RENEWED PARTNERSHIP. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Bicol officials show copies of the signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the continued supply of agricultural and farm products to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in different jail facilities in the province of Albay on Thursday (March 21, 2024). At least four agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Albay province will deliver fresh harvest to the eight jail facilities in the province. (Photo courtesy of DAR Bicol)
LEGAZPI CITY – At least four agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) will continue to supply fresh, clean, and affordable agricultural and farm products to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in different jail facilities in the province of Albay.
In an interview on Friday, Roselyn Ala, DAR-Albay agrarian reform program officer I, said the continued partnership was made possible after the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Bicol renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday.
"Since 2020, BJMP has had a marketing agreement with DAR for the ARBOs. The MOU is renewed yearly, not only in Albay but also in other DAR offices," Ala said.
She said the four ARBOs are expected to deliver newly harvested vegetables, root crops, and fruit products to jail facilities in Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Camalig, Pio Duran, Ligao City, Polangui, Oas, and Tabaco City, Sto. Domingo on a weekly basis.
The four ARBOs are the South Quinale Irrigators Association in Libon; the Association of Women and Men of Gabawan and Sa Agrarian Iriba Gabos sa Kauswagan, both in Daraga town; and Panganiran Irrigators Association in Pio Duran.
Ala said the marketing agreement aligns with the core objectives of the Marcos administration to combat hunger and poverty in the different areas of the country.
She added that aside from the BJMP, DAR-Bicol has an agreement with other government institutions such as the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), the Department of Health (DOH), local markets and other private sector companies in the region.
"All DAR provincial offices in the Bicol Region make sure to assist our ARBOs to market their products from harvest to consumers. We can make sure that the products of our ARBOs are clean, safe, healthy, and with just and reasonable price," Ala said.
In a statement, Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr. Maria Eugenia Alteza said that through this partnership, the Albay ARBOs have gained a total sales of PHP1.69 million from 2020 to February 2024.
“Malaking tulong sa income ng ARBOs ang partnership sa BJMP. Ang BJMP po talaga laging andiyan as supporters ng aming ARBOs. Sana hindi magtatapos ngayong taon at maipagpatuloy ang ating MOU (The partnership with BJMP is a big help in the income of ARBOs. The BJMP is really always there as supporters of our ARBOs. I hope the MOU does not end this year and that it can be continued),” Alteza said. (PNA)
