Fields Magazine DAR Region V

'DARamayan Bikolnon'

MagazineMagazine

©Andrey Pavlov/123RF.COM

Contents

Ants carrying a log -- symbolic of hard work, strict discipline, team work, and conformity. It also represents cooperation and overwhelming obedience to a group.

The picture perfectly depicts the DARamayan Bikolnon theme of the magazine. We derive inspiration from ants, which may be small and seem insignificant, but they teach us the spirit of solidarity, collaboration, and loyalty. In unity there is strength, this old adage has never been more real in DAR Bicol.

The subsequent pages chronicle the determined efforts and sacrifices of DAR Bicol in the pursuit of its Mission.

The strength of one, the strength of all

Toughie Lady CADRAYS Computer aided draftingGeodetic Engineer Richard A. Rayos of DAR Cam Sur A Survey Section pioneered and authored the software Computer-Aided Drafting or CADRays

“Unifying the DAR bureaucracy regardless of geographical divisions and administrative setup.”5

40

On The Cover

Numbers

Programang Agraryo

Iskolar (PAI) grantees

Total ARCs in DAR V

Total ARBs benefited

Subprojects completed

under FAPs

High LAD provinces

in Bicol

hectares of land

acquired and

distr ibuted (LAD)

155

313,250

269

04

448

182,728

16

Foreword

Time may indeed be short and the tasks are still herculean, but the Department of Agrarian Reform is not

daunted. To fully realize our dream of a more equal Philippines, DAR must traverse more valleys and surmount

more mountains. With all its resources and manpower, the Department will triumph with a resurgent purpose.

This purpose is inspired by what our strategy is at core, which is to push for greater unity and cooperation within

and among the members of the Department and its many provincial and district offices: a truly ONE DAR. We

realize that to be able to win the battle decisively, DAR and its committed public servants must work as one.

It is with tempered pride that here in Bicol, we have the fire of DARamayan, through thick and thin, that moves

our hearts and minds to serve and work for the Filipino people; and with this, we are on our way to distributing

the gifts accorded by our laws to the still-landless farmers.

Thus, in this special edition of FIELDS Magazine, see the chronicles of our journey as we “break down walls”

and build truly straight paths to reach the Filipinos who are most in need of our service; discover that our

journey is a journey of evolving commitment, and competence to ensure that the coverage of land reform be

extended to the entire Bicolandia.

Yet, the road we take is still haunted by negative forces, but we do not falter; for we at DAR are not alone. As a

family of our own, through the building of a unified mindset, we at DAR aim to create empowering relationships

with other agencies and the greater Bicolano community.

Despite the challenges, we continue to keep track of our mandated mission under the mantle of agrarian reform.

The Program as it shows in this anniversary issue has practically traversed a meaningful journey. Whatever the

circumstance, we have more stories of triumphs and jubilation, of progress and commitment. This makes a

fitting reminder as we are now in our SILVER YEAR of implementing CARP this June 2013.

I then invite every Bicolano to get to know more about what we do; such is a vital first step to realize genuine

land reform because, after all, it is a fight we all share. To a ONE DAR! To a truly united Philippines!

ATTY. MARIA CELESTINA M. MANLAGñIT-TAM, CESO IIIRegional Director

Women can juggle a career, run a home, raise the kids, even take care of a dog and a husband --- and arrive at the weekend with their mind, body, and soul intact.

The Strength of One, the Strength of All05 Support Services Ease Life for

Bicolano ARBs20

DYNAMISM: The Staying Power in Agrarian Justice Delivery34

Land to the Landless Bicolanos08 Bridging Development Through Partnerships24

DARAB V Opts to Soar Higher36

The LAD Funnel Monitoring System14

The Table is Ready10 DAR: Reinforcing Alliances26

Novelties on Agrarian Justice Delivery38

Farmers Paralegal Extend Helping Hands12

It's Coconut for Life in ARCs28

A Beautiful Legacy39

Making Things Happen15CADRays Computer Aided Drafting16

The Power of SPOTS30

Toughie Lady40

Tales in Checkered Hues18

Cartoon Spread: DAR's Vision32

The Rolling Piso Gets Far42From Bus Station to the Oil of His Dreams44Believing in the Power of Human Resource46

In GAD We Thrust48

©Andrey Pavlov/123RF.COM

Fields Magazine 3

Editor's NoteThis is a special edition.

FIELDS Magazine is envisaged in the light of the ‘One DAR Policy’

in Bicol -- an attack-as-one working strategy, which regional director

Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam favors to call DARamayan

Bikolnon.

DARamayan Bikolnon is a dictum or slogan purposely being used

to evoke a sense of duty, solidarity, and unity among the DAR

Bicol people. It also persuades everyone to stay loyal to each other

through thick and thin.

It stands for: DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform), whose role

as prime driving force for social reform can never be understated;

daramayan - a Bikol term which means helping each other out,

particularly in times of need; and Bikolnon refers to the region and

its people; the area, and field. Thus, the name FIELDS Magazine.

Under the "One DAR Policy" which aims to provide reinforcement

to the present workforce in the high Land Acquisition & Distribution

(LAD) provinces of Bicol, DARamayan is being called for between

and among the DAR people in Bicol to instigate teamwork and

cooperation, to achieve greater returns of accomplishment.

The name FIELDS comes from the idea of the work of DAR that

has infinite possibilities and borderless dimensions in terms of giving

hope and delivering social justice to the landless. The yields and

gains in the department's fields have been enriching, if not inspiring,

propelling everyone to reach for more and conquer greater heights.

A field is also a place where a battle is fought. In a way, bringing real

social justice to our fellowmen is a continuous battle in these fields

that is the Bicol Region. We in DAR Bicol have been fielded to fight

the good fight. We were given the weapons to win, we have the

maneuvers to win, and we will win!

Hence, with this magazine, which is a collection of experiences,

innovations, best practices, milestones and achievements, we

hope to depict and publish the pains and gains, tears and cheers of

CARPER implementation in Bicol.

Stories are penned by DAR V regional and provincial information

officers, with special contributions from other sectors.

Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno. One for all, all for one! In unity

there is strength!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMaria Trinise Vasquez-General

MANAGING EDITORReuben R. Loria

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

CONTRIBUTORS

EXECUTIVE EDITORAtty. Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam, CESO III

Regional Director

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

Policy

Policy

Policy

Policy

PolicyPolicy

DAR

DAR DARDAR

DAR

DARDAR

DAR

DAR DAR

One

OneOne

OneOne

One

One

One One

Agrarian reform often takes the road less travelled. In the backdrop of Philippine democratic society, this

highly contentious, social justice program seems to be in for its most challenging time today since it was enacted as centerpiece program of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino in 1988.

The saga of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) would rather tread in between the trajectories of shades and hues, of dusk and dawn.

The program despite all revealing moments in history, slowly glided with the winds of change, and weathered whatever is there in store of the present moment without losing its substance: land to the tiller, and farmer empowerment.

Designed from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) or Republic Act 6657 in 1988, it went through different faces under the term of President Corazon C. Aquino, President Fidel V. Ramos, President Joseph Estrada, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the term of former Pres. Arroyo RA 9700 or CARP Extension with Reforms Law (CARPER) in August 2009 saw the light of day.

Now in its CARPER stage under President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, agrarian reform implementation sets the final stage that the President wanted to achieve under his term. That means gigantic pacing. That means more efforts to be poured in. And, that means enormous political will to wrap-up land distribution in a decades-old, entrenched social justice program that has been a subject of close scrutiny all these years.

Would there be more positive turn-out of distributing loads and loads of hectares in the country covered under CARP within the time frame of President Aquino’s term?

One DAR Concept With Secretary Gil de los Reyes at the

helm, the current DAR dispensation looks at the macro-work perspective, rather than spreading initiatives into bits and pieces across the regions.

Through the ONE-DAR Concept, it tries to unify the DAR bureaucracy regardless of geographical divisions and administrative set-up. The purpose is to achieve greater returns of accomplishment in so little time, before the five-year term extension under CARPER for land distribution ends in 2014. Whether there will be another lease on life for it to go beyond that, is of no question at the moment while the

The strength of one, the strength of all

Bicol rides through the CARPER journey

by Eduardo S. Villar

George P. Olayres

Jose D. Co

Eduardo S. Villar

Nilla P. Lagatuz

Gerardo C. Buensalida

Edwin C. Yanzon

Alura A. Jaso

Santiago J. Mirandilla

Susie M. Molina

Cynthia A. Ramos

Lilia I. Villegas

Jocylene N. Naz

Atty. Miguel S. Gracilla

ARD for Operations

Engr. Romulo A. Britanico CSEE

PARO - Albay

Rodrigo O. Realubit, CESO VI

PARO - Camarines Sur A

Alexander T. Teves

PARO - Catanduanes

Atty. Leo Miguel A. Ramos

ARD for Administration

Leonito M. Gaveria

PARO - Camarines Norte

Ramon B. Fuentebella

PARO - Camarines Sur B

Samuel R. Ongcal

PARO - Masbate

Gina D. BolañosPARO - Sorsogon

4 Fields Magazine

Department focuses at full length on how to hit the target on time, and in accord with the President’s policy statement in the SONA -- that is to complete land distribution under his term and, correspondingly, with the lapse of the extension period provided in the CARPER or RA 9700.

Under the One DAR Concept, the concern of one becomes the concern of all, shared in the process until it is finally resolved and accomplished. It encompasses restrictions of place and space. It encourages teamwork and cohesion while instilling shared expertise and “backroom” operations.

At a time of Congress’ closely monitoring work accountabilities of set target under CARPER within its five-year extension period, this means doubling creative ways to explore and create new paths to get into the target of land acquisition.

Start it right

Bicol wanted to shoot the message right and clear. In echoing the Secretary’s call, RD Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam at the helm, has taken the quick lane. There are no ifs and buts. That means being more steadfast to the calling.

“We have to tear down walls, ceilings, and floors,” said RD Waying Tam whose optimism for Bicol has always been clear to all, especially that the region remains as one of the high-LAD areas in the country.

We’ve got no quick fix except to respond with great urgency to make ready for the “big waves” of change. Bicolanos of course, would be as resilient as ever.

Thanks to their commune with nature’s adversities, notwithstanding the nagging and intermittent contours of economic depravity in many of its areas; still Bicolanos win every shade of challenge with the lightest of smiles and hope. It’s where we could anchor the One-DAR concept. With that spirit, we know we can readily handle a new chapter of agrarian reform in Bicol. That maybe more novel albeit radically challenging in its fateful sailing to completion.

Yes, Bicolanos can, as the good natured RD would tell her colleagues. We are at the beck and call of a new CARPER horizon. Taking it as a way of life, is getting into the core of ONENESS that’s never before seen at prior times of agrarian reform. This inspiration gets all of us in Bicol to be ready to embark on the call to go the distance in response to the ONE DAR concept as a strategy.

The Secretary himself made clear of the same calling

last year in the light of his vow to distribute the Hacienda Luisita within the mandated period. We heeded right and fast.

In our firm Advocacy, it is aimed to prepare the workforce at the start of the year to new set of rules and activities under the said strategy, and for them to assimilate the concept in their work systems.

The ONE DAR CONCEPT urged everyone at the start of 2013 to tag along that work principle and prospects for the Department as our impetus to move on with zeal, commitment, and propriety to realize the various goals and targets in our major program components: the LTI, PBD, and DAJ.

That alone will serve as a beacon for our individual passion to move on and work with great leaps and bounds this 2013 and beyond.

As we sail on in this journey, we are deeply summoned with the best of all our efforts to make ready for change and be the best in whatever we could. We fervently hope for everyone’s warm embrace of the present and of the future with deep faith, love, and fervor while building continuously on whatever is there left of unity, understanding, and teamwork as it is now being advocated this year, the ONE DAR Concept, “one family dedicated to fulfilling the mandate given us by the Filipino people.”

Straight from the heart

At the outset, when the Advocacy for ONE DAR Concept started among the field implementers in Bicol, the message was simple and pierced through everyone’s desire to make a difference.

In-depth executive conferences ensued later. The talks were straight from the heart. These were the basics of stepping up change that indeed tore down the walls of resistance, fears, and doubts. Just plain and simple business and work.

