Tuguegarao farmers’ coop receives milk processing equipment

TUGUEGRAO CITY, July18, 2013 - The Integrated Farmer’s Cooperative (IFC) is an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) cooperative in the SOUTHCAG Agrarian Reform Community (SouthCag ARC) located at Namabbalan Sur in the eastern part of Tuguegarao city. It has been engaged in small scale dairy production since 2004 through fresh carabao and cow’s milk collection, processing and marketing.

            Through the IFC Milk Processing Shared Service Facility Project funded under the DTI-SSF, the 150-member ARB cooperative received two units milking machines, 6 units milking cans, one vacuum sealer and one bottle sealer. These were turned-over in a ceremony at the Philippine Carabao Center in Tuguegarao City attended by no less than Hon. Randolph S. Ting, Representative, Third District of Cagayan province and other officials of the national government agencies, among others. 

As an ARB cooperative, the IFC is also the recipient of several livelihood assistance, organizational management and skills trainings from LGU-Tuguegarao, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Trade and Industry, among others.

           Under this project, the IFC is expected to expand its market, sustain and increase the volume of production of: (1) pasteurized fresh and flavoured (mango, pandan, chocolate, melon and pineapple) carabao/cow’s milk, (2) pastillas de leche, (3) yoghurt, and (4) milk candy bars.Some of the processed milk products produced and processed by the IFC are available in groceries and supermarkets in Tuguegarao City.   by:christian sales

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/amarophil.cagayan/media_set?set=a.480910175317530.1073741847.100001956556263&type=3

PHOTOBLOG: Aggaw Nac Cagayan 2013 Agri-Trade Fair

The provincial government of Cagayan celebrates the 430^th founding anniversary of its civil government this year from June 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) and one of the major highlights of which is the AGRI-TRADE SHOW/EXHIBIT where products from the different municipalities are on display and sale (Click on the photo to enlarge or right click photo and open in new page for a bigger view).

Booth of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist

DA-BFAR

LGU-Alcala

LGU-Camalaniugan

LGU-Allacapan

LGU-Ballesteros

LGU-Baggao

LGU-Abulug

LGU-Amulung

LGU-Aparri

LGU-Buguey

LGU-Enrile

LGU-Gattaran

LGU-Gonzaga

LGU-Iguig

LGU-Lallo

LGU-Penablanca

LGU-Piat

LGU-Rizal

LGU-Sancez Mira

LGU-Solana

LGU-Sta Teresita

LGU-Sto Nino

LGU-Tuguegarao

DA-BFAR Booth

LGUs promote ARC products in AGGAW Agri-Trade Fair 2013

TUGUEGARAO CITY- Once again, one of the most anticipated activity in the province of Cagayan is the Agri-Trade Fair during the annual AGGAW NAC CAGAYAN celebration. The local government units (LGUs) in the province have constructed their individual unique booths at the Cagayan Sports Complex and loaded them with goods/products from their municipalities. From booths shaped like giant fruits to some mimicking caves, boats, bridges and church buildings, the trade fair booths do not fail to surprise and amuse people trooping into the trade show grounds.          

The provincial government of Cagayan celebrates the 430^th founding anniversary of its civil government this year from June 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday) and one of the major highlights of which is the AGRI-TRADE SHOW/EXHIBIT where products from the different municipalities are on display and sale. There are lots of things to buy in these trade shows such as candies made from native fruits, there are also assorted dried fish such as eel, live fat crabs from downstream Cagayan, home-spun fabrics, hand-woven bags made from indigenous materials, the famous carabao skin Chicharabao cracklings and the equally favourite kinds bibingka, etc. Just bring some money and you will go home happy.

Also found in some LGU booths are products from the various Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the province, such as the In-Shell Roasted Peanut of EASTERN ALCALA ARC; the sweet Bucayu of LABDABES ARC in Allacapan; Carabao Milk Candy from SOUTHCAG ARC in Tuguegarao City; the Kabarangay Sugar Cane Vinegar of MADOVILLA ARC in Piat; and the crisp and glazed sweet Banana Chips of ESTEMARCONBAGA ARC in Amulung, Cagayan. These products are the result of the development trainings provided to agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).  

The Aggaw Nac Cagayan Agri-Trade Show is an exhibition organized by the provincial government so that micro/small entrepreneurs in various municipalities can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services with the assistance of their LGUs. They can also study activities of their competitors so they can improve their products or services and observe recent market trends and spot opportunities. Agriculture is still the major industry in the province of Cagayan. /christiandsales

DARPO-Cagayan is CDA-accredited training provider

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN-The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan (DAR-Cagayan) is now an accredited Cooperative Training Provider after it has complied with the qualifications and requirements of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

     A Certificate of Accreditation was personally delivered and handed over by CDA-Region 02 Regional Director Angelito U. Sacro  to DARPO-Cagayan represented by Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Virgilio M. Acasili on June 19, 2013 at the latter’s office in Tuguegarao City.
     Prior to DARPO-Cagayan’s accreditation, there are no accredited cooperative training provider the Cagayan province.

     The CDA’s accreditation program is mandated under the Cooperative Code of 2008 (Republic Act No.  9520) which aims to institutionalize the conduct of coordinated, rationalized, and standardized education and training for the cooperative and its officers and members. The law requires cooperative officers to attend and complete trainings from accredited training providers as mandatory requirement to develop their competencies in effectively performing their functions in the management of cooperatives.

