DAR and Philippine Army Emerges Partnership through PAHP Program

loilo Province - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Iloilo Provincial Office, in collaboration with the DAR Regional Office VI, conducted a successful orientation of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program and market matching activity with the 552nd Engineering Construction Battalion of the 53rd Engineering Brigade, Philippine Army.

The activity, held at the Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo aims to create sustainable market linkages for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Iloilo Province with potential institutional buyers such as the Philippine Army.

One of the key outcomes of this initiative was the positive response from Acting Commanding Officer LTC Jessie Rose B. Austria CE (GSC). LTC Austria expressed enthusiasm about the market linkage opportunities presented under the PAHP program. The 552nd Engineering Construction Battalion is planning to procure commodities from ARBOs in Iloilo Province, recognizing the efforts and potential of its individual farmer members in fostering agriculture and food production as beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

"This partnership is for a good cause," LTC Austria stated. “By sourcing commodities from ARBOs, we are not only supporting local farmers but also contribute to reduced poverty and sustainable development in our region”, she added.

Prior to this engagement, LTC Austria and her team already visited the DAR Provincial Office of Iloilo to secure agreement and approval from Harriet A. Loot, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II for helping the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Iloilo Province in terms of marketing opportunities and together create a positive outcome for this cause.

The PAHP program aims to address hunger and poverty through integrated community-based initiatives, promoting collaboration between government agencies, local farmers and private sector partners. The successful market matching with the Philippine Army is one of the significant steps towards achieving these goals and likewise, yield increased income and poverty reduction among the local farmers.

The DAR Iloilo and Regional Office VI look forward to further