Banking on the ONE DAR Concept, follow through consultations, and “readying” of technical men in Bicol were pursued vigorously, giving them both the psychological and logistical support.

Regional Special Orders (No.06, 11, and 28) clinched the boundary lines, so to speak. Adjusted coverage of operations involving both LAD (land acquisition and distribution) and Other LTI (land tenure improvement) Activities were issued encompassing all Bicol provinces, with their respective technical workers.

“Touch- down”

The scheme on radiation and re-assignment gained an eventual “touch-down.” There were re-assigned technical personnel including newly designated OIC MAROs in Bicol provinces that will serve the portion of LAD activity, and cutting across their own territorial jurisdictions. That will ensure work complementation of both resources and skills, while not necessarily burdening the bureaucracy at the same time.

Certainly, we’ve got Catanduanes serving Other LTI of Camarines Sur A, B, and Albay and the DAR Municipalities of Lagonoy, Presentacion, and Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Albay has adjusted its coverage to as far as Claveria in Masbate, and Nabua, Balatan, and Bato in Camarines Sur. Sorsogon had to take the areas of San Jacinto, Batuan, Monreal, and San Fernando in Masbate. The LAD-heavy Camarines Sur had to be split into two administrative provinces dubbed as Camarines Sur A extending its coverage to San Pascual, Masbate, and Camarines Sur B with certain areas radiated to Catanduanes. Camarines Norte likewise extended its service area to Sipocot, Camarines Sur.

The first quarter were busy periods for Bicol provinces trying to consolidate efforts and integrate administrative concerns to ensure smooth transition period among technical personnel involved.

On the part of radiating personnel, “referencing” activities, field and database scanning in the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur A and B with respect to Other LTI Activity were already conducted by Bicol technical workers. Insofar as this activity is concerned, radiating personnel

will have to work on leasehold operations, re-documentation, DNYD, DNYP (DBP), and Field Survey Documentation.

In sum, there were distinct work processes involved to speed up both LAD and Other LTI Activities as far as the concept is concerned, and this could be categorized into three stages: (1.) Advocacy stage, (2.) Setting-up stage, and (3.) Operations stage.

The interlinking of these three stages are very vital both in the psychological and physical drive of technical workers in Bicol considering the urgency of achieving set targets come 2014

CARPER deadline. Complementing this overarching objective is a timely administrative support (resource inventory, funding, logistics, etc.) that should go hand-in-hand with operational activities.

Specifically, the region has already come past the advocacy level among frontliners. It has already set up the coordinative mechanisms required in all concerned Bicol provinces through inter-office talks, and site scanning, including conferences with respective LGUs (local government units).

LGUs’ role had been tapped and aggressively linked in this special operation via ONE DAR Concept. This forms part of the distinct strategy to boost field-based activities for both LAD and Other LTI work components.

Mapping it out

After intensive consultations, one-on-one discussions, and deep organizational analysis pertaining to: driving forces, restraining factors, resource (physical, funding, and human) requirements and strategy building, the next crucial step had to be firmed up in an Action Plan for specific provinces concerned. At least for Other LTI Activities, a firmed-up Plan was fleshed out in the latter part of the first quarter.

The action plan looked into specific timeline of activities and projected outputs that will guide the field frontliners in Bicol provinces involving MAROs, OIC-MAROs, SARPTs /ARPTs.

Insight At the core of the strategy in effecting change and efficiently

meeting up desired targets are our program beneficiaries. As we proceed swiftly into the fulfillment of CARPER in its five-year term in 2014, we are bound by our obligations to fulfill that end with utmost satisfaction of our people, and those whom we profess to serve.

THE FRONTLINERS. Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs) in deep discussion.

UNITED FRONT. One DAR family headed by Undersecretary for Field Operations Office Jose Z. Grageda (center) and Regional Director Maria Celestina Manlagñit-Tam (in black shirt).

6 Fields FieldsMagazine Magazine 7

T he implementation of land distribution program in Bicol Region is quite a story to tell. A story of landowners crying foul over the coverage of their landholdings, and of thousands of poor farmers

having lands of their own at last. Story of never-ending court cases litigations, and of landowners and farmers finally settling their differences. A story of years of outstanding accomplishments, and of years of setbacks and ‘drought’. Land distribution in Bicol is an exact story of pains and gains.

Early on, speculations were centered on how DAR would deal with the enormous task of implementing land distribution in Bicol, considering the fact that said region was home to big landlords and old haciendas, whose landowners were not quite ready to give up their properties.

Given this apprehension together with various technical problems that went along with it, implementing land distribution in the region seemed extremely difficult. Skeptics gave this particular undertaking a slim probability of prospering in Bicol.

But DAR Bicol was more than ready to face the challenges.

Readiness that was anchored on a clear mandate to put into action a social justice program that starts with acquiring public and private agricultural lands, and awarding these to the landless farmers.

And so transpired the twenty-plus years of land distribution implementation in Region V that totally disproved the non-believers’ predictions.

Generally, despite all the adversities it went through, DAR Bicol has enough reasons to be proud of with its output in land distribution. To date, a total of 313,250 hectares of agricultural lands have already been awarded to at least 182,728 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). Ownerships of said lands were already transferred to the recipients thru Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) and Emancipation Patents (EPs).

DAR Bicol likewise had made possible the execution of leasehold contracts between landowners and their tenant-farmers involving 31,885 hectares. Said leasehold contracts led to the eradication of disagreements between the two parties and the improvement of the tenurial status of more than 10,000 tenant-farmers.

Land To The Landless BICOLANOS

But the task in Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) became tougher each day especially for the past ten years or so, when what were left are the contentious and problematic landholdings.

Despite this though, in 2007, DAR V had one of its banner years when it hit 95% of its target. The 2007 output of 14,190 hectares at 95% ranked 2nd in the national output for the year. With this, Bicol was lauded as the 'most improved region' by then Asst. Secretary for Operations Dominador B. Andres.

In 2008, DAR V followed up the preceding year’s achievement with even bigger one. At 104% accomplishment-against-target performance, DAR V distributed 15,554 hectares of lands to almost 10,000 ARBs regionwide, making said volume the biggest since 1999 and the percentage highest since 2001 for the region. Regional Director Atty. Maria Celestina Manlagñit-Tam, and DAR Bicol in general, attributed this feat to the appropriate strategies applied and the teamwork within.

But then again, the succeeding years proved to be more intricate for DAR with the advent of the phasing that is required under RA 9700, known as the CARPer, and the new requirements that fieldworkers have to deal with. For one, potential beneficiaries shall have to take their oath before the judge of the municipality/city court concerned, a requirement that somehow caused some delays in the documetation process, which evidently occurred during the transition period.

Then in 2012, a DOJ opinion ruled that untitled private agricultural lands (UPALS) in excess of 12 hectares should be reverted to the State, in which the distribution task, as far as the exceeding hectares are concered, was handed over to the DENR. DAR Bicol's deliverables under this land type went for naught. Nonetheless, subject landholdings will still be awarded to qualified farmers by the DENR.

DAR Bicol’s quest for awarding more lands to more farmers in the region is far from done though. The region still has at least 160,752 hectares of agricultural lands for distribution to potential ARBs. Four of its provinces namely Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon, remain in the top 20 with high target in Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD). These lands will still benefit thousands of farmers more.

However, the bottlenecks that have been there for so long still exist. Uncooperative landowners, properties with pending cases, the

various technical problems and erroneous documents, among others, are still hounding documentation processes.

But always, the resiliency of the men and women in DAR Bicol is out to offset these hindrances. Last year, with barely three years left to complete LAD, the region’s top management had, once and for all, stirred the workforce to gear up for the final push.

At the forefront of this effort to make the difference is the ‘One DAR Policy’ concept which is now being practiced in the region to the fullest. Under this scheme, workforces in the high LAD provinces were augmented by personnel from almost LAD free areas. "Let us tear down walls, ceilings and floors," RD Tam said figuratively as she emphasized

the importance of helping each other out. "Everyone’s role is vital to the attainment of our targets," she stressed.

It could be recalled though that in the past, the essence of One DAR Policy, somehow, had already found its way into the DAR Bicol’s scheme of defusing bottlenecks in the flow of LAD processes. More than a couple of years ago, technical personnel from Catanduanes and Albay reinforced the workforces of Camarines Sur and Masbate in the spirit of workload sharing. Likewise, RD Tam then created a regional monitoring

by Reuben R. Loria

THE FINAL SURVEY of the 30-hectare Mison property in Brgy. Cagmanaba, Ocampo,

Camarines Sur.

OURS, FINALLY! ARBs with their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA)

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Target 18,168 22,429 34,438 35,500 24,705 25,180 45,929 21,254 35,000 35,469 23,000 21,500 25,847 8,702 11,774 9,950 11,000 11,323 15,000 15,000 15,000 8,228 12,153 17,869 16,001

Accomp. 13,668 18,701 8,252 13,206 13,642 24,248 19,627 14,166 17,657 18,332 14,881 12,577 7,952 9,907 11,104 8,082 5,569 10,228 13,260 14,246 15,553 3,432 7,184 7,541 2,828

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

AccomplishmentTarget

2012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988

LAD Status, By Year Under CARP (1988 - 2012)In Hectares

...Continued on page 118 Fields FieldsMagazine Magazine 9

The Table is

readyCoffee table, dining table, computer table, and whatever

table you call it, the most popular table for the Provincial

Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PMEU) is the Table4. In

every conference of Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs),

Table4 is the most in demand. Their conference can not go on without

this table.

Table4 is where the summary information of the province’s

accomplishment on land acquisition and distribution (LAD) can be

seen. This was introduced in 1995 as CARP-LAD Monitoring Report

but there was no database to support it then. It contained only the

total scope, deductibles, cumulative accomplishment, problematic

and workable landholdings, by phase and mode of acquisition. The

whereabouts of the workable balance were also indicated there, all in

numeric form.

DAR Sorsogon’s PMEU has proven their expertise in database

management since the inception of Table4. The PMEU staff designated

as point person for Table4 Mariam Jamoralin conceptualized and created

a simple database using Dbase named as ProvCon, which means

provincial consolidation of LAD Scope. This database was continually

improved based on the information needs of DARRO, DARPO, and

DARMO. Inputs from different sectors were all considered making it

more comprehensive. Unlike the downloaded system that contains only

the balance or at most the last three years registered EPs/CLOAs, the

ProvCon contains the cumulative accomplishment. Thus, all information

in Table4 are supported by this database. The list of landholdings can

easily be generated. The updated database also facilitated updating,

processing, retrieval and generation of reports, and provided accurate

and reliable information -- a real big help in making planning and

management decisions.

According to Jamoralin, constant updates on the entries and

additional data elements were made on this Database consistent with

operational directive on LAD, such that compliance to periodic reports

required by either DARCO or DARRO were made and submitted on

time. “Various tracking or monitoring systems were introduced from

DARCO and DARRO containing varied data preferences which were

aligned with the operational directives of the Undersecretaries of Field

Operations group, these are LADTracks, MASTLTI, LTIMon, FOFile1

and the recent is CARPER LAD Database. We were obliged to comply

with the directives. Building the database system was no hassle for

DAR Sorsogon because the majority of the needed data can be found

in our local database. So, we just copy-paste the information to the new

system,” she said.

With the advent of new softwares, Cynthia Enesio, together with

the technical assistance of Ma. Teresa Dealca and Gilbert Goingo, data on

Dbase system were converted into Microsoft Access Base System. They

stored additional data which were found in EPIS and CLOAIS, making

this more comprehensive. Then, they gave it a name --- LADSystem-

Sorsogon Version. Enesio meticulously encoded the data elements like

name of ARB, Dates of Title’s Generation, Registration, and Distribution,

and all other important information. This development made the system

unique and more comprehensive as far as LAD process is concerned.

Subsequently, they turned it over to Imelda Diones who updated

the report form. Extensive research was made in collaboration with

Shiela Atienza such as the details of each lot from the approved

by Alura A. Jaso Landowner Form page of LADSystem-Sorsogon Version

team led by OIC-Asst. Director for Operations Miguel Gracilla and Chief for Operations Nida Santiago, who traveled to the provincial and municipal offices to look over pending documentation and claim folders, and provide these with speedy and appropriate action. The scheme produced significant results.

