholly planted with Abaca till it
was placed under the coverage of
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program in the 1990’s.
Clemente Refe, Jr. is one of the lucky
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) who
was awarded a 2-hectare land in the
area together with 520 others. He was
so thankful for the big opportunity that
was given him that he swore to create
a bright future for himself. He
borrowed money from informal
lenders and bought inputs for his
farm. As the land was unirrigated,
he planted Maize on it. Every
harvest, he dutifully paid off his
loan. When asked how he was
able to avoid the debilitating trap
of the credit cycle, his answer was
“sometimes I get lucky to sell my Maize at
a high price and when I do, I earn profits
which I painstakingly save”.
When he had saved enough, he rented
neighboring farmlands and planted it
with Maize. Soon he had enough money
to buy a .75 hectare land and built his
house on. Later, he yearned to do more,
so he built a solar dryer beside his house
and rented it out to farmers to dry their
paddy rice at the cost of P5/sack. He
also engaged in selling fertilizers for sale
to farmers in the locality.
He is also one of the founders of the
Alamat Multi-purpose Cooperative,
where he devoted much of his time and
commitment for the good of its members.
Clemente is a single man who lived
alone, with the abundance he reaped,
he wanted to pay forward his blessings
that he adopted a boy and raised
him. This adopted son is now a junior in
College which he hopes would have a
bright future ahead.
Today, he is renting a total area of
eight (8) hectares which he is planting
with Maize and another one (1) hectare
which he plants with paddy rice.
When asked what he is thankful
most for, this he said “I thank DAR for its
CARP program, because the land I was
awarded became the turning point of
my life. Things would not be what it is
now, were it not for the opportunity I was
given. Perhaps I still would be stripping
abaca to this day, still wallowing in
poverty and working not for myself but for
me and my landlord. I am very grateful
for what has been given me that I vowed
to make use of it in the best way I can.
I made the land productive and looked
for other lands to make useful because I
do not want to ever go back to the life I
was born into”.
Clemente Refe, Jr. is one living
testament that agrarian reform really
works. He may be a simple farmer like
a million other Filipinos but he chose to
stand out above the rest by creating a
destiny that makes him unique and worth
emulating. (Carla R.Yu)
A life well built
The Salvacion Farmer’s Development Cooperative or SAFADECO held its
13th general assembly successfully.
Still famous as “Pag-urupod” in the west district of Sorsogon City, the farmers’
organization that established a consumer store and copra trading is already
offering savings and loan products not only to farmers but to other sectors since it
started its partnership with DAR-NATCCO. On March 22, 2014, election of new
officers was conducted for the new members of Board of Directors, Committee
on Election, and Committee on Audit.
“Seeing how we manage our general assembly now makes me feel confident
because it is a manifestation that I have made the right decision of adopting
microfinance in our organization,” said Lea G. Dagohoy, BOD member, recalling
how other pioneer members reacted on her decision before. Other members
feared that if microfinance fails, their other business might be confiscated as
payment. But Dagohoy stood on her conviction;believed that it is an opportunity
for the rapid growth of the organization.
The core management team had also played the most important role in the
cooperative. Although they are new members yet they have exerted effort and
became devoted as the pioneers are. “This is our first general assembly that we
have a souvenir program courtesy of the COMAT,” Dagohoy added.
Aside from the usual general assembly’s activities such as election, reporting,
raffles, reciting the VMG, SAFADECO has included the distribution of Stock
Certificate in their activities which can either inspire or challenge a member to
increase his share, and the very educational Financial Literacy Seminar given by
Sally P. Nicolas, NATCCO OSU Head of Southern Luzon.
“Last year was a challenging year for us as it marks our first year operation
in the Savings and Credit business of the cooperative. It was a year when we
enthusiastically knocked unto the heart and mind of our prospect members. It was
also the year when we ardently gave our best to maintain the trust and confidence
of our members especially the pioneers. We needed to prove that we are worthy
of these responsibilities,” said Jessica Samantha D. Acleta, General Manager.
Now, it can be told, that the core management team made it. Even the DAR
Sorsogon could tell them, “job very well done”. At the general assembly, the coop
feels that they need to change and upgrade their vision which focuses only on
farmers because these days, the coverage of their services has expanded, going
beyond the farmers. Again, that indicates success.(Alura A. Jaso)
today’s asset of pioneers
(1)Members voting for their chosen candidate.(2) Vote-Counting (3)
SAFADECO’s Officers, Core Management Team, and NATCCO Officers.
