DAR-CAR, DAR-Benguet turnover Farm-to-Market Road to Local Farmer Beneficiaries

The Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera Administrative Region (DAR-CAR) led by Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero, DAR Benguet turnover the Labueg-Taba-ao Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) with a length of 1.267 kilometers for the local Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) on March 13, 2025 at the Municipal Covered Court in Lomon, Kapangan, Benguet.

“Kayat mi nga eebkas ti panagyaman mi ditoy nga project ti DAR. Mayat ta dakami ti beneficiary ket kasla nalag-anan ta inmasideg ti kalsada kenyami,” said ARB Winston Tadpol, as he expressed his gratitude during the inauguration and turnover ceremony.

The newly completed funded FMR by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)-Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) with a total cost of PHP 10 million, is expected to benefit around 769 individuals, mostly farmers. The project which started on February 27, 2024 and was completed on March 15, 2024, provides much-needed infrastructure support to agrarian communities.

Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude to DAR and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “Sana patuloy-tuloy pa ang partnership natin. Our [Municipal Local Government Unit] alone could not have done the project alone,” the mayor said.

DAR Director IV for Project Management Services Von Mark R. Mendoza emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people. “This is a testament to our commitment in making the government more accessible, especially to our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. The FMR is a bridge in changing the lives of our ARBs,” Mendoza stated.

He further highlighted that infrastructure projects like this would have long-term benefits for farmers. “Sa likod ng mga infrastructure na yan, mapapabuti natin ang buhay ng mga magsasaka. Malalaman natin yan hindi ngayon, but in the years to come.” Mendoza also noted that the last ARF-FMR project in the region was in 2010, but under the leadership of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III and President Bongbong Marcos Jr., more support is now being given to agrarian communities.

As a representative for the DAR-CAR Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero, DAR-CAR Assistant Regional Directors (ARD) supported the event.

ARD for Operations Atty. Nelson D.C. Palaris reiterated that DAR’s mission goes beyond land distribution. “Adu pay ti projects under ti DAR. Isa dito ang Project SPLIT to assist farmers in protecting their tenurial rights, hindi ito mawawala, mababawi, at maipapamana sa mga anak.” He also introduced the new Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project, a six-year initiative aimed at supporting rural communities, increasing food security, and protecting natural ecosystems.

ARD for Administration Virginia D. Aycud, in her closing remarks, highlighted the financial responsibility of ARBs in Kapangan, proudly noting that they have no past due accounts under DAR’s credit programs.

Tadpol and his fellow farmers believe that the new road will significantly ease their burden, particularly in transporting agricultural products to the market. “Karamihan sa farmers ay may edad na kaya nahihirapan sa pag-travel ng gulay,” he explained. “Kaya gusto rin naming magpasalamat kay Secretary Estrella III at kay President Marcos. Dati, hindi concrete ang daan namin kaya matagal dumating sa market area.”

Said event was participated in by the DAR-CAR led by Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero, representatives from the DAR Central Office, the DPWH, the Kapangan MLGU, and farmer-beneficiaries from Labueg and Taba-ao. This project was facilitated by DAR-Benguet led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Lailani A. Cortez and staff. (PR)