Meanwhile, in support of the recent One DAR Policy, comes now the computerization of field offices from the provinces down to the

municipal level. The MAROs and key staff were provided with computers while said field offices were provided access to the Internet in order to enhance administration and interchanging of data. The LAD tracking system introduced by former RD from Negros Elmo Bañares is also being adopted as a tool for monitoring and updating data.

In Camarines Sur, a very high LAD province, data management was further improved by the computer aided-drafting or CADrays, an innovative computer program being used to facilitate in making initial projections, fast track classification of lands, determine alienable & disposable (A & D) and timberlands. ARB paralegal volunteers are likewise being utilized in said province to reinforce the DAR legal officers in providing solutions to agrarian related cases, which have been obstructing the flow of operations.

Conduct of Claim Folder days is likewise being established in the region in order to expedite processing of achievable targets. DAR Bicol is optimistic 2013 could be a banner year again for the region.

To complement these operational strategies, personnel enhancements are being carried out by DAR V, such as executive leadership trainings, computer literacy trainings, wellness seminars, team building sessions and a lot more. The regional management is exploring all possible avenues just to make certain desired results are attained. “Just let the management know the assistance you need and you’ll have it”, RD Tam assures DAR V officials and personnel.

Gains from the recent efforts have become evident already. DAR V attained 122 percent of its target for the first quarter of 2013, distributing 1,868 hectares to at least 1096 ARBs.

DAR Bicol will surely experience the same ups and downs as the deadline for LAD nears. But this will never dampen the spirit of a workforce which has a capable and very supportive regional management that is leading the pack.

FIELD WORK. DAR 5 team headed by OIC-ARDO Miguel S. Gracilla (in green shirt) conducts on-the-spot Pre-Ocular Inspection of three (3) big landholdings in Tinambac, Camarines Sur targeted for coverage under R.A. 9700 or CARPER. Also in photo are (L-R) Camarines Sur B PARO Ramon B. Fuentebella, Mr. Antonio Aginillo, a farmer beneficiary of Tordilla property, and a DAR field technician.

FACILITATING WORK THROUGH TEAM EFFORTS. Sorsogon PMEU staff putting in entries to the LADSystem-Sorsogon Version (Counter-clockwise) Ma. Teresa Dealca (red shirt), Cynthia Enesio, Imelda Diones, Mariam Jamoralin and Gilbert Goingo.

"This land may be profitable

to those that will adventure it."

-Henry Hudson

survey plans on file and the technical personnel or documenter of each claim

folder have been included in the database. All of those were regularly updated.

Because of their initiatives, promptness, consistency, and orderliness of

their report, the team became a national awardee. During the LTIMon (Land

Tenure Improvement Monitoring) System, Sorsogon was chosen as Regional

Help Desk and was awarded with the Undersecretary’s citation. The PMEU

team of Sorsogon assists the provincial offices within the Bicol region in the

build-up and operationalization of the system. Again, during the time of FOF1

(Field Operation File 1), just on its first assessment held at Nawawalang

Paraiso, Tayabas, Quezon, DAR Sorsogon was recognized as having the best

FOF1 files. Once again, the PMEU of DAR Sorsogon became a national

awardee plus they received a Travel Award for the PMEU Head. Another

recognition was given to Sorsogon by FOG during the last FOF1 Assessment

held at Dakak Resort, Zamboanga City.

PARO Gina Bolaños said that with this LADSystem-Sorsogon Version,

it has made research a lot easier for those who would like to access information

from PMEU, as efficiently as possible, with just a click of a mouse.

At any time, the Table is ready in DAR V, thanks to DAR Sorsogon.

...From page 9


Finally, the Provincial Assessment was held on August 30-31, 2012 to review the different milestones of the program, solicit feedbacks, gather testimonies and suggestion on how to enhance the results, and sustain the paralegals and mainstream the Paralegal Development Program into the DAR’s thrusts and initiatives.

Results/Impact of the Paralegal Development Program

It is too early to quantify and qualify the benefits of any program in so short a period of time especially if we are after the tangible results (e.g. number of hectares acquired and distributed, number of land disputes mediated, etc.) The results will take time to achieve, especially if we want to attribute said accomplishments to a group of volunteers whose motivations need to be articulated further.

But one thing is imminent and sure: the DAR was able to effect a different mindset and behavioral change not only among the farmer paralegal volunteers, the farmer-beneficiaries, and the communities they operate in, but also among the DAR field personnel and DAR officials.

The DAR has definitely forged a lasting partnership with the paralegal volunteers based on the trust developed by working as partners in development rather than on the basis of agency-client relationship. We have heard many of the trained paralegals who echoed the sentiment that they have finally understood what the DAR

people are doing and trying to achieve! Before the paralegal training, they had a negative perception of the CARPER due to lack of information and misconceptions. However, since they are now trained with the necessary knowledge and skills as paralegals, they are confident that they are equipped to explain the CARPER laws and issuances to other farmers

and the public, and they are now more than willing to be agents of change.

Likewise, since the paralegal volunteers are community-based leaders, the people tend to believe and follow them and what needs to be done with the least resistance. They are not only known to the community and the weight of their credibility but they also know everyone, their personal circumstances, and the history of the land disputes, among others.

On the other hand, the DAR field personnel will not only work with cooperative point persons in the community, but also with the trained paralegals who can help in so many aspects. The DAR managers are starting to appreciate the importance of the paralegals and their invaluable contributions. It may just be small ripples, but as more success stories emerge and testimonies are being told, the ripples will turn into huge waves that could help the CARPER surge forward!

What we should be doing now is confidence building. We should painstakingly document their achievements how minute or of minor importance they may be. We should

celebrate the milestones by achieving small victories. We should be learning by doing, and doing what we have learned from others

Future plans and next steps for the Paralegal Program in Camarines Sur

1. The formation of the Provincial Farmers Paralegal Desk to handle all concerns

of the paralegal volunteers, and to regularly follow-up their activities. It was proposed that it shall be under the supervision of the Chief of Legal Division.

The names, addresses, and contact numbers of paralegal volunteers will be made available so that farmers who will be needing their assistance will be informed. The PACS and the DAR through its Legal Division will come up with a mechanism to specify their working relationship.

It was proposed by the Legal Chiefs that paralegal volunteers will be allowed to observe the mediation proceedings, meetings, and other related activities of the DAR’s legal officers in the DAR offices and in the field, and of the lawyers in the courts if there is a need to. The purpose of this strategy is to expose the paralegal volunteers to the nuances, proper actuations, and needed skills a paralegal must possess in order to hone their skills further.

2. Continuing Capability Building of the paralegal volunteers

This is subject to the availability of funds, directives, and future plans of BARIE and DAR Central office. However, the DAR Cam Sur A intends to include this initiative in its regular budget.

3. The MAROs are enjoined to utilize the paralegal volunteers, work closely with them, and implement their respective Action Plans

4. Transportation & food allowances, and other benefits

There are plans to provide the paralegal volunteers with transportation and food allowances to facilitate their mobility, or even hire them as job orders (depending on their qualifications, the intended tasks to be assigned, etc). There is also a proposal that they be provided with Philhealth cards or group accident insurance, a suggestion that their children be given scholarships or educational assistance, and similar fringe benefits just to show them that the DAR (and the government) appreciate and value their contributions and its tangible results.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY. Paralegal volunteer Lito Bignotea confers with farmer beneficiaries.

How paralegal volunteers help in accelerating the land acquisition & distribution efforts of the DAR in the far-flung barangays of Camarines Sur

extend helping handsFARMERS-PARALEGAL by Jose D. Co

The Background Camarines Sur is the largest among the

six provinces in the Bicol Region both in terms of population and land area. Camarines Sur has a total land area of 5,266.8 square kilometers and a population of 2,693,821 residents and 288,172 households based on the 2010 census. Its territory encompasses two cities and 35 municipalities.

In order to address the huge Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) balance of the province of more than 45,000 hectares, the DAR Central management decided in January 2012 to divide the province operationally under two separate provincial offices. DAR Cam Sur A comprises Districts I, II, and V whereas DAR Cam Sur B includes Districts III and IV. The division aims to focus on accelerating the acquisition and distribution of the remaining large landholdings by rationalizing the allocation of personnel and resources.

Camarines Sur A is composed of 17 municipalities and Iriga City with a total CARPable area of 21,939.798 hectares under Phases 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. It must be noted that under the Paralegal Development Program, 19 trained paralegal volunteers were selected

from the municipalities of Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan, Cabusao, and Bula. The seven municipalities have a total CARPER balance of 14,540 hectares or 66.30% of the total CARPable area of Camarines Sur A.

The implementation of the Paralegal Development Program in Camarines Sur

Based on the program objectives, the DAR Camarines Sur A conducted an Orientation Meeting about the program which was attended by the respective MAROs, representatives from the Admin & Finance, the Operations, and Legal divisions. Mr. Dave Abogado representing SALIGAN-Bicol, Ms. Aurea B. General of the DAR Regional I & E division, and SUARPO Joey Co, the designated Provincial Coordinator took turns in the discussion of the rationale, objectives, and criteria for the selection of paralegal participants.

OIC-PARO II Rod O. Realubit of DAR Camarines Sur A and OIC-CARPO for Operations Ric Garcia helped in the identification of the municipalities where the paralegals will be selected. They intentionally chose the seven municipalities due to its large CARPER

balances, and for being contiguous except for the municipality of Bula. Bula has a very large previous LAD accomplishment being a land consolidated area that will be needing trained paralegals in order to address the expected land disputes and next-generation tenurial problems.

The Training Team provided the MAROs the criteria in the selection of the participants to the Paralegal Training held on March 6-8, 2012. The criteria were: 1. He/she must be a resident or based in the barangay/community; 2. Must be at least a high school graduate (although 25% of the participants have college degree or at the college level); 3. Must not be more than 60 years old for obvious reason; 4. Must be a BARC chairman/member or a respected or influential leader in the community; 5. Must be supportive of the CARPER and government programs.

They must also be willing to work on a voluntary basis, and must be willing to apply and share their learning to others. There is also a conscious effort to include as many female trainees as possible so much so that almost 30% of the selected participants were women. However, the important factor is that the MARO concerned has to endorse

the participant since he/she is in the best position to know the person, their capabilities, and how they will work together as partners at the field level.

The Paralegal Training was held at Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga City where the participants were also given their Paralegal Manuals as ready reference. It was also during the workshop that their first action plans were drafted. The 1st Paralegal Clinic & Tactic Session was held on May 24-25, 2012 and followed by the 2nd Paralegal Clinic & Tactic Session held on July 26-27, 2012 respectively at the Champagne Garden. The Training Team also monitored the action plans of selected municipalities on July 18-20, 2012 in order to get an actual insight on what was happening at the field level.

SHARING THE GIFT. Atty. Ramon SJ Cabañes, chief legal of Camarines Sur B, shares mediation techniques to the farmer-paralegal volunteers during the Clinic and Tactics Session.


Libmanan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a

population of 100,002, and a total land area of 342.82 km2 or 34,282 hectares. It is composed of 75 barangays, five of which are located in the coastal areas and the remaining 70 barangays are distributed in the low land and upland portions of the municipality.

Libmanan, being considered as the biggest and most populated town in the province, has dramatically prospered in the recent years because of the excellent means of transportation like the national highway, the railroad, and the Libmanan River. Libmaman is mainly agricultural although the coastal barangays also yield a rich catch. A large plain devoted to rice production gave it the distinction as the rice granary of the province.

Similarly, the upland barangays are lush mountainous areas planted to coconut, bananas, root crops, vegetables, and some fruit trees. Most of the upland barangays have been inaccessible for a very long time until recently when farm to market roads were constructed, and paved the way towards the development of the far-flung areas. With the road networks, the agricultural produce were brought down to the markets, and commanded better prices. Likewise, basic commodities were made readily available and affordable to the residents.

The delivery of basic social services like education, health, and nutrition followed suit as the people demand better governance from the local officials. However, it was the government’s agrarian reform program which has made a great and lasting impact in the countryside. As a social justice program it aims to distribute as many hectares of lands to all qualified farmer-beneficiaries despite the constraints and adverse moves of some sectors like the affected landowners and militant farmers organizations.