FEATURE
1 2
3
SAFADECO’sCOMAT:
MAY-JUNE 2014
The wide solar dryer beside his house.
ARB Clemente Refe Jr. in his fertilizer shop.
ARB Clemente Refe Jr.

5. 5
My view.
Their lives.
Our story.
MAY-JUNE 2014

6. 6
DAR V & LBP level off on the latest LAD process
issuance. On June 16 2014, the DARRO V Land Tenure
Improvement (LTI) Division headed by CARPO Nida A.
Santiago met with officials from the Land Bank of the
Philippines-Agrarian Operation Center (LBP-AOC) in
Legazpi City led by Engr.Narciso Villarealto tackle DAR
Administrative Order No. 4,Series of 2014. Said A.O.
stipulates the Amendments to the Revised Rules and
Procedures Governing the Acquisition and Distribution of
Private Agricultural Lands under RA 6657.
A.O. 4 provides a common understanding and
appreciation of the revised procedures in the Land
Acquisition & Distribution (LAD) process and ensures
the accuracy and completeness of documents required
in the claim folder (CF) for submission to LBP, which
are necessary prior to and during the conduct of field
investigation, processing of valuation and approval of
land transfer claims.
Also in attendance were DAR V ARD for Operations
Rodrigo O. Realubit & ARD for Administration Atty. Leo
Miguel A.Ramos.(Reuben R. Loria)
In photo are: Engr. Rollie dela Pena (LBP-AAS), CARPO Nida A. Santiago,
LBP Lawyer Atty. Ma. Elena Naval, Engr. NarcisoVillareal (Head, LBP-AOC
5); DAR OIC-Director III Rod Realubit, Engr. Jessie Basco, Jr. (AAS), Engr.
Silvano Mediavillo (Head, FIGP LBP-AOC 5), Ms. Francine Pangilinan (AAS,
partly hidden),OIC-Director III Leo Miguel Ramos,Ms.Cynthia Ramos & the
Operations Division staff.
MAY-JUNE 2014
Bigkis can Paraoma sa Bulan (BPB) lives to the proverb,
“A good payer is master of another’s purse,” meaning,
one who is known to always pay exactly as promised can
borrow money from other people at any time. This or-
ganization, which is headed by Mr. Leoncio M. Gocoyo, is
a good recipient of DAR’s Agrarian Production Credit Pro-
gram (APCP), paying their P1.4 million loan in full at the
Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in less than six months.
The loaned amount was released to them during the
sowing season in January 2014 which the members used
in rice production. Now came the reaping season and
as responsible debtors, they made sure to pay what they
owed. Having shown their integrity, Gocoyo is again distrib-
uting loan forms to the members who are willing to avail
the same service.(Alura A. Jaso)
DAR Bicol actively engages both in the
traditional and the social media not only to
establish authority in the agrarian field but to
share the “social good” the Department has
been doing all this time in pursuit of its Mission. It
always finds the opportunity to have the good
news heralded on the tri-media and the cyber
media.
PBD STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM. “Addressing issues and concerns as well as to harmonize development
efforts with support services providers/partners, and come up with strategic interventions to ensure
accomplishment of targets for the second semester.”- RPBD Chief Lerma Dino ( MTVGeneral)
#SocialMarketing#AdvocacyCampaign#tri-media
ARB Paralegals Undergo Clinic and Tactics Training Thumbs-up for
a successful ARB-Paralegal Clinic and Tactics Training.The ARB-Paralegals
share a thumbs-up with OIC-PARPO II Samuel R. Ongcal, Jr. (center
in eyeglasses), Ines L. Codia, ARPO II of the Agrarian Reform Capacity
Development Service (ARCDS) of DAR Central Office, OIC-MARPO Edwin
C. Yanzon of DARMO-Masbate City/Mobo and the rest of the DARPO-
Masbate personnel.(Ross A.Lustestica)
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the
Department of Finance-Municipal Development
Office confers the Performance-based Incentive
Award to LGU-Milaor, Camarines Sur on July 3, 2014 at
the Milaor Session Hall“in recognition for its exemplary performance
in the areas of agrarian reform initiatives, planning, budgeting, pro-
curement, resource mobilization, governance, financial account-
ability, and institutional development, made possible through the
support of the Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP) II jointly
funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government
of the Philippines”.LGU-Milaor was able to access Php37million
worth of infra projects from ARCPII. In the photo from left are Vice
mayor Andre Hidalgo, ADB Mission Team head Marzia Mongiorgi
-Lorenzo,PARO II Leo Gaveria of DAR-Camarines Sur A,Milaor Mayor
Rogelio Flores, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina l.
