LOCALLY-MADE. Products produced by Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte are among the goods being featured at the ongoing Karajawan nan Surigao Trade Expo Christmas Edition that will run from Dec. 11 to Dec. 14, 2020 at the Gaisano Capital in Surigao City. Officials underscore the importance of buying local to help farmers and small businesses cope with the coronavirus disease pandemic. (Photo courtesy of DAR-SDN)
BUTUAN CITY – Products manufactured by four Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands are taking center stage at the Karajawan nan Surigao Trade Expo Christmas Edition, which will run from Dec. 11 to Dec. 14 at the Gaisano Capital in Surigao City.
In a statement Friday (Dec. 11), the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN) DAR-SDN said the four ARBOs are the Garcia ARB Cooperative from the town of Sta. Monica, the Honrado ARB Cooperative in San Francisco, the Trinidad ARB Cooperative in Surigao City, and the Jacquez Agra Multi-Purpose Cooperative of San Jose, Dinagat Islands province.
“We also launched the products of our ARBOs who have recently acquired their licenses to operate (LTO) for their processing centers as certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” the DAR-SDN said.
“The Garcia ARB Cooperative featured their agri-based products such as the turmeric herbal powder, salabat, malunggay powder, sambong powder, and lagundi powder, while the Honrado ARB displayed their pure tableya (chocolate) during the trade expo,” it added.
The Trinidad ARB, meanwhile, showcased its banana chips and papaya pickles products, while the Jacquez Agra Multi-Purpose Cooperative is offering its turmeric and ginger powder products.
DAR-SDN Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Elizabeth de Guzman said the ARBOs' participation in the expo seeks to raise awareness on locally-made products to help farmers and local entrepreneurs.
“With the FDA approval of their products, the public is assured of safe, quality, and competitive products from the said ARBOS,” De Guzman said.
DAR-Caraga Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal underscored the importance of bringing farmers' products to the greater public to help them cope with the coronavirus disease pandemic's impact.
“This initiative will help our ARBOs in Surigao del Norte amidst the continuing threat of the pandemic,” Villareal told the Philippine News Agency Friday. (PNA)
