Bicolano farmers to sell agri-products to PNP

LEGAZPI CITY —Farmer members of various agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) here in the Bicol region will have a steady market for their agricultural products with the recent partnership of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Region 5.

DAR Regional Director Reuben Theodore C. Sindac said the partnership with PNP-Bicol will support and promote the economic empowerment of ARBOs in consonance with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.'s campaign to address critical concerns of hunger mitigation and poverty reduction through Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP).

“Our ARBOs will showcase their fresh and affordable local farm products at the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). This will be an opportunity for our ARBOs to market their products inside the PNP camps,” Sindac said.

The first-ever joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DAR and PNP was signed on at Camp BGen Simeon A. Ola, Legazpi City to combat hunger and poverty in the Bicol region.

Under the agreement, the agricultural display of farmers’ produce and products, dubbed “Agraryo Merkado sa Kampo”, at the PNP Bicol headquarters will happen every Friday for three years. The same activity will be facilitated at the Police Provincial Offices on days considered appropriate by the provincial head.

In his message, PNP Regional Director PBGen. Andre P. Dizon extended his gratitude to all participants including all DAR provincial agrarian reform officers and their counterparts who attended the event.

Dizon believes that through this initiative, they will secure the well-being and promote social justice for those in need. He guaranteed support and said that they are always open-handed in helping them.

"On behalf of PRO V, expect that our office is always open for the benefit of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)," he added.

At the signing, DAR Regional Director Reuben Theodore C. Sindac emphasized each agency’s role in the historical partnership. He stated that the move is parallel to their dream to deliver genuine service to the agricultural sector, especially for existing insurgency issues due to