     These mandatory trainings involve all cooperative officers (board member, general manager, secretary, treasurer and member of audit/election/mediation committee) to attend and complete a series of training courses within two years. The members of the Board of Directors are required to complete nine courses; general managers are required to complete eleven courses; secretaries, treasurers and members of the audit, election and mediation committees must complete four to seven trainings.

     Failure to complete the mandatory trainings will result to the coop’s being declared as non-compliant and it will lose certification of good standing (CGS). Without the CGS, a cooperative cannot secure tax exemption privileges from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as it is one of the requirements in order be given tax exemption.  

     The accreditation of DARPO-Cagayan as a cooperative training provider shall primarily benefit thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries who are members of agrarian reform cooperatives throughout the province of Cagayan.  /cds

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) partnerships to increase farm productivity and 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

Cagayan International Airport to open

LALLO, CAGAYAN – A new international airport is under construction to support the operations of the Cagayan Freeport under the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) headed by Jose Mari B. Ponce, Administrator and CEO. The new $34.2 million (approx. P1.66 Billion) Cagayan International Airport in barangays San Mariano and Dagupan in the municipality of Lallo is originally targeted for completion this fourth quarter of 2013. It has a concreted 46-meter wide 2,200-meter long runway in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

It is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A320, the Boing 737 and other similar sized jets. A paved apron where airplanes will park is under construction, and so are the control tower and the 1,000-square meter terminal building. 

Hangars for jets are also under construction, being one of the objectives of constructing the Cagayan International Airport (aside from accessibility to the various tourism, commercial and industrial centers in the province). It will also bring in more investment opportunities especially ventures related to flying schools, medical and other support system for airport crew and tourism facilities.  and other allied industries.

CEZA officials say that compared to other countries, we have cheaper airspace rates and faster processing of entry and exit permits. We have cheaper rental rates and so these will attract jet owners/operators presently using the crowded airports in Hongkong/China (Guangzhou, Schenzhen, Macao, etc.) to come to Lallo and avail of our aircraft parking and maintenance services. No additional hangar space is expected in Hongkong International Airport until 2023, which is their scheduled expansion.

The prospects for the Cagayan International Airport is very bright as the increasing number of corporate jets, cargo planes and commercial passenger jets in this region has crowded existing airports and more private jets are fighting for the few hangar space in Asian airports.

Also, hotels and other allied ventures are also in the works among the private sector to accommodate the needs of jetsetting billionaires, executives of top corporations in Asia and the presently increasing number of arriving local and foreign tourists who visit resorts in Sta Ana, Cagayan.

The new airport will drastically change travel and trade in the region. 

UPDATES:

Lallo Airport to open in February 2018  (DZRH)

Cagayan to have int’l airport  (Philippine Star)

The Cagayan International Airport is expected to start operation by May next year (2014) and is seen to spur economic and tourism growth in northeast Luzon, especially within the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/08/13/cagayan-airport-start-operation-next-year

CAAP evaluates Lallo airport’s compliance to international standards
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=461393812107

NEW PHOTOS: http://bmolivepascual.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/first-commercial-flight-soon-at-lal-lo-airport/

Rehabilitated Farm-to-market road boosts income of ARBs

Buguey, Cagayan – Officials from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) led by Atty. Marjorie P. Ayson, Regional Director (DAR Region 02) has turned over in favor of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Buguey, led by OIC-Mayor Roderick Antiporda, among others, and the barangay officials of Tabbac, Buguey, Cagayan,  the responsibility for the utilization and maintenance of the rehabilitated and improved farm-to-market road during a turn-over ceremony held on March 19, 2013 at barangay Tabbac in Buguey, Cagayan province. Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 02 also attended the turn-over ceremony. 

The project involved the rehabilitation and improvement of the Tabbac Proper – Junction National Road (JNR) – Sitio San Francisco Road at Sta. Isabel Agrarian Reform Community (Sta. Isabel ARC), Buguey, Cagayan. The farm-to-market road has a length of 4.078 kilometers at a project cost of P7,297,746.21 and funded by the Department of Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project III (DAR-ARISP3).

According to the barangays officials, the farm-to-market road project has significantly improved the quality of life of farmers in the area as they can now transport or load on their kuliglig (hand tractor with trailer) around 20 cavans of palay instead of the usual 7 cavans only before the FMR project was implemented. They can now also have more frequent trips to the market to sell their produce, such as vegetables and watermelon, among others. But the most significant improvement in the lives of ARBs is the fact that the number of traders have increased because of the new access to the farms/products in the community resulting to higher selling prices of farm produce by the farmers as they are now able to choose which trader offers the higher buying price. Additionally, the cost of hauling has been reduced by at least 30%, increasing the savings in favor of the ARBs. The completed FMR now also serves as an alternative route from the town proper to the Lallo International Airport in nearby town of Lallo, Cagayan.

The rehabilitation and improvement of the Tabbac Proper – Junction National Road (JNR) – Sitio San Francisco Road at Sta. Isabel Agrarian Reform Community (Sta. Isabel ARC), Buguey, Cagayan seeks to boost the productivity and income of agrarian reform beneficiaries and the members of their household who have been burdened with excessive fare and hauling costs of farm produce due to poor road condition. /cds