ARBs who were given lands under RA 6657 (CARL) may still be qualified as beneficiaries of 4Ps under RA 11310 (4Ps Act)

ARBs who are awarded agricultural lands under RA 6657 (CARL) are not automatically considered
poor or not poor under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of RA 11310.

Whether they are considered “poor” depends on whether they meet the poverty criteria defined under the 4Ps Law—not on whether they own land.

Does owning land as an ARB remove a household from being considered “poor”? No. Land ownership is not a basis for exclusion.                                                                                        

How does 4Ps define “poor”? Households classified as poor or near-poor by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (Listahanan), based on income and living conditions.

Are farmers or ARBs excluded from 4Ps? No. In fact, farmers and farmworkers are priority sectors for inclusion in 4Ps under RA 11310.                                                                   

So, can an ARB household still be considered “poor” and qualify for 4Ps?  Yes—if they are still income-poor and meet 4Ps conditions.

Legal Bases

1.   RA 6657 (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law).  Provides that qualified farmers and farmworkers may be awarded land.  The law does not state that once awarded land, ARBs are no longer poor or disqualified from social welfare benefits.  Many ARBs remain economically poor despite land ownership due to lack of capital, irrigation, markets, or support services.

2.     RA 11310 (4Ps Act), Section 6.  A household is eligible for 4Ps if: (1) Classified as poor or near-poor by the National Household Targeting System (Listahanan); (2) Has children 0–18 years old or a pregnant member; (3) Agrees to comply with health and education conditions.  Section 6(c) further states that households of farmers, fisherfolk, and farmworkers are priority sectors for inclusion in the targeting system. This means ARBs are “priority for inclusion”—not excluded.

Conclusion

*ARBs who were awarded land may still be classified as poor under the 4Ps Law.

*Land ownership does not automatically mean they are no longer poor.

*What matters is income, access to services, and living standards—not land title alone.

* If the ARB household still lives below the poverty threshold and meets 4Ps conditions, they remain qualified.

Sagip Saka Act: Empowering Farmers Through Direct Government Support

The Sagip Saka Act or Republic Act No. 11321, signed into law in April 2019, is a landmark legislation that strengthens the agriculture sector by promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural and fisheries development. It aims to empower Filipino farmers and fisherfolk by linking them directly with government and institutional markets, thereby increasing their income and improving their quality of life.

Key Provisions of the Sagip Saka Act

The law institutionalizes the “Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program” (FFEDP)—a comprehensive approach to strengthen the capacity of farmers and fisherfolk enterprises through:

• Market access – Encouraging government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to directly purchase agricultural products from duly accredited farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) without public bidding under certain conditions, as allowed by procurement rules.

• Capacity building – Providing training, mentoring, and technical support to enhance productivity, product quality, and enterprise management.

• Financial and credit assistance – Facilitating access to credit, crop insurance, and government grants for farm inputs and postharvest facilities.

• Infrastructure support – Improving farm-to-market roads, irrigation, and processing centers to reduce production costs and postharvest losses.

How It Benefits Farmers

The Sagip Saka Act addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by Filipino farmers—market instability and low farmgate prices. By promoting direct procurement and removing middlemen, the law ensures that farmers receive a fair price for their produce.

It also promotes value chain integration, encouraging farmers to become not just producers but also entrepreneurs. Through enterprise development, cooperatives can process and package their products, adding value and creating local jobs.

Benefits to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs)

For agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) organized into ARBOs, the Sagip Saka Act is particularly transformative. It complements the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) programs by:

• Providing ready markets for ARBO-produced goods through partnerships with schools, hospitals, prisons, and other government institutions.

• Strengthening ARBOs’ business capacity, enabling them to participate in government procurement under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) and similar programs.

• Encouraging collaboration between DAR, DA, DTI, and LGUs to provide postharvest and marketing support.

• Enhancing livelihood sustainability, ensuring that ARBs who received land under CARP also have the means to make their farms profitable.

Impact on Rural Communities

The law fosters a farm-to-institution model that stimulates local economies and ensures food security. Government agencies now serve as reliable buyers of local produce, creating a steady income stream for farmers and ARBOs. This not only uplifts individual livelihoods but also revitalizes rural communities by generating employment and promoting self-reliance.

Conclusion

The Sagip Saka Act stands as a bridge between government support and grassroots empowerment. By connecting agrarian reform beneficiaries and small farmers directly to institutional markets, it transforms agriculture into a more profitable and dignified livelihood.

Ultimately, the law reinforces the vision of inclusive rural development, where no farmer is left behind and every harvest contributes to the nation’s food security and prosperity.