New CITIZENS' CHARTER up at DARPO-Cagayan

           A Citizens’ Charter is a document which represents a systematic effort to emphasize the commitment of an Office/Organization towards its clients/citizens on the standards of service, information, consultation, non-discrimination, accessibility, courtesy and redress of grievances.  In some cases, it also includes the expectations of the Office from the client/citizen for fulfilling the commitment of the office.

            Thus, the government has declared as a policy of the State to promote integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective practices aimed at the prevention of graft and corruption, and to attain this end, the State shall maintain honesty and responsibility among its public officials and employees, and shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a program for the adoption of simplified procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite transactions in government (Republic ActNo. 9485, Anti-Red Tape Law).

Pursuant thereto, the Department of Agrarian Reform–Provincial Office (DARPO-Cagayan) in Tuguegarao City, as directed by its head of office, Virgilio M. Acasili, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II (PARO II), has replaced and installed a permanent copy of the Citizens’ Charter on its corridors as a ready reference for its clients to know what do to and where to go for specific transactions pertaining to agrarian reform and rural development. These consists of large tarpaulin posters mounted on aluminium frames and placed on the walls along the office corridors for easy viewing by the public.

DAR’s Citizens’ Charter has the following components: (a) Vision and Mission Statementof the DAR; (b) The procedure to obtain a particular service, e.g., DAR Clearance/Transfer Action, Land Use Conversion, Exemption, etc.; (c) The person/s responsible for each step; (d) The maximum time to conclude the process; (e) The document/s to be presented by the customer, if necessary; (f) The amount of fees, if necessary; and (g) The procedure for filing complaints.  

Republic Act No. 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Law) applies to all government offices and agencies including local government units (LGUs) and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) that provide frontline services. 

A Citizens’ Charter aims to make the administration accountable and more citizen friendly, to ensure transparency in government transactions and to guarantee the right to information.  /cds

DARPO-Cagayan and CSU sign MOA on ARCCESS

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) of Cagayan, represented by PARO Virgilio M. Acasili and the Cagayan State University (CSU), represented by Dr. Romeo R. Quilang, University President was signed on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the CSU-Andrews Campus, Caritan, Tuguegarao City in the presence of Dr. Dominador O. Tamayao, Vice President for Research and Extension, Atty. Marjorie P. Ayson, DAR Regional Director, Mr. Elpidio Urbanozo, Chief, Beneficiaries Development and Coordination Division, and Mr. Aldwin Addun, Human Development Specialist.

Under such MOA, the DAR and CSU undertake to pursue and implement the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) wherein CSU shall conduct the Organizational Enterprise-Needs Assessment and Design Assessment (OE-NADA) which is a major component of ARCCESS project implementation.

The ARCCESS project is a government-led initiative to tap intersectoral (Public-social-private) partnership to increase farm productivity, improve household incomes of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) by providing livelihood through the organization of agricultural enterprises managed by ARBs.

            ARCCESS also aims to teach farmers agri-business technologies to help them establish farm enterprises and gain access to credit, better markets and participate in economies of scale.  Another important goal of the ARCCESS program is to enhance organizational management, i.e., strengthen farmers’ organizations where a lot of  Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) are members.

            Target beneficiaries under this activity are five (5) Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Cagayan province, namely: MADUVICA ARC in Sta. Ana, SUNRISE ARC in Gattaran, SABUNG ARC in Tuao, MADUVILLA ARC in Piat; and MALAUEG ARC in Rizal. 

Under the MOA, the CSU shall undertake the Needs Assessment as a systematic approach to identify the nature and scope of the problem being addressed and the reasons that are causing the problems, to identify the target population to be served, and to determine the services needed to meet the problem/s.

The CSU shall also conduct a Design Assessment to model the theory behind the ARCCESS Project and present a plan for improving the social condition of the target organization/community. The activity intends to improve the capacity of the ARBs in organizing and managing agri-enterprises.

A Final Report shall be submitted by CSU to DAR, wherein such report shall be considered in determining the types of intervention available and suitable for the ARB organization/community under the ARCCESS project, such as provision of common services facilities (CSF), e.g., water pumps, tractors, threshers, harvesters, dryers, etc.,  and/or business development services, etc.                                                                                                 /cds

ARCCESS: Bringing modern agri/biz to Agrarian Reform Communities

     The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support  Services Project (ARCCESS Project), provides support services in favor of the farmer beneficiaries purposely to support the general objective of reducing poverty in the Agrarian Reform Areas (ARAs).

     The ARCCESS project is lined up with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2011-2016) which considers the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extensionwith Reform (CARPER/Republic Act No. 9700) as not only a social justice program but also a plan or strategy to achieve a developed agriculture and fisheries sector.

     ARCCESS also aims to teach farmers agri-business technologies to help them establish farm enterprises and gain access to credit, better markets and participate in economies of scale.  Another important goal of the ARCCESS program is to enhance organization management, i.e., strengthen farmers’ organizations where a lot of  Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) are members.