Despite the lack of manpower, limited resources like vehicles for mobility, and the real threat to their personal security, the DAR personnel earnestly accomplished their

jobs. Furthermore, the opposition and non-cooperation of the landowners, boundary disputes, claims of ownership, and absence of legal documents among others aggravated the situation

The DARMO’s initiative at Libmanan, Camarines Sur

As of November 2012, the total CARPable area of the municipality of Libmanan is 3,398 hectares. However, there is a possibility that 500 hectares more will be added due to the inclusion of ‘new’ lands which were not included to the existing data base and targets. The reasons given are that said landholdings were inaccessible before, the prevailing peace and order condition, and there were no available supporting documents before.

The DARMO Libmanan-Cabusao was headed by MARO Felina Manjares, 56, who assumed office only in February 2012. She was a veteran in the DAR with her working experience expanding to more than three decades. She has been assigned in DARMOs of Pasacao, Pamplona, and San Fernando prior to her present assignment. Occasionally, she was assisted in the field work by her spouse Pol who is also a MARO of DARMO San Fernando. MARO Felina is a hands on manager who spearheaded field works and targeted new lands

For 2012 and 2013, she has targeted a total area of 1,068 hectares. She was being

assisted by Rommel Ortega Bulaong, 47, an Admin Aide but utilized to do field work. He has worked in the DAR since 1991, and was assigned in DARMO-Libmanan ever since and was well versed with every landholding in the municipality.

Assisting in the field work is the lone job order Joel D. Mendoza, 31. He is a resident of Bagumbayan, Libmanan and an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student. He helps in the interviews of FB, ocular inspection with Landbank personnel, and the identification of landholdings, and conduct of surveys that lasts for days in a row. He drives his own motorcycle for mobility. Also helping in the field work are two Government Internship Program (GIP) interns Mike Brioso and Ryan Guerrero.

Specifically, we have photo-documented the work of Mr. Lito Bignotea, the paralegal volunteer and Barangay Agrarian Reform

Committee (BARC) Chairman from the far-flung barangay of Villadima, Libmanan, Camarines Sur. He works with the DAR personnel, the barangay captain and other local officials, and the farmer-beneficiaries in the field. The results are not only commendable but also worth emulating. Not less than 300 hectares are expected to be distributed to more than 150 farmer-beneficiaries soon. It only proved that big things may happen with the concerted participation of the stakeholders especially with the helping hands of the farmers paralegal volunteers.

MARO Felina Manjares specifically informed Usec Joe Grageda during the Cam Sur A Provincial Planning Workshop held on December 13-14, 2012 at Naga City that without the intervention and assistance of paralegal volunteer Lito Bignotea, it would not be possible for DAR personnel to come up with the substantial LAD accomplishment in Libmanan within a short period.

We hope that by training and empowering more farmers as paralegal volunteers, they will be able to effect changes, accelerate land acquisition & distribution, and secure the development in the communities where they are based.

by Jose D. Co

HAPPEN

DREAM TEAM. Libmanan team with paralegal Lito Bignotea

The LAD Funnel

Monitoring System(with Simulation Approach)by Gerardo C. Buensalida

Monitoring is an integral and important part of a management information system. Managers of an organization,

like DAR, require information to keep track of its programs and to guide its course of actions. Information is a critical resource in the operation and management of an organization. Timely availability of relevant information is vital for effective performance of managerial functions such as planning, organizing, leading, and control. Thus, Manuel Nebreja, a civil engineer and currently OIC-Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer in Naga City has developed some type of monitoring and evaluation tool called “LAD Funnel M & E System”. The term “funnel” is used because most often, the number of data entering the model is larger than the number of accomplishments kept in the accomplishment bin.

The LAD Funnel will generally provide relevant information to DAR managers on the overall standing of Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) activities in the municipal and provincial levels, and guide them identify problems calling for action, outlines alternative

solutions, and forecast possible outcomes for each landholding.

The LAD Funnel is specifically designed to visualize the progress of Claim Folders (CFs) as they progress from the initial stage (Workable Balance Bay) through the final phase (Accomplishment Bin). By manually plotting the survey status and milestone codes from the LAD CARPER Database, the LAD Funnel automatically filters the data entering the system and keeps track of the present actual CF status particularly Survey status as they pass (descending) through its various stages, and provides the user with options to view the different situations and movement of each landholding.

It has several components or storage bins such as Workable Balance Bay, Deducted Bin, Deductible Bin, Problematic Bin, Funnel and Accomplishment Bin. The funnel has two categories, the Left Side category contains the VOS, OLT, GFI, LE, SE, VLT landholdings, and Right Side category containsthe CA landholdings.

Engr. Nebreja suggests that a user should undergo training and lecturing to familiarize with the system and method of this innovative LAD monitoring tool.

Below is an illustration of the LAD Funnel.

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LAD FUNNEL : CAMARINES SUR - B

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 14 14 1 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Code FOR LAD-CARPER BALANCE : 31371.0951As of April 30, 2013

99 98 Yes 453 235 70.1 157 186 28.2 55.5 69.9 30.1 950.7 0 631.4 0 0 530.3 0 856.13 33 143 4.54 0 129 184 4.98 303 3000.2 = 8055.3663

1 143 0 0 30 38 0 9 17 24 179 0 238 0 0 110 0 344 0 47 0 0 7 10 0 10 1526 1 2731.6306

2 143 61 0 31 38 0 0 17 0 72 0 173 0 0 42 0 39 33 15 0 0 21 46 0 133 1314 2 2179.4534

3 0 15 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 19 3 82.1228

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0.6705

5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

5.a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 22 34 5.a 104.9845

5.b 0 21 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 2 0 0 1 0 11 0 0 0 0 15 77 0 26 0 5.b 168.0933

5.c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.c 0

6 85 91 70 39 15 0 10 6 0 0 0 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 5 106 3 6497.25

Serve NOC/Acceptance Letter personally or substituted service (one for each co-owner)

Request Other PAROs/BLAD to serve NOC/Acceptance Letter or publish NOC/Acceptance Letter

Post NOC in 3 conspicuous placesConduct Preliminary survey activities (list of LHs for survey, prepare modules/conduct bidding; assign modules to Admin Survey Teams)

CA WBMILESTONE

Research/Gather Documents

Conduct Pre-OCI

Project Landholding on LC Map

Review and accept/reject VOS (skip for other land types)

Issue NOC (CA)/Acceptance Letter (VOS)

VOS, OLT, GFI, LEDed

ucte

d

Ded

uctib

le

Prob

lem

atic

Code

FL

OW

6 85 91 70 39 15 0 10 6 0 0 0 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 5 106 3 6

7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0

7.a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.a 0.64

7.b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.b 0

7.c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 7.c 33.3114

7.d 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.d 0

7.e 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.e 0

7.f 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.f 0

7.g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.g 0

7.h 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.h 0

7.i 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.i 0

7.j 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.j 12.1398

8 20 0 0 7 77 0 0 0 0 4 0 9 0 0 2 0 66 0 0 0 0 46 0 0 0 1 8 231.3244

9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0

10 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 20.6558

11 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 224 0 39 0 0 36 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 11 471.0322

12 45 12 0 37 10 28 15 2 0 211 0 59 0 0 155 0 38 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 22 12 674.6364

13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 13 13.8603

14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 11.1274

15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0

15.a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 81 0 4 0 0 8 0 97 0 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15.a 230.6569

15.b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15.b 2.5016

15.c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 45 0 0 14 0 21 0 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15.c 124.2608

Prepare survey returns & PLUM (for multi-crops)

Review and submit Survey Plan to LMS for IVAS

Complete the CF and transmit to DARPO

Prepare for conduct of FI (arrange schedule & serve notices)

Conduct Joint DAR-LBP Field Investigation

Transmission to LBP

Conduct DAR-LBP Pre-Processing & submit CF to LBP

Returned to PARO

AOC for Valuation (VOS and CA)/DARRO for VLT Approval

Receive ASP and transmit copies to offices concerned.

Conduct screening of potential ARBs

Prepare Masterlist of ARBs

Obtain BARC Certification and PARO's approval of Masterlist

Post Masterlist of ARBs

Serve copies of BARC-certified Masterlist

Conduct compulsory arbitration in case of protest/petition

Post Amended Masterlist

Prepare APFU and arrange/accompany ARBs in oath-taking before a city/municipal judge

Conduct survey field work

assign modules to Admin Survey Teams)

Conduct ARB ID, Screening and Selection

Conduct Info Dissemination

Prepare & Post Preliminary List of ARBs

2188

.948

6

5575

.99

8815

.422

3

15.d 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15.d 7.3042

16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 51 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 55.2052

17 0 12 0 0 0 0 11 10 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 69.8889

18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0

19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 190

20 18 20 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 105 0 29 0 0 61 0 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41 20 332.6159

21 44 76 34 107 128 11 55 137 0 1357 3 4002 32 0 309 3 227 17 41 0 0 7 26 0 7 111 21 6735.3679

22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 0

= TOTAL EP/CLOA REGISTEREDRegion V

Province: CAMARINES SUR - B

HO Valuation

Receive MOV, serve copy to LO and post Notice on NLVA

Receive COD, transmit to ROD and request for RP Title

Prepare Land Distribution Folder

Generate EP/CLOA and have it signed & sealed

Register EP/CLOA

Distribute LBP-certified photocopy of EP/CLOA to ARB

6735.3679

Take physical possession of the land and serve notice to ARBs of individual allocation of lots

The Author: Engr.Manuel A. Nebreja

Making things

Fields Magazine 15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_municipality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camarines_Sur_province

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines

Background/Evolution of CADRays

CADRays starts from simple to high end programmable calculators to Lotus 123 and Excel Application. While still studying in college and working with a private engineering firm, Richard already had the knack in programming. With Casio FX 602, 603, 4500, and 7400G Plus Power Graphic, he was able to develop survey applications on subdivision, traverse, settings, etc., which helped him do his school assignments while making his work tasks easier.

In 1998, he was hired as a Job Order (JO) employee by DAR Camarines Sur assigned at the Survey Section. Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Z. Grageda who was then the PARO of Camarines Sur, provided the Survey Section with a licensed version R14 of AutoCAD before he left his post in the province in 1999. Geodetic & Civil Engr. Marlon de la Cruz, another JO, was in charge of the AutoCAD and helped Richard learn how to use it. With diligence and creativity, Richard eventually designed a simple application that fast-tracked the preparation of Sketch Plans, Land Use Maps, Survey Returns and its Analysis on the Personal Computer or PC.

Richard dreamed of buying a licensed AutoCAD for himself so he can further develop application softwares on his spare time at home. But he realized that the price is too steep and it was beyond his means. In August 2000, he passed the Geodetic Engineering Board Exam and continued working as JO until 2003, for

it was only in 2004 when he was appointed permanently as Clerk III in the DAR.

In 2004, Richard attended the Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (GEPI) Bicol Regional convention where he learned about the CADian™ CAD software imported from South Korea. Its features were presented in the said occasion by GE Juan Vito Genson whose Genson Enterprises or GENT was designated as its sole distributor in the Philippines. Richard learned that CADian™ CAD software is a powerful application for engineers, architects, designers, and drafters. CADian has set the standard for affordable CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting) software that offers full DWG (a drawing extension file) compatibility and a familiar easy-to-use command set. Since Richard has used AutoCAD, he believed he can easily learn how to use CADian in no time. Upon inquiry, Richard also learned that the price tag of the said software was Php13,000 at that time.

In 2007, Richard married and started raising a family. He knew that his meager salary as a lowly government employee would not suffice. This compelled him to work harder to find ways to improve his lot in order to provide a better future for his family. He planned to develop a program that will consolidate his past efforts that helped him in his job at the Survey Section, while dreaming of establishing a small business of his own someday. He realized that he needed the CADian to power his envisioned software.

In November 2009, through the help of Engr. Alex Genio, the GEPI Bicol Regional president, Richard was given a complimentary

CADian software by Engr. Genson of GENT. Immediately, he started working on it and he discovered that CADian’s native file format is DWG, so when he opened an existing Autodesk AutoCAD file (R11 to R2011) there was no file conversion and no data loss. CADian also provides a high degree of compatibility with the AutoCAD command set, as well as the AutoLISP and SDS or Solutions Development System. That means he can get to work immediately using the AutoCAD files, commands and applications.