Bisotoyong, CESO I, DAR Regional Director Luis Bueno Jr., PARPO I
Raquel Claveria of Dar Cam Sur A,and ARD Rod Realubit,CESO IV.
(Joey Co)
MIDAS TOUCH. DAR Bicol prays for a fruitful partnership with
Mayon Integrated Development Alternatives & Services,
Inc. (MIDAS), one of the professional service providers
(PSPs) being outsourced by the department which will pro-
vide our agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs)
the capability building and technical assistance under
the Business Development Services (BDS) component of
the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity & Economic
Support Services (ARCCESS) program. Photo shows
(l-r, seated) RD Luis B. Bueno, Jr., MIDAS Executive Director
Cristita C. Triunfante, Asst. Regional Directors Leo Miguel
A. Ramos & Rodrigo O. Realubit; (l-r, standing) BAC mem-
bers Hipolita Altavano, Cynthia Ramos, Joy Ranosa; PARPOs
Samuel Ongcal (Masbate), Leonito Gaveria (Cam. Sur 1),
Roseller Olayres (Cam. Norte), Romulo Britanico (Albay,
black shirt), Felix Fruto (Sorsogon, far right); BAC members
Bonny Jesalva, Gil Montales & Nida Santiago. ( MTVGeneral)
FARMERS’ UNDERTAKING. Beneficiaries (top) from Bocon,
Caramoran over 7.3504 hectares and those from Codon,
San Andres ( bottom) under Cambare property covering
4.7850 hectares signed their affidavit to purchase and
took their oath before Hon. Arnel P. Cezar, MTC Judge
for Pandan-Caramoran. Assisting them was LTID ARPO - II
Nancy Bobier (extreme right). (ES Villar)
PHOTO NEWS

7. 7MAY-JUNE 2014
ARISP3 CPMO conducts Field Validation and
Pre - Construction Conference of 7.5 km Batan–
San Ramon FMR at Batan Cluster ARC, Rapu-
Rapu,Albay on June 4,2014.L-R:DARRO V Engr.Danilo
C. Cea, DAR Albay PARPO II Engr. Romulo A. Britanico, ARISP3
CPMO Team Leader Ms.Melle Lamboon, ARISP3 Consultant Mr.
Yukihiro Kawahara,and DARRO V Regional Director Luis B.
Bueno,Jr.(gp_olayres)
RELAXATION IS THE KEY TO PRODUCTIVITY. As the
proverb goes, “All work and no play, makes Jack a
dull boy”, the DARRO V Family headed by its ‘father’,
regional director Luis B. Bueno, Jr., takes time off the
hectic work schedules to enjoy and relax with respec-
tive families in the cool springs of Dos Montes in
Malilipot, Albay. ( MTVGeneral)
MEET THE DAR “PO-GAY” AND “T-BOOM”2014
SEARCH contenders in Catanduanes during the
two-day Family Day last June 26-27, 2014 from blue,
white and green teams. The contestants likewise posed
for posterity with their teammates during the pageant
wherein Ms.Daisy Atencia and Mr. Ritchie Bernal of blue
team were crowned DAR 2014 T-Boom and DAR Po-Gay,
respectively. They were closely followed by 1st Runner-up
tandem of Bernard Belarmino and Pure Tapayan from
green team, and 2nd runner-up, Edgar Tario and Ms
Jean Rose Munda from the white team. (ES Villar)
Facilities on Community-managed Portable
Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH)
Project were turned over to barangay Imalnod
in Legazpi City on May 20, 2014. The project has
installed two units of biogas digester, 1 unit of
rainwater collector, and 3 units iron removal filter in
selected sites of barangay Imalnod. Three heads of
gilts (pig) with 3 month feeds allocation were also
distributed to qualified beneficiaries in the area.