     There are two (2) strategies of implementation of ARCCESS which will be the focus of investments or funding: (1) the provision of business development services (BDS) to assist the business units composed of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in managing the Common Service Facilities (CSFs) effectively and profitably; and (2) provision of equipment/machineries as CSFs (tractors, threshers, harvesters, water pumps, etc) of business units.

     The implementation of these two components will be based on a favorably appraised business plan and in conjunction with other required components to realize the business of the ARB organizations. Projects to be proposed and funded under this program should also be based on earlier proposals prepared by the different field offices where and when deemed appropriate.

     ARCCESS will be provided to support the production, post-production, post-harvest and post-processing of the following crops: (1) first priority crops - rice, corn, sugar cane and coconut; (2) second priority crops – vegetable, cassava, coffee, cacao and abacca; and (3) third priority crops – palm oil and rubber.

     As to the site/location of ARCCESS projects, priority shall be given to agrarian reform areas (ARAs) which shall be screened according to the following criteria: (1) Must criteria- (1.a) with available development plans and project proposals compatible  or congruent to ARCCESS; (1.b) ARBOs or small holder farmers are willing to form into Business Units and participate in the program; (1.c) which have available contiguous land area which can be developed for agribusiness clusters for economies of scale; (1.d) with existing facilities such as operational irrigation system, post-harvest facilities, and easy access to farm areas; and (1.e) presence of complimentary assistance and/or ready access to agri extension, credit, etc.; (2) Want criteria- (2.a) at least 75% of the proposed project area has been covered by CARP (distributed or leasehold);  (2.b) with existing business partnership with private sector and/or market and with potentials for expansion; (2.c) at a future time, can be scaled up within the value chain; and (2.d) with high market demand.

     As to what organizations may participate, the following ARBOs must have the following qualifications: (1) eligible ARBOs are organizations where majority of active members are ARBs (50% plus 1 of total members currently are ARBs/small holder farmers; (2) currently registered  with either SEC, CDA under RA 9520 or BRW-DOLE and must not be (a) de-listed/candidate for delisting by DAR; (b) dissolved by CDA, SEC, BRW-DOLE; or  (c) written-off by any lending institution; (3) willing to be assisted and formed into Business Units with other ARBOs; (4) without past due account with DAR.

     ARBs and small holder farmers who are not yet organized but who want to participate in the program may join existing registered ARBOs or organize themselves and register as an organization with appropriate government agencies. Participating organizations may be cooperatives, producers organizations, irrigators associations, federation or network of people’s organizations or farmers associations.

     Under the ARCCESS Project, the following types of business activities are eligible for equipment/machinery grant: (a) production (1^st priority); (b) post-production/post-harvest (2^nd priority); (c) processing (3^rd priority).

     Proposals for equipment grant may be selected from, but not limited to, the following menu/sample of eligible equipment/machinery: (a) Palay: hand tractor, mechanical planter, mechanized reaper, mechanical dryer, thresher, sprayer; (b) Corn: mechanical dryer, planter, sheller, tractor, truck; (c) Sugarcane: tractor and accessories, hauling truck; (d) Coconut and value added products: fiber extractor, coco coir baling machine, coir tumble dryer, mechanical dryer, coco sugar pulveriser, hauling truck, virgin coconut oil extractor; (e) Vegetables: regular or vacuum packing equipment, truck, tramline; (f) Coffee: dryer, roaster, crusher.

     Business Development Service (BDS) Providers. The following types of organizations may participate as BDS provider, to wit: (1) qualified non-government organizations (NGOs)/civil society organizations/network; (2) private companies/trading companies; (3) business organizations; (4) state universities and colleges; (5) micro finance institutions/rural banks/ coop banks; (6) cooperatives or federation of cooperatives.

     The eligibility for BDS providers are: (1) must have legal personality to enter into a contract with DAR, registered with SEC/CDA/DOLE (for private entities and NGOs/CSOs); (2) preferably, must come from the same locality and the ARBO; (3) must have been offering business development services (e.g. entrepreneurship training and business coaching, microfinance, input supplier, buying/trading operations, etc.) within the crop/commodity supply chain for at least three years; (4) should be able to deploy competent business manager to be assigned as CBEO; (5) should have a pool of experts/specialists with expertise and experiences in managing business enterprise, agricultural technology, marketing assistance and related fields;  (6) familiar with management of agricultural production, processing and marketing technologies and community-driven development approaches to agricultural/rural development; (7) with sufficient experience in implementing poverty reduction projects focusing on ARBs/small farmers; and (8) without unliquidated funds or past due accounts with DAR and other GFIs.

     Functions of the Business Development Service (BDS) Provider. Under the ARCCESS project, the BDS shall: (1) provide capacity development services and assign and deploy a business coach with experience in managing agri-based enterprises and who will be assigned as community-based enterprise organizer (CBEO). The CBEO shall perform the following tasks - (a) prepare business plans for the common service facilities; (b) ensure that all licenses, legal requirements and other business related requirements are obtained and in place for the enterprise start-up; (c) organize among the ARBOs membership, capable members to compose the workforce complement for the smooth running of the enterprise; (d) identify and implement strategies to achieve revenue goals of the enterprise; (e) identify other users of the equipment in the locality to expand the market for the CSF enterprise; and (f) put in place appropriate control systems for the enterprises, including prudent budgeting, timely recording/accounting, fair incentives, etc.; (g) mentor the ARBOs who were given the CSF enterprise for them to be able to take over the management of the enterprise; (h) in cases of common service  processing facilities, facilitate the adoption of technology requirements and preparation of documentary requirements of certifying organizations applicable to the ARBOs enterprises; and (i) advice ARB households and farm cashflow and coach ARBOs on marketing.

