LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to showcase fresh and affordable local farm products from different agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) at the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In an interview on Wednesday, Christine Ascutia, DAR Bicol agrarian reform program officer II, said different ARBOs will display their harvest and products at the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) every Friday.
“The initiative will be formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Friday with DAR Regional Director Reuben Theodore C. Sindac and PRO-5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon. Given the number of PNP personnel, our farmers will have wider opportunities to market their products inside the camp,” Ascutia said.
Under the MOU, DAR will assist participating ARBOs and smallholder farmers in the production and timely delivery of agricultural product displays. They will also ensure that the ARBOs get a good and reasonable price for products and services.
In a separate interview, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the upcoming partnership will strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and local farmers.
“We will have an avenue to promote and facilitate the display and sale of agricultural products. With this program, we are helping and promoting DAR’s programs and activities like Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP),” Calubaquib said.
Buy-bust operations
Meanwhile, in a separate report, police officers seized suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP1.1 million in two anti-drug operations in Catanduanes and Albay on Tuesday.
Calubaquib said the operations conducted resulted in the arrest of a certain “Win”, 29, of Virac, Catanduanes, and the confiscation of 51 grams of shabu with an estimated value of PHP346,800.
Also nabbed in a separate drug sting were “Tham”, 27, and “Jan”, 35, of Legazpi City, Albay, with 113 grams of shabu with a street value of PHP768,400. (PNA)
BANTAY BALITA