To boost economic opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries in Mindanao, the Department of Agrarian Reform, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, turned over various infrastructure and crop and food production projects in support of the country’s rural development program.
The P334 million worth of support services includes solar dryers, farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigations, potable water systems, and production of rubber, coffee, abaca, pili, rice, and corn projects.
These were constructed and implemented in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, South, and North Cotabato.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones, who led the ceremonial turnover, said he expected a big economic turnaround for farm communities in Mindanao now that these infrastructure projects are completed and the food and crop production are ongoing.
“These projects are significant in achieving progress in rural communities. These were implemented not only to make life easier for our farmers but also to sustain the development of their communities,” Castriciones said. PNA
“Projects such as these were provided because it is what the farming communities really need to spur rural development, and it is the reason why DAR is here for them,” he added.
The DAR chief said that among those who will benefit from the infrastructure projects are the IPs, specifically, the Blaans, Mansakas, and Mandayas, who were given land titles under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