CPWASH National Point Person Norberto S. Quite
emphasized the importance of clean and safe
drinking water especially among the marginalized
sector of the community. He also challenged the
newly trained CPWASH Para-Engineers to offer
services in the construction of CPWASH facilities to
other interested residents in the area. According to
Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I
Estreluna G. Ante, Barangay Imalnod was chosen
as recipient of the project because of its dire need
for accessible clean drinking water being one of
the barangays covered by Southern Legazpi Up-
land Barangays (SLUB) agrarian reform community
(ARC) in Legazpi City.
On the other hand, Regional Program Beneficia-
ries Development Division Chief Lerma Dino stressed
that the facilities must be maintained so that more
residents will gain access to safe and clean drinking
water in a sustainable manner.
Legazpi City Public Safety Officer Perfecto R.
Ofracio commended the Department of Agrarian
Reform for coming up with CPWASH Project in the
upland areas of the City as it addresses the
provision of clean drinking water and environment
protection program of the city. “I would like to
congratulate DAR for coming up with this very
beneficial project.”Ofracio said.
Also present during the Turn over Ceremony
were Legazpi City Municipal Agrarian Reform
Program Officer Herbert Tengco, Development
Facilitator Glenn Pacres, Albay CPWASH Point Person
Wilma O. de los Angeles, and the Barangay Local
Government Unit of Imalnod headed by Bgy.
Captain Valentino M. Llaneta.(gp_olayres)
CPWASH Facilities turned over in Legazpi City
DARCO CPWASH Coordinator Norberto S. Quite together
with Bgy. Kagawad Cesar de los Santos of Imalnod, Legazpi
City, and MARPO Engr. Herbert V. Tengco of DARMO Legazpi
assess the quality of flame generated by the biogas digester.
Legazpi City Public Safety Officer Perfecto R. Ofracio cuts the
symbolic ribbon for the newly constructed rain water col-
lector in Imalnod, Legazpi City. Albay PARPO I Luna G. Ante,
DARCO CPWASH Coordinator Norberto S. Quite, MARPO
Herbert Tengco, Imalnod Bgy Captain Valentino M. Llaneta
and his council witnessing the ceremony.
MOA SIGNING ON MODEL FARM. PARPO Alexander Teves
and Viga Mayor Gordon Olfindo led the MOA signing
in launching the Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS)
Model farms in Ogbong, Viga, one of the areas covered
by ANOGMAROSA ARC. The activity is in partnership with
Viga LGU and its Agricultural Services. Witnessing the
signing at Ogbong barangay plaza were (l-r): Nicandro
Cabrera, OARBO Pres., CARPO Nerisa Aldea, Bgy. Capt.
Mario Timajo, and Viga MAO Elmo Tusi. (ES Villar)
KNOWLEDGE JOURNEY. BARC officers of 13
barangays in Sorsogon City participated in the
Knowledge Journey in Camarines Sur, May 27-28,
2014 with the aim of enhancing their capacity in
doing their noble duty as CARP implementers in
the barangay level. Said project was funded
under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting
(GPB).Same group underwent a 2-day seminar
last year, regarding the latest issuances on LAD
implementation in which the BARC plays a vital
role. (Alura A. Jaso)
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. To give employees the
benefits of life-saving know-how both in public and in
the workplace, the DAR-Catanduanes under PARPO
Alexander Teves conceptualized this year’s Disaster
Preparedness and Fire Safety cum Climate Change
Seminar under the auspices of GAD advocacy on
April 7, 2014 at DARPO, Virac, Catanduanes. HRMO II
Pure Tapayan(on rostrum) provides the overview, while
(frm left) FO2 BenignoTablizo, PARPO Alex Teves, PDRR-
MO Jerry Beo, SFO3 Danilo Tayobana and FO1 Marjoe
Isorena listen. (ES Villar)
PHOTO NEWS

8. 8
Bicol’s Agrarian Reform Information Service
A bi-monthly publication of the
Department of Agrarian Reform
Regional Office 5, Lakandula
Drive, Gogon Legazpi City
EDITORIAL STAFF
MARIA TRINISE VASQUEZ-GENERAL
Editor
REUBEN R. LORIA
Senior Writer
PROVINCIAL CORRESPONDENTS
GEORGE P. OLAYRES
Albay
NILLA P. LAGATUZ
Camarines Norte
JOSE D. CO
Camarines Sur A
CARLA R. YU
Camarines Sur B
EDUARDO S. VILLAR
Catanduanes
ROSS A. LUSTESTICA
Masbate
ALURA A. JASO
Sorsogon
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
LUIS B. BUENO, JR.