Richard meticulously studied and put long hours in his endeavor just to be able to develop the Computer-Aided Drafting or CADRays software. In doing so, he spent precious time away from his wife Gen and two growing kids. He would occasionally wake up at two o’clock in the morning since he cannot do it during office hours. What further prodded him to pursue his dream amidst the difficulties was his desire to make a difference in his own field and help the DAR Survey deliver its tasks through cutting edge technology.

Finally, in November 2010, he presented the CADRays during the GEPI South Luzon Area conference at the Avenue Square, Naga City where he discussed its features and what it can do for his colleagues and fellow geodetic engineers. Richard was very happy that not only was he able to get their attention, but he also got several inquiries.

In July 3, 2011, Richard was asked to present CADRays at the DAR Central office to BLAD, FOO, FMAO officials. The other presentor was Mechanical Engineering Graduate Samuel Alicante with his NMAX software

CADRaysCOMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING BY JOSE D. CO

Geodetic Engineer Richard A.

Rayos of DAR Cam Sur A Survey

Section pioneered and authored the

software Computer-Aided Drafting

or CADRays which is powered by

CADian™ CAD software with the

support of Digital Classification

Map (LCMap). At present, the

computer program is exclusively

used in Camarines Sur and helps in

making initial projection, fast tracks

the classification of landholdings,

and determines whether they are

Alienable and Disposable (A & D) or

timberlands.

“

using the AutoCAD. Eventually, DARCO decided to purchase 13 units of AutoCADs and NMAX softwares (amounting to Php4.4 million) for distribution to regions nationwide. DAR Camarines Sur A, according to Richard, was the first one to get the AutoCAD on January 3, 2013, excluding the NMAX since its Survey Section is already using CADRays. Richard conceded that at the time of his presentation, he was still developing further his CADRays that is why it did not include yet the narrative technical description or NTD as one of its features. He also accepted the fact that Mr. Alicante was more eloquent than him. His consolation though was that DAR Camarines Sur eventually bought thee (3) units of CADian software with CADRays amounting to Php90,000 or Php30,000 a piece.

How does CADRays help land surveys and

accomplish other LAD activities?

The CADRays powered by CADian is so versatile that it can accomplish the following myriad functions: Cadastral Processing, Comprehensive Land Use Planning, eTD or electronic Technical Description on PHILARES of the Land Registration Authority (LRA), geodetic labeling & plotting, Land Information System (LIS) gathering, mapping, plotting & analysis, polygon closure analysis, subdivision & scheming, and Survey Returns, etc. With the myriad and variety of tasks that can be accomplished, it will definitely save DAR not only of money but also of time. It also enhances the capability of the DAR personnel while maximizing manpower and its technical capability.

What is in store for the future and how can CADRays be improved further?

Richard has pointed out what are in store for CADRays powered by CADian software as he continues to improve and look for many other applications and other inherent innovations that help facilitate the Land Acquisition & Distribution (LAD) functions of DAR in the field level. Among them are:

CADRays will facilitate researches digitally on Approved Survey Plans (ASPs), and Cadastral maps in order to determine the Cadastral Map Number for all the lots per

landholding. At present the tedious process is to manually browse into the files, survey plans, cadastral maps, and other documents being kept and filed in the DAR’s repository and other places. It is not only tedious but it also takes a great number of man-hours and patience in sorting, studying, and discerning the dusty documents. The storage of said documents right now proved to be insecure as it is vulnerable to fire, typhoon, flood, and theft. The loss of which is irreparable and will cause further delay and more difficulty in the implementation of the CARPER.

The process is to have all available survey plans, maps, ASPs, etc., scanned. It is for this reason that DAR 5 Regional Director Ma. Celestina Tam and PARO Rod Realubit of Camarines Sur A promptly provided a large format scanner for this purpose. The scanned output will be uploaded to the computer and processed by CADRays and CADian softwares.

Since 2011, the CADRays is accredited and electronically linked to PHILARES system of the Land Registration Authority (LRA). CADRays now has the capacity to generate a landholding’s electronic narrative technical descriptions (eTDs) which are accepted by the LRA, thus, facilitate land titling. This is because CADRays’ XML file output can be read by the PHILARES system.

It must be noted that the manual encoding of the narrative technical description is not only tedious and time-consuming but also prone to errors. In a test-run made by Richard involving 800 lots, CADRays was able to generate the electronic NTDs within 20 minutes!

Through the GIS or Geographical Information System, the CARPER database can be linked to the Digital Map which is linked to the Land Classification (LC) maps provided by the DAR Central office for the province of Camarines Sur. Cadastral maps will be plotted in the Digital Map sinceCADRays has the capacity to handle huge map information similar to the Swede Survey which is no longer functional.

This initiative will definitely facilitate in the projection of specific

landholdings specifically for untitled land, or titled lands covered by CARPER the respective land titles of which were not yet secured by the concerned DAR field personnel.

Richard revealed that other AutoCAD based softwares cannot get post-sale service from the supplier and software developer once it breaks down. This was experienced by DAR Regional office as relayed to him by the CARPO for Operations. Furthermore, the other AutoCAD based softwares cannot be transferred to another computer as you have to buy a new one if you want it installed in the

new unit. On the other hand, all you need is to submit an affidavit to CADian distributor or main office and make a request that you need to transfer the CADian software

into another computer. CADian manufacturer then will send for free a new authorization code in order to run the software. This facilitates easy maintenance and after-sale services.

Richard also reiterated that CADRays is being continuously updated and improved based on new inputs, experiences encountered, and felt need by the DAR personnel at the Survey Section in particular and the Operations Division in general, and as a direct and prompt response to the demands of DAR’s mandate to acquire and distribute lands.

Bill Gates said, “Software is a great combination of artistry and engineering. When you finally get done and get to appreciate what you have done it is like a part of yourself that you’ve put together. I think a lot of the people here feel that way.” Richard said he thinks the DAR management and its IT people should also feel and act similarly. •

Engr Rayos while scanning maps of landholdings at the large format scanner which will be uploaded to the computer and processed by the CADRays as database for easy retrieval.

CADRays will facilitate researches digitally on Approved Survey Plans (ASPs), and Cadastral maps in order to determine the Cadastral Map Number for all the lots per landholding. ”


Epifania Garcia Bibincahan, Sorsogon City

Most Oustanding ARB, 2007

Former MARO

BARC Chairperson

ARB turned Vice-Mayor DARMO, ARPT/DF

DARMO, ARPT/DF

Most Outstanding ARB2009 Gawad Saka Provincial Outstanding HVCC Farmer

“I am very grateful for all the

projects that have been poured in

our area. Likewise, for all the skills

I gained because of the trainings

provided to me by DAR. Now, I am

able to share all of these blessings

to other farmers as well.”

“Our family owned an almost forty hectares of agricultural land in

Donsol. Since I knew that our landholdings ought to be covered by

agrarian reform, I explained to my mother that we had to offer it to

the DAR. However, rebel groups had learned about it. They seemed

not to accept the idea of land reform. When the schedule for survey

came, we were held captive at the house of the BARC Chairperson

for some hours. We were thinking of our family but we can’t go home. It was the longest night. We can’t

sleep because of fear. How could you sleep when your mind is troubled and the muzzles of their guns are

pointed in our heads? What if it accidentally fired? On my side were two amazonas.”

It’s great working for the Program. As PARCCOM Chairperson of

Catanduanes since 1996, it has been an honor for me to engage with

the challenges that come in the course of time in implementing CARP

insofar as PARCCOM is concerned. When I was appointed in 1996, I

must admit, I was met with reservations on the role I have to take

therein. I was consoled though with the sympathetic encouragement of the late Tony Delluza who was then

the CARPO of BDCD. The rest is history when today I look back with pride on how we were able to sink into

the real world of social justice through CARP and the PARCCOM.

“When my family received the Certificate of Landownership Award (CLOA) from DAR during its 10th year CARP Anniversary Celebration June 1998, it gave us more reasons in Curvada ARC. The CLOA covers a 1.8 hectare agricultural land formerly owned by the Eusebio State. The once cogonal lot is now planted with banana, jack fruit, mango, and coconut trees aside from the root crops that abound in the area.”

“In my 17 long years in DAR, I’ve had the pleasure of working with various stakeholders, majority of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries. In the call of duty as DF, I can still vividly remember one inconceivable experience I had early this year where I was figured in a road accident that almost threatened my life and the life of an innocent pedestrian. However everything was settled immediately and things turned out well because of my extremely helpful DAR family.The incident made me realize more that working in the DAR is indeed self-sacrificing. Despite the odds

however, it never crosses my mind to falter and waive my duties as development facilitator for agrarian reform communities."

“Agrarian reform really works. I can never think of any other government program as noble and as people-oriented as with this because it helps the poor farmers, which comprises a big portion of the country’s population.”

“My dream of a better life for my

family started when DAR awarded

me the title for the piece of land we

tilled for may years. My being an

outstanding ARB was a result of my

desire to show my appreciation to the

people of DAR.”

Through the years, working in the field as ARPT, has been so tough - life threatening at times and rewarding sometimes. Exposure to risks such as dog and snake bites, harassment from both the landowners and disgruntled farmers are things which I consider part of my job. Despite the challenges, I still find my work gratifying and fulfilling. The ARB-farmers whose lives have changed positively because of the lands awarded to them through CARP program serve as my trophies to work harder with commitment and dedication.

“Despite all of these, living a simple life is still important for us. But of course my family is thankful to have experienced the comforts in life after years of sacrifices. We’re lucky to have been awarded land and assisted by the government through its Agrarian Reform Program.”

My friend. a DAR engineer, who’s in charge of survey section, would always say with

gusto, “I love DAR,” which, I would return with a jest, “Amen, amen.” Both of us would

heartily belt out later a loud and crisp laughter.

Nope, we’re not in for a joke. Just a heck of saying, we’re just too happy at DAR. Then

we’d get more bits of giggles, smiles and soon, laughter again. That makes us more upbeat

when, shall we say, the stressors are soaring high. Well, that’s a fine way to beat THEM.

Then back to work again, with a two thumbs up of my friend, as if to re-assure me once again

of his branded words, “I LOVE DAR.”

This is the other side of a story, or maybe your story too, or sort of other stories out

there way back then and now. Everyday.

Sometimes that paints the backdrop with checkered hues, peppered with varying tales

of drama, struggles, dreams, and maybe just plain craziness on the side. In an imperfect world,

we can’t always get the whole side of a coin. We’re doomed to cross from either side at certain

times and intervals that often we’re not in control of.

These are stories of pains, and gains. This may be my story. This may be your story,

too.

That’s where we paint CARP canvass with checkered hues, with lights and shadows.

The mixed recipe of experiences that we savor in years, are built just like that. That’s destiny

and fate. We can’t say stop when the going gets tough. We can only enjoy the ride or jump

by Eduardo S. Villar

Talesin “I was thrilled to till another

2.5 hectares. It was my

biggest break. As I held

the Certificate of Land

Ownership Award, I caught

a glimpse of a fruitful

harvest”

overboard. Or just be plain naïve with it. Whatever, whenever.

At the end of the road, we can only account on how we’ve become through those

pains and gains, or how we’ve responded maybe. The result? Life itself.

Or, taken in that context, that’s DAR-life. My story. Your story, too.

As “CARP-apostles” in interest, we’re workers and missionaries at the same time

going by the tenets of social justice mission that’s more of taking the hard-line, often unpopular

trek.

Through the decades-old journey, we may have gained both a parable of Sense and

Non-Sense. To which side we belong sometimes is just a matter of choice, or may be-- just

maybe, we love to travel at either side, back and forth. That’s life. But then again, what makes

life more meaningful is when we drop the worn-out hues altogether, and try emboldening the

shadows with a mix of newer hues. Rise in every fall, my friend. That’s the gain after the pain.

The same stroke of fate and life with the DAR rests with our clients. They are our

program beneficiaries (FBs, landowners, or whoever CARP meets its ends).

We may be surprised at how the program continues to touch lives here and there.