     Other functions of BDS provider: (2) monitor the progress of the services  of the consultant/specialists it has assigned as CBEO to specific group of ARBOs; (3) provide back-up consultants/specialists who can assist the CBEO where necessary without additional cost to DAR in the field of agri-extension, rural finance and/or marketing and could integrate the specific ancillary service to enhance the competitiveness of the ARBO’s farm enterprises; (4) prepare and submit monthly reports on the results of work of its CBEO and other consultant-specialist, including  completed activities, achievements, outcomes, if any, and constraints encountered, as well as agreements reached in meetings and consultations with DARROs and DARPOs and other assisting government and private sector organizations.

     Procurement for Business Development Service will be in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations pertaining to services and Commission on Audit Circular No. 2007-001 dated October 25, 2007 pertaining to the Revised Guidelines in granting, utilization, accounting and auditing of the funds released to NGOs/POs. /cds

More Photos: https://www.facebook.com/amarophil.cagayan/media_set?set=a.431715376903677.1073741827.100001956556263&type=3

Features and uses of the AGRARIAN REFORM BONDS

Features of the Agrarian Reform 10-year Bond (AR Bond): (a) Interest rate is similar to the 91-day Treasury Bills and payable after six months and every six months thereafter; (b) Ten percent of the Bond’s original face value matures every year and paid to the holder of the Bond until the tenth year/maturity date; (c) The Bond is issued by the government through Land Bank. Non-denominated amount to the last centavo and can be as low as P500 (amount less than P500 are paid in cash; (d) Bond transfer can be fully effected (i.e., new bond certificate already in the name of the transferee within five (5) days from date of purchase; and (e) It is Transferable and highly negotiable. 

The AR Bond can be used as payment for goods and services, such as:

(1) Government Assets-Land and other assets of the government, including assets under the Asset Privatization Trust (APT), National Development Company (NDC), and Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). Also, properties foreclosed by Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) either through bidding or negotiated sale; 

(2) Taxes - up to ten percent (10%) of the bond’s original face value  that is maturing during the year may be used to pay: Income Tax (individual or corporate), Final Income Tax due from individual taxpayers, Estate Tax, Donor’s Tax, Value Added Tax, Excise Tax, and other Percentage Taxes; 

(3) Subdivision Lots offered by accredited realty companies like Filinvest Development Company, United Resources Realty and Development Company, Moldex Realty Inc., Active Realty and Development Corporation; 

(4) Machinery and Equipment such as agricultural and industrial machineries of Marsson Industrial Corporation, Dynamic Power Plants Inc.; 

(5) Loan obligations from PAG-IBIG and GSIS; 

(6) Loan obligations with Land Bank ofthe Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), applicable only to original bondholders and their heirs; 

(7) Appliances and furniture from accredited suppliers; 

(8) Hardware and construction materials from accredited suppliers; 

(9) Imported trucks and heavy equipment from Pachino Motors; 

(10) Tuition Fees on State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) such as University of the Philippines (nationwide), Pamantasan  ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Technological University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University of the Philippines, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Rizal Technological Colleges, other SUCs in the provinces; 

(11) Tuition Fees on private schools such as Colegio de Sta Isabel (Naga City), MEIN College (Zamboanga City), St Joseph College (Tacloban City), Ateneo de Naga (Naga City), Good Samaritan Colleges (Cabanatuan City), Manuel Enverga University Foundation (Lucena City), applicable only to original bondholders and their immediate dependents; 

(12) Medical Expenses in Government Hospitals such as UP-Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, All medical centers, special hospitals and sanitaria under DOH; 

(13) Medical Expenses in private hospitals such as Calbayog Sanitarium and Hospital (Calbayog City), Sacred Heart Hospital (San Vicente, Urdaneta, Pangasinan), Dagupan Doctors-Villaflor Memorial Hospital (Dagupan City, Pangasinan) applicable to immediate bondholders and their dependents; 

(14) As security for loans with Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and/or Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP); 

(15) As Investment Instrument – Regardless of the amount it earns interest aligned with the 91-day T-Bills. The Bond can be purchased from the LBP Bond Trading Board at discounted rates and with up to five-month accrued interest waived by bondholders-sellers; 

(16) As Capital and Reserve Investment – Capital and reserve investment for insurance companies and investment for reserve funds of pre-need companies. 

It can also be used as Security Deposit of foreign corporations with the Securities and ExchangeCommission (SEC). 

In addition, it can also be used as Performance Bond of housing contractors with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board(HLURB).  Source: Land Bank of the Philippines/cds