Regional Director
RODRIGO O. REALUBIT, CESO IV
OIC-Director III
ATTY. LEO MIGUEL A. RAMOS
OIC-Director III
For inquiries, please write or call the DAR
Regional Office:
480-5180 local 198
480-5181
darro5info@yahoo.com
facebook.com/DARRegion5
MAY-JUNE 2014
To some, retirement may seem like a
breath of fresh air or a reward for the end
of grueling hours at the office, and for
all those years of slaving over mountains
of paper work. For some this is the
time to start doing what they’ve always
wanted to do, to start a business, travel
to distant places or just stay at home
and watch the grandkids. But some look
at it with melancholy. Gone are the days
when they have to stay and work even
after office hours just to beat a deadline.
No more travels to do field work. Not
being able to see through the end of
the project they’ve worked so hard to
initiate. And no more quick after lunch
chats at the corridor to catch up to the
latest news about each other’s lives. For
most of them the office has become one
big family, a place where they’ve found
lifelong friends. And leaving one’s family
behind is never easy.
That is why the send-off party for this
year’s DARRO V retirees is a mixture of
tears and laughter. It was a bittersweet
affair. Some reminisced their glory days,
even working late into the night, the field
work, the laughter they’ve shared on the
road, and the friendships (not to mention
rivalries) they’ve formed after working
together for years. Those left behind
expressed their sadness at losing a valued
co-worker around the office. Others
just couldn’t help but shed tears at the
prospect of their co-worker leaving. They
reminisced their time with the retirees,
and told us what they will miss most
about them. Not to be outdone, a group
of employees performed a funny dance
number that left us laughing our hearts
out.
Change is all around us. Life would be
impossible without change. The day gives
way to the night; the hot summer gives
way to the rainy season. Children grow
up and leave their homes to start their
own family. Being retired is just one of
those changes. It’s time to move forward,
take life slow and pass on the baton to
someone else. But they are by no means
forgotten. We will always remember
those who were here before us, those
who had paved the way for us. We are
indebted to them, some for teaching
us our craft, for giving good advice or
lending an ear to our troubles.
So to this year’s retirees, thank you for
the friendship. Thank you for sharing your
life with us. All of you will be remembered
fondly. And we wish you good luck on all
your endeavors, may the God be gracious
to you. Thank you! Au revoir! Till we meet
again!
Life starts at retirement
1
2 3 4
(1) Photo Ops. The DARRO 5 Family with the retirees.(2) The Three Musketeers -
Mr. Noe Añonuevo, Mr. Hermie Sabiano & Mr. Renato Bragais in a spontaneous
funny number.(3) The retirees with their certificates and plaques. (4) String
Trio. John Steve Lacsina, Hermeine Seperoto and Nikki Giselle Escolano serenade
the retirees. Escolano is a graduate of Bachelor of Music at the Universidad de
Sta. Isabel while the two are still pursuing the same course at the same school.
(MTVGeneral)
RESCUE TEAM. DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes (seated, right)
and RD Eliasem Castillo (standing, 2nd from left) with the DARRO
V First Team headed by PARPO Roseller Olayres (3rd from left) who
braved their way to Tacloban City barely five days after super
typhoon Yolanda struck Eastern Visayas late last year, to provide
assistance in the form of relief items, clearing & cleaning opera-
tions, among others. First Batch includes Daniel Tan (seated, left),
Dennis Miraflor (4th from right), Gerry Ebrada (3rd from right)
& Gabriel Macalla (2nd from right). Also in photo are Mr. Bobbit
Librojo of the DAR-OSEC (extreme right) & two other DAR VIII staff.
Lauded also was the Second Team who followed suit; com-
posed of Engr. Marsel Sayson, Melchor Rigo, Renato Bragais &
Manuel Raneses.
On the right is the letter sent by then DAR VIII Regional Director
Eliasem P. Castillo, addressed to DAR Bicol Regional Director Luis B. Bueno, Jr., commending DAR Bicol for the exemplary efforts
provided & extended especially to DAR VIII personnel affected by super typhoon Yolanda. (MTVGeneral)