Albeit, gainful tales from the waysides where CARP matters continue to inspire us through

our various ups and downs in program implementation. Stories that make us say, “I love DAR.”

And so, it’s worth a note, taking some inspiring thoughts, tales of checkered hues from them

who are our backbones, the plot where our own DAR stories were hemmed.

checkered HUES

Manuel A. MagistradoVirac, Catanduanes

PARCCOM Chairman

Visitacion Racho Libon, Albay

Adolfo Galvez Asid, Masbate City

Marianita Suson Cataingan, Masbate

TOBIAS Q. ARANASta. Elena, Camarines Norte

Domingo Sazon, Jr Libon, Albay

MA. ELDA N. SERRANILLA Daet & Talisay, Camarines Norte

Amado M. Masarate Casiguran, Sorsogon

Myrna DimanarigCamarines Sur


“I can no longer think of any reason why we can’t improve the living condition of our farmer beneficiaries, with the various assistance that have been coming in for them”, Regional Director Maria Celestina Manlagñit-Tam enthused as she expresses gladness in taking note of the present and upcoming interventions under the Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) component of CARP.

RD Tam has every reason to be in high spirits with the development occurring as far as the welfare of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) is concerned.

For one, the Second Agrarian Reform Communities Development Projects (ARCP II) implementation in the region is doing very well as its funding could make it to a whopping one (1) billion pesos worth. The Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) had already passed the crucial stages, and been gaining momentum after turning over various common services facilities (CSFs) or farm machineries to agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) regionwide.

For 2013, the national government has allocated one (1) billion pesos for crop insurance equity of the ARBs nationwide. Another one (1) billion-peso funding was likewise earmarked under the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP).

Agrarian Reform Infrastructures Support Projects (ARISP III) in the region still has many subprojects being implemented in the ARCs. Rural infra projects being financed under the agrarian reform fund (ARF) are also continuing.

All these interventions are geared towards increasing the income of the ARBs being one of the major goals under CARPer, as further stressed by Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes when he took over the headship of DAR a couple of years back.

A Booming ARCP II A total of one hundred forty two (142) subprojects, amounting to almost half a billion pesos have already been approved for implementation

under ARCP II in Bicol, practically making said region the most efficient nationwide in terms of enticing the target local government units (LGUs) to fully take part in the implementation of rural infrastructures. Another half a billion persos worth of subprojects, likewise, is expected to get the nod of the National Subprojects Approval Committee (NSAC) soon.

ARCP II Deputy National Project Director Herman Ongkiko acknowledged that Region V has so far been the most ‘time efficient’ in matters of fund disbursements, which is necessary to expedite construction of approved subprojects. Ongkiko lauded DAR Bicol for its performance and said he believes it has set the momentum that need to be emulated by other regions, in order to bring the benefits of the subprojects to the end users as fast as possible.

ARCP II, which implementation is expected to be completed by 2014, is funded mainly thru loan assistance by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the support of the national government. It covers the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.The approved 142 subprojects range from farmer-to-market-roads, multi-purpose buildings and post harvest facilities to social infrastructures such as school buildings, health centers, day care centers and level II potable water system. Irrigation systems will likewise be one of the subprojects to be implemented as ARCP II progresses.

Support services ease life for Bicolano ARBs

Eight (8) subprojects in Cam. Norte are already completed, with additional five (5) in Cam. Sur and two (2) in Sorsogon. Five (5) of these were already turned over to the recipient ARCs. In the pipeline are 55 subprojects more. Fifteen (15) of which are in Cam. Norte, 29 in Cam. Sur and 11 in Sorsogon.

Breakdown of the 142 subprojects per province: Cam. Norte - 47 subprojects spread in the towns of Labo, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Basud, and Jose Panganiban; Cam. Sur - 80 subprojects in the municipalities of Sipocot, Del Gallego, Libmanan, Milaor, Ocampo, Garchitorena, Tigaon, Buhi, Baao, Bula and Pili; and Sorsogon – 15 subprojects for Castilla, Matnog, Irosin, Juban, Casiguran and Bulan towns.

The noteworthy performance in ARCP II implementation in Bicol can be attributed to two major factors. One of which is the provision of support fund thru the National Government Assistance for Local Government Units or NGALGU, which covers 25 percent of the LGUs’ equity for every subproject. NGALGU basically resolved the LGUs’ problem on fund scarcity.

And the other one is the close coordination that has been occurring between and among all the stakeholders especially, DAR and the concerned LGUs. The efforts being untiringly exerted by the regional and provincial project management are finally reaping its reward. ARCP II’s allocation, in all probability, can zoom up one (1) billion pesos. RD Tam cited the key role being played here by the regional subprojects approval committee (RSAC).

More rural infra from ARISP III and Tulay ng Pangulo

Five (5) more road subprojects under the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) - funded ARISP III are already completed in the region. One (1) in Albay, three (3) in Camarines Norte and one (1) in Catanduanes. These are included in the 34 subprojects scheduled for implementation under ARISP III, which sites are found in eight (8) ARCs located in 10 municipalities in the covered provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Masbate. Subprojects in ARISP III include farm-to-market-roads (FMR), potable water supply, irrigation system and post harvest facilities. Implementation of these subprojects is on-going.

Meanwhile, five (5) bridges measuring a total of 132 meters are likewise completed under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Agraryo. Two (2) of which are located in Pamplona and the two (2) others are in Pasacao, both in Camarines Sur and one (1) in Labo, Camarines Norte.

Tulay ng Pangulo, which is a project being implemented in cooperation with DPWH, has 24 bridge projects in the region with the total of 658.8 meters in length. Breakdown of which per province is as follows: Albay - four (4); Camarines Norte – four (4); Camarines Sur – nine (9); Sorsogon – five (5) and Masbate – two (2).

Funding Source No. of ProjectsCompleted

No. of ARCs Involved

No. of Ongoing Subprojects/ For Implementation

No. of ARCs Involved

ARCDP-WB Phase I 38 9 Project Finished

ARCDP-WB Phase II 41 16 Project Finished

ARISP-JBIC Phase I 10 2 Project Finished

ARISP-JBIC Phase II 28 8 Project Finished

ARSP-EU 65 17 Project Finished

ARCP-ADB 8 4 Project Finished

SPOTS-SPAIN Phase II 54 3 Project Finished

ARISP-SICA Phase III 5 4 29 7

Tulay ng Pangulo 5 5 19 19

ARCP-ADB II 15 6 127 24

by Reuben R. Loria

ARCDP - Agrarian Reform Communities Development ProjectsWB - World BankARISP - Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support ProjectsJBIC - Japan Bank for International CooperationARSP - Agrarian Reform Support Projects

EU - European UnionARCP - Agrarian Reform Communities ProjectsADB - Asian Development BankSPOTS - Solar Power Technology SupportJICA - Japan International Cooperation Agency

Status of rural infrastructure projects implementation.

20 Fields Magazine

facilities; bio-gas digester septic tanks and rain-water collector.

At least 16 municipalities in Albay, Cam. Norte, Cam. Sur and Masbate have CPWASH projects already. Found in there are the following: iron removal filters – 20; bio-sand filters – 70; rain water collector – 9 and bio-gas digester – 22. These facilities are already benefiting more than 140 households. Several CPWASH projects more are scheduled for installation in Mercedes, Cam. Norte and Garchitorena in Cam. Sur.

More than 120 individuals had already been trained on CPWASH development and installation. They will take charge of the livelihood enterprise component of the project that will be centered on setting up low-cost, culturally acceptable and appropriate water sanitation technologies that can be managed and sustained by the community.

DAR has found instant partners in propagating CPWASH projects in the local government officials of Ligao City, Mercedes and Canaman towns in the provinces of Albay, Cam. Norte and Cam. Sur, respectively. Said officials were so impressed with the project that they committed to allocate funding for its replication in barangays in their respective areas that need to be provided with potable water supply.

Meanwhile, a diverse group of farmers or para-engineers from San Francisco Fundado Linaga Canaman Irrigators Association (SFFLCIA) have developed brilliant innovations in perfecting some features in the design of CPWASH project, specifically its iron filter and biogas facilities.

CPWASH, a DAR-funded project, is being implemented thru partnership with Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation (PCWS) and the LGUs.

CARP funded projectsAt least 758 million worth of farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems and other rural infrastructure projects

have been implemented in different ARCs regionwide, in coordination with DPWH and NIA.

ARCCESS means business 'ARCCESS…success!' This is the catchphrase of the farmer beneficiaries whose organizations have been

chosen to be recipients of CSFs provided under the ARCCESS program. Last March, the recipient ARBOs already received the farm machineries as they look forward to an increased farm production.

Generally, ARCCESS aims to improve the net income of ARBs by providing strategic subsidies in form of professional business development services and revenue-generating farm machineries to ARBOs that are organizationally-mature and ready to undertake agri-enterprises.

ARCCESS propels the ARBs to engage in consolidated farming utilizing CSFs, an approach that entails lesser cost of production, but of bigger volume of output.

At least 60 units of various farm machineries, with the total cost of 17 million have already been turned over to 15 ARBOs, which include such equipments as 90 HP 4WD tractors with implements, combined harvesters-thresher, hand tractors with implements, corn shellers, threshers, reapers, water pumps, fiber dryers, mechanical transplanters and power tillers. These CSFs will be utilized for the production of crops and products such as rice, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, pineapple, abaca and coco coir.

More CSFs will be coming in as ARCCESS is designed to benefit more ARBOs and cover more areas potential for block farming in order to establish a hub that will showcase the impact of the project.

DAR V ARCCESS coordinators are now having their hands full in the bidding processes and negotiations with the institutions that will handle the Agri-Extension Services (AES) under the business development component of the program. The trainings for the ARBOs on how to operate and maintain the serviceability of the farm machineries were already completed.

The Agricultural Insurance Program (AIP) & Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP)

More financial assistance have been coming in for the ARBs as of this date. For this year, the national government has set aside 1 billion pesos allocation for crop insurance under the agricultural insurance program (AIP) that will be jointly implemented by DAR and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

The AIP aims to enhance agricultural productivity of ARBs, mitigate agricultural losses due to pests, diseases and natural calamities, and improve access to credit. This insurance assistance covers rice and corn, high-value crops, and livestock production. It generally covers the total premium requirements of ARBs covered by ARCCESS, borrowers in APCP and other farmer beneficiaries.

Trainings for ARBOs as underwriters are underway. RD Tam said that there is a need for the immediate completion of the needed requirements in order to set the program in motion in time for the start of the upcoming cropping season.

APCP on the other hand is intended to provide loans for the ARBs who were not given the chance to access credit from other lending institutions.

APCP aims to provide credit assistance to ARBs in order ensure sustainable production of crops and increase their income. Priority recipients will be ARBs who are settled in high LAD areas.

The CPWASH One of the basic social services being provided by the Department to the ARBs is potable water system.

Under this, DAR had introduced the community-managed potable water supply sanitation and hygiene or CPWASH projects. CPWASH aims to enhance ARB household’s access to safe drinking water and set up appropriate system for this by improving the water supply sanitation.

CPWASH has four water sanitation techniques - the iron removal filter and bio-sand filter as water treatment

ARCs as centers of development

It can be noticed that interventions, basically, are being implemented in areas that are already receiving prior assistance, which are the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). The manner is being done deliberately. The DAR management maintains that the ARCs are still and must be the growth centers for farmers. RD Tam herself believes that interventions must not be implemented too thinly. That it must be poured in to areas where development programs already exist in order to bring in substantial impact on the lives of the ARBs.

As centers of development, ARCs’ positive economic effects on the neighboring areas are expected to come next.

Bicol Region has already a total of 155 ARCs spread in 101 municipalities, and covers 661 barangays.

I N D I C A T O R ALBAY CAM. NORTE CAM. SUR A CAM. SUR B CAT'NES MASBATE SORSOGON TOTAL

No. of ARCs 29 15 21 19 20 22 29 155

No. of Municipality 18 10 16 16 11 16 15 102

No. of Barangays 176 51 73 83 106 53 122 664

LAD Scope (Working) 30,517 14,556 19,882 25,150 8,262 25,979 17,749 142,095

Area Distributed 24,222 13,941 15,866 21,215 8,215 21,066 14,279 118,804

% Accomplishment 79.37% 95.78% 79.80% 84.35% 99.43% 81.09% 80.45% 83.61%

No. of ARBs 16,197 6,234 11,360 10,523 6,009 9,238 8,768 68,329

Leasehold Scope 2,889 373 2,932 933 4401 942 4,806 17,276

Contract Executed (Ha.) 1,779 338 927 748 3380 766 4,523 12,461

No. of ARBs 1,121 159 1,181 633 1,291 - 3,676 8,061

Total No. of ARBs (LAD & Leasehold) 17,318 6,393 12,541 11,156 7,300 9,238 12,444 76,390

No. of Organizations in ARCs 67 27 27 34 36 41 42 274

Total Members 10,063 1,967 5,032 3,664 3,405 5,835 4,204 34,170

Total ARBs in Organization 6,412 1,282 3,466 2,396 2,511 2,910 2,338 21,315

Total Capital Build-up (CBU) 5,685,436 1,063,561 7,556,842 8,236,367 599,592 6,533,372 3,426,895 33,102,065

Savings Mobilization 8,051,359 183,574 2,026,058 1,554,993 49,714 1,975,425 954,927 14,760,049

ARC UPDATES As of March 31, 2013

90 HP 4WD Tractor

Thresher

Combined harvester

Corn Shellers

CPWASH Project Turnover at Paulba, Ligao City with Albay PARO Miles Britanico, City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez, RD Waying M. Tam, and BDCD Chief Luna Ante. Below are the CPWASH facilities.


Why do projects succeed? Is it because of the people? Process? Structure? Definitely, the list of criteria for one undertaking to succeed is long, and success does not happen overnight.

In the agrarian reform scenario, the Department strategizes to lift the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) out of poverty, and transform them into drivers of rural economic growth. This is possibly done by providing support services to the ARBs under the Program Beneficiaries Development component. Different interventions like sound projects, both locally and foreign-funded, are being implemented with the aim of easing the ARBs’ lives.

The execution of different projects entails rigorous process. So it takes tenacious people at the fore to make it possible. This picture is evident in DAR Bicol. Collaborative efforts are demonstrated and participants agree to work together to achieve a common purpose. Sharing of risks, responsibilities, resources, competencies and benefits is a common setting to complete a certain project.

One project that DAR Bicol is proud to have gained positive

feedbacks is the ARCP II implementation. It has proven its worth in terms of enticing the local government units (LGUs) to fully take part in the implementation of rural infrastructures, and it has so far been the most “time efficient” region in matters of fund disbursements necessary to

expedite construction of approved subprojects as confirmed by ARCP II Deputy National Director Herman Ongkiko to the DAR Bicol under the stewardship of regional director Maria

Celestina Manlagñit-Tam, during the Workshop on Strategic Measures at Villa Caceres Hotel in Naga City, February 2013.

The momentum of ARCP II Implementation in Bicol Region was also attributed to two major factors. One of which is the provision of support fund thru the National Government Assistance for LGUs or NGALGU which covers 25 percent of the LGU’s equity for every subproject. NGALGU basically resolved the LGU’s problem on fund scarcity. And the other is the close coordination that occurs between and among all the stakeholders, especially DAR and concerned LGUs, which plays the key role in making the project succeed.

Partnerships…transforming the dream into reality

The province of Camarines Norte is the first in the country to signify and push

for a policy consideration on the provision of equity for sub-projects by the Provincial Local Government Units. This inimitable scheme is the first of its kind in the history of ARCP II implementation nationwide as confirmed by then NPCO Project Manager Director Homer P. Tobias in a conference held in Daet, Camarines Norte February of 2012. For a very long time, unlike in other five provinces in Bicol, Foreign-Assisted Projects (FAPs) in Camarines Norte have been very elusive until the advent of the Second Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP II). Launched in November 2009, ARCP II covers the five municipalities of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Basud, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, and Labo.

However, the road to the realization of ARCP II implementation in Camarines Norte was not as effortless as it were implemented in other provinces. Two years after it was launched, the Agrarian Reform Communities Project II faces the risk of cancellation because of the difficulties encountered in Rural Infrastructure (RI) development. The RI component which accounts for 77% of the total project cost has been burdened with the inability of the LGUs to provide with the required equity contribution

for the construction of and rehabilitation of farm to market roads, bridges, irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities, potable water systems, and other social infrastructure. The pre-termination was primarily attributed to the limitation on equity which the local government units could not afford to provide. The provision of equity by LGUs is among the requirements of ARCP II for every rural infrastructure project to be implemented in

by Nilla P. Lagatuz

BRIDGING DEVELOPMENTPARTNERSHIPS

the agrarian reform communities. The cost sharing ratio between the national government and local government unit depends upon the classification of municipalities as defined in the Local Government Code.

Within the existing problems and hindrances, the Provincial Local Government (PLGU) of Camarines Norte through Governor Edgardo A. Tallado and the DAR Provincial Office of Camarines Norte through then PARO Rod Realubit and now with PARO Leo Gaveria, worked out an unprecedented

measure designed to ease the burden of the Municipal LGU in terms of equity provision. In emphasizing his support to the program, Gov. Tallado even paid a personal representation to the Secretary of DAR and the Office of the President to urge for the approval of the unique scheme of ARCP II implementation in Camarines Norte

The joint initiative and beneficial partnership of the local government units in Camarines Norte and the Department of

Agrarian Reform through PARO Leo Gaveria complemented the

realization of a promising project for the

agrarian reform benef iciaries

and ARC residents when the

N at i o n a l

Project Coordinating Office finally approved the PLGU’s assumption of the equity in behalf of the MLGUs who have limitations in raising funds for the purpose.

The NPCO nodded on the 64 subprojects with a total project cost of 450 million pesos for Camarines Norte. Fifty-six of the sixty-four subprojects amounting to 450 million have equity provided by the PLGU through Gov. Tallado. The MLGU o f Paracale and San Lorenzo Ruiz provided the equity for the eight social

in f rastructure s u b p r o j e c t s completed in 2012.

T h e m o m e n t u m of ARCP II implementation in Camarines Norte extends even in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Sorsogon where projects of the same foreign donor (Asian D e v e l o p m e n t

Bank) are being implemented. The strengthened partnership of the DAR through Camarines Sur A PARO Rodrigo Realubit and the Municipal Local Government Units has indeed complemented the realization of multimillion projects for the ARCs of Camarines Sur. These include the LGUs of Sipocot, Del Gallego, Libmanan, Milaor, Ocampo, Garchitorena, Tigaon, Buhi, Baao, Bula and Pili where ARCP II subprojects are all on-going at different levels. The dynamic force of the 11 municipal mayors has paved the way to the pooling of needed equity to mobilize the preliminary activities for the implementation of said subprojects in the ARCs.

Undeniably, meaningful partnerships are the foundation for success. Because of it, DAR Bicol enables to make continuous improvements. By sharing, all stakeholders involved are able to direct their resources and capabilities to the projects they consider most important, thus, they grow and expand more quickly and efficiently.

ARCProducts

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS. (L-R) Former NPCO Project Manager Director Homer P. Tobias, Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo A. Tallado, PARO II Leonito M. Gaveria, and Engr. Johnny I. Enova of the Provincial Engineers Office of Camarines Norte.

TOP GUNS. DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes (light blue shirt) and RD Waying Tam (at the back) together with the nine of the eleven municipal mayors of the ARCP II covered areas in Camarines Sur.

THROUGH

©ayzek/123RF.COM


Camarines Sur, ranked number two nationwide with huge CARP balance and with the largest distributable lands among the six Bicol provinces, is racing against time working on its main job

to complete substantially the distribution of the remaining 39,790 hectares by 2014. Since the balance consists mostly of privately-owned landholdings that are more contentious totaling to 39,213 hectares, apart from the 6,953 hectares made up of problematic landholdings including the considerable expanse of untitled properties of more than 7,164 hectares scattered in almost all municipalities, the succeeding months will surely be very tough for the Department.

Camarines Sur B Agrarian Reform Chief Ramon B. Fuentebella said, "We have very little choice but to turn the pressures on and consolidate our workforces so the province can deliver its mandated mission in due time." Fuentebella, together with Camarines Sur A Agrarian Reform Chief Rodrigo O. Realubit, in their several joint meetings are ordering their people to double their efforts. The two respected leaders have pledged to work hard hand in hand but still admitted it will be very tough.

Working in partnerships drives unity and performance

Fuentebella, like any other DAR chiefs, says distributing lands is his top priority, whose first acts when he was installed in office last year was to hold dialogue-consultations with his co-workers, assistants, partners and collaborators, which until now he continues doing this thing to see to it that everything is promptly or always put in place.

Under his watch, Camarines Sur B applied important measures to ensure the provincial office meets the target. Foremost is close coordination and consultations with the field personnel through periodic meetings and LAD validation activities in the municipal level. This is to make certain that their actions are focused and synchronized. The Operations Division has employed and put into practice a simple operational transaction system particularly in the processing of claim folders and review, such as MAROs commitments are renewed monthly and compliance are closely monitored using the installed computerized LAD Tracking System and better-quality control of Claim Folders (CFs) both at the provincial and

municipal levels is strictly observed.

The DAR provincial office has moved beyond its normal call of business to hosting of extraordinary activities or "special days" to open up conversations about finding appropriate solutions in leveling down the barriers affecting Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) processes. These special days are called NOC Day, VLT Day, Problematic Landholdings Day, etc., all directed to speed up further the LAD activities. These activities were created for all concerned personnel to come together and have facilitated discussions, and turn their ideas into solid accomplishments.

On the other hand, chief for operations Priscilla I. Imperial said, “We also created a democracy of information at the operations division. It means that people at the frontlines should at least be as well informed as those in the executive suite.” Information transparency not only results to happy employees, it’s also a key ingredient in building unity and involvement of employees in shared activities.

When it comes to planning and decision-making, the operations group always does it in close partnership with all concerned officers, field personnel, and even ordinary employees. “We also establish an open and constant communication among our people to ensure that everything flows accordingly in our division or level,” said Imperial. In addressing problems, Imperial quickly responded that open and honest communication is the key to facing challenging situations.

"Open communication has been critical in building strong partnership or cooperation, and it is clear that the 'team approach' is working very well for us, evidently seen in the improving performance results of Camarines Sur B," she added.

“Agrarian reform, especially the land distribution component will continue to suffer setbacks without the support from the outside,” Fuentebella declared. Since the process of acquiring and distributing lands is a complicated and tedious process involving no less than four agencies --- Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) --- delays in the process of documents needed for the issuance of land titles cannot be avoided because of the conflicting policies and programs.

“We continuously look closely at this matter especially at how

As pressures on the Department of Agrarian

Reform (DAR) management increase, and

the issues it faces in the implementation of

the government’s agrarian reform program

become more complex, the DAR Camarines Sur

leadership underwent a series of assessments

and consolidation of strategies purposely to

further fast-track the distribution of the vast

tracts of CARP-covered lands in the province.

DAR is also expanding the delivery of support

services in terms of productivity improvement

on these distributed lands.

Reinforcing AlliancesDAR: by Gerardo C. Buensalida

the flow of documents are moving," said Fuentebella, "If we are going to tackle the scale of challenges that we face now, it is evident that no agency or individual can do this alone.”

If people are brought together, collective empowerment can result to something extraordinary. The idea of partnership or collaborating with other governmental agencies as well as private sector groups and academic institutions was introduced. The initiative was effected on the belief that different entities, be it a government, academic or private agency, find it mutually beneficial to work in partnership to achieve common goals and priorities especially in pursuing the land distribution and support services component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The initiative, according to Fuentebella, is geared towards “harmonization” of inconsistencies that may lead to improved coordination of policies, programs, and service delivery, and, ultimately, better outcomes for each partner agency.

One notable partnership initiative took place on February 11, 2013. The DAR called for a One-Day Joint Meeting cum Problem Solving Workshop of the top management of the three CARP-implementing agencies that included Narciso G. Villareal, Manager of the Land Bank of the Philippines-Agrarian Operations Center-V (LBP-AOC V) based in Legazpi City, Provincial Treasurer Bernardo A. Prila, Provincial Assessor Felix G. Morandarte, Jr., bringing all his 32 Municipal Assessors headed by Mr. Edgar M. Bombase, President of the Camarines Sur Association of Municipal Assessors or CASAMA. The joint effort is just one of the many

ways in which DAR continues to initiate collaboration with other agencies aimed at building consensus and overcome some of the biggest barriers to the land acquisition and distribution particularly the documents preparation that is really the hardest part of the process in the land transfer program. Earlier this year, the same partnership meetings were also made with the Registry of Deeds (ROD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and also the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).

Participants focused mainly in identifying the problems to be addressed, discussed their expectations, agreed on the broad strategies, and signed in a joint agreement that set out the mutually agreed practical solutions as well as responsibilities of all parties. These partnerships, according to Fuentebella, will not only improve the provinces’ accomplishment at a certain point in time but also raise the need for more coordinated energy because single parts or

contributions of each partner in the land acquisition and distribution process had to be put together to a final output.

Facilitating community partnerships and utilizing fresh entrepreneur graduates

Support services for the farmers is a second critical component of agrarian reform. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is

committed to support farmers and their communities to ensure that lands awarded to them are put into productive use by promoting new and appropriate agricultural technologies and increasing farm, off-farm, and non-farm incomes sustained through the development of viable rural enterprises. The Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) serve as growth points where partnership and convergence of interventions between and among stakeholders may bring their resources and development efforts.

Recognizing the crucial role that women play, and will continue to play, in agriculture and rural development, DAR’s poverty alleviation programs in

PARTNERSHIP MEETING. In photo (from left) are Rev. Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, Director of the Madrigal Foundation, Inc. of Ateneo de Naga University, Business Development Division Chief Emerita P. Gomez of the Department of Trade and Industry, Provincial CARP-DTI Coordinator Keith Hidalgo, and BDCD Chief Maria Gracia R. Sales of DAR Camarines Sur B.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT. Women's group in Binanuaanan, Pili, Camarines Sur learns how to make tablea (chocolate)

The officers and members of Camarines Sur Association of Municipal Assessors (CASAMA) posed for posterity with DAR Camarines Sur B PARO Ramon B. Fuentebella, CASAMA President Edgar Bombase, Land Bank's Agrarian Operation Center Regional Manager Narciso G. Villareal, and Provincial Assessor Felix G. Morandarte, Jr. of Camarines Sur.

Continued on next page...


the ARCs increasingly stress the need to meet women’s needs. The Beneficiaries Development Coordination Division (BDCD) of Camarines Sur B recently introduced off-farm activities as alternative source of income for women farmers in selected communities. So when the BDCD group began its initiative, they knew that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Madrigal Foundation, Inc. of the Ateneo de Naga University (AdenU) would be great resources for the project. It didn’t take too long for BDCD Chief Maria Gracia R. Sales, to form a partnership between the DAR, the DTI, and the Foundation.

“From the BDCD visit in five ARCs, it was determined that women farmers in these communities wanted to break into new productive resources, and increase their incomes,” said Sales. By going through the process, meeting with DTI Provincial Director Edna S. Tejada, Business Development Division Chief Emerita P. Gomez, Provincial CARP-DTI Coordinator Keith Hidalgo, and Rev. Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, Director of the Madrigal Foundation, Inc. at AdenU, a pertnership had been forged between and among DAR, DTI, and the Ateneo’s Madrigal Foundation, Inc. The project would particularly focus on women and the improvement of their economic status by enabling them to start profitable income from off-farm livelihood activities.

The project will concentrate trainings on product packaging and labelling, up-valuing of products, and creation of new valuable food products using organically grown or indigenous goods found locally in the community such as cacao for tablea production, cacao bites, etc.

Graduates of the entrepreneurial course or the entrepreneur scholars of Madrigal Foundation, Inc. of the Ateneo de Naga University will be tapped to work as co-facilitators, provide assistance in product pricing and costing, and assist in the preparation of the operations manual, marketing plan and strategies for the project.

“The Madrigal Foundation, Inc. has a long tradition of community involvement while the DTI is a long-time partner of the DAR in providing necessary technical-management skills and business trainings to agrarian reform beneficiaries. The BDCD plays a key role in facilitating the connection to enhance the future growth and prosperity of farmer’s organization particularly the women’s groups in the communities,” said Sales.

Many wonder why coconut is not

a nut, actually? Well, coconut

is no nuts. We say, it’s a tree of

life. Agree. Now it comes as a life, literally and

figuratively, for Agrarian Reform Communities

(ARCs) in the DAR. What typifies coconut as

such, would give us the idea that indeed from

tips to roots it gains many beneficial uses. In

fact we have posters in elementary schools

way back then, having a picturesque coconut

depicting its varied usefulness. In the DAR,

we are venturing intense spread of coconut

production and enabling institutional partnership

with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). On

this note, the Bicol DAR management under RD

Maria Celestina Manlagñit-Tam took the first

step forward in ushering in a vibrant partnership.

Why is this so?

Occurrences of strong typhoons in

2006 have brought massive damage to coconut

plantations in the Bicol Region zeroing the yield

for more than a year. The number of productive

coconut trees has also been declining due to

rampant illegal cutting and incidence of pest

and diseases over the years. This has put the life

of our coconut farmers in vain especially those

who are solely earning from coconut farming.

With this need at hand, the Department

of Agrarian Reform and the Philippine Coconut

Authority have forged agreement to rehabilitate

the coconut plantations of the agrarian reform

communities (ARCs) in Bicol, and provide new

opportunities in coconut farming.

The partnership is in line with the PCA’s

Coconut Seedling Dispersal Project (CSDP)

under the Accelerated Coconut Planting and

Replanting Project granting qualified coconut

farmers coconut seedlings for planting and

replanting in their coconut farms.

In a Memorandum of

Agreement signed between PCA

Administrator Euclides G. Forbers

and DAR Bicol Regional Director

Atty. Maria Celestina Manlagñit-

Tam on September 2012, 700

hectares covered by seven (7)

nurseries distributed in every

province of Bicol were agreed for

inclusion in the program.

Under the program, PCA

provides planting materials such as

coconut seednuts and seedlings,

technical assistance on nursery

establishment and operation,

extension services, and regular

monitoring of the progress of the

project.

On the other hand, DAR identifies

suitable lands where the project can be

implemented in the provinces of Camarines

Norte, Camarines Sur A & B, Albay,

Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. DAR

Bicol also identifies the target municipalities and

barangays with capable Peoples Organizations

and provides local counterpart contribution for

trainings and capacity building for beneficiary

organizations. The beneficiary organizations

provide labor for the establishment and

operations of the nursery project, formulation of

policies on selection of farmer beneficiaries and

roll-over scheme.

As roll-over scheme, DAR Bicol shall

return the same value received in kind equivalent

to 100 good quality seednuts per hectare seven

years after planting which shall be distributed to

the succeeding beneficiaries.

The DAR Provincial Offices of

Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay

and Catanduanes, in coordination with the

Philippine Coconut Authority counterparts

and beneficiary organizations have established

coconut nurseries in the agrarian reform

communities (ARCs) while Sorsogon is yet to

conduct pre-activities of the partnership.

In Camarines Norte, 20,000 coconut

seednuts of Laguna Tall variety worth about

three hundred thousand (P300,000.00) pesos

was granted by the partnership to CABILANG

ARC of the municipalities of Daet & Talisay.

The focus area of partnership in the

province of Albay is the Albay Tres ARC

Connectivity Cluster where the bulk of coconut

area plantations are situated. Balogo ARC in the

municipality of Oas thru the PANALA Farmers

Association has also received 20,000 seednuts

from the partnership and 15,000 seednuts from

the Local Government of Oas, Albay.

In addition, 40,000 coconut seednuts

were also granted to Pambuhan, Garchitorena,

Camarines Sur while Sorsogon is in the process

of conducting information campaigns and

orientation seminar to gain support in the area.

The same is true with Catanduanes, where

the different ARCs were able to designate

coconut planting areas courtesy of this regional

partnering with PCA.

Now, when they bloom in the future,

these coconuts will not just give you shade in

the ARCs. They’ll give you lots of stories of life.

It’s COCONUT for life in ARCs

LAID OUT FOR

GERMINATION. A wide

array of seednuts means

more for Agrarian Reform

Communities (ARCs). As

an initiative, the DAR-

PCA partnership for

coconut dispersal and

planting in various sites

brings in not only life for

program beneficiaries,

but also meaningful

reminder of enduring

progress through mutual

cooperation

by George P. Olayres and Nilla P. Lagatuz


system and agricultural water supply system to

irrigate small farm lots. These are two separate

packages. The Health Center package included

a Vaccine/Medicine Fridge, Health Center

Lights, and a Portable Lantern.

The AC 10 “Block of Power” is a

component for business endeavor run by a

Cooperative or PO to finance the operations

and maintenance of the whole project. It has

2-volt batteries, solar regulators, inverter,

distributor panel, and electrical wiring that

could supply 10,000 watts with 220 volts

AC of electricity daily in remote areas. It uses

photovoltaic technology that converts solar

energy into electricity.

The said AC 10 included 2 chest-type

freezers, TV set, DVD player, karaoke machine,

mini grocery, and a satellite disc where residents

can view local and foreign programs on TV.

ARC Recipients ARC MAMANI in Monreal, Ticao

Island is composed of Barangays Maglambong,

Macarthur, and Sto. Nino. Of the three, only

Maglambong, begged off due to its proximity

to the grid of NAPOCOR run by the Ticao

Electric Cooperative.

Macarthur availed of the solar homes,

community lights, potable water supply, school

package, and health center package while Sto.

Nino availed of the solar homes, community

lights, school package, and health center

package.

ARC PIRNO in Claveria, Burias Island

is composed of Poblacion District II, Imelda, San

Ramon, and Nonoc.

Poblacion District II has solar homes,

community lights, school package, and potable

water supply system. Imelda has solar homes,

community lights, school package, health

center package, and agri water supply system.

San Ramon has solar homes community lights,

school package, and health center package.

Nonoc availed of the solar homes, community

lights, school package, and the AC 10.

ARC Cueva in San Pascual, Burias

Island is composed of Barangays Cueva,

Pinamasingan, Laurente, and Dangkalan.

Cueva has solar homes, community

lights, school package, health center package,

barangay hall package, and AC 10. Pinamasingan,

Laurente, and Dangkalan all availed of the solar

home package.

Stories Unfold

Elizabeth Gernale of Barangay Sto.

Nino, a 68 year old grandmother said that all

her 8 children were born by kerosene lamp or

sometimes by candlelight. Her daughter Lony,

SPOTSThe Power of

by Edwin C. Yanzon

was more fortunate. She has enjoyed delivering

babies in a lighted health center equipped with a

vaccine and medicine fridge and a well trained

barangay health worker. Not connected to the

electric network, the village health center was

installed with solar technology four years ago.

“This makes our work much easier, especially

since most of the births take place at night,” said

midwife Helen Del Rosario.

“The problem as always is water. There

are no taps throughout the village of Sitio

Quilapad. We only have a well, which is 20

meters deep,” said Eulogio Borral, a 70-year-

old widow with two daughters and a dozen

grandchildren. In the past, diarrhea, dysentery,

and amoebiasis are the most feared health

problems in the village due to the absence of

safe drinking water. “We now enjoy potable

water from a faucet in the center of the

barangay powered by solar energy,” said one of

the beneficiaries.

“In my small coconut farm I wait for

my coconuts to mature in three to four months

before it is converted to money,” revealed

Elmer Garnica of Barangay Imelda in Calveria.

Garnica since then applied multi cropping under

the coconut trees. “Thanks to the agri-water

supply system run by solar power, I can earn

extra income by planting different kinds of

vegetables on rotation basis,” he said.

“Thieves no longer roam at night for fear

of being identified and caught,” said Community

Lights and Health Center Technician Agapito

“Lolong” Lidres of Barangay Cueva in San

Pascual. “In the past agri products like corn,

palay, chickens, goats, and even kitchen or

home wares will disappear in the middle of the

night. Now with the street lights, thievery has

lessened tremendously,” revealed Barangay

Captain Nani Amican. Amican also said that he

can now hold council meetings at night because

of the Barangay Hall package which provided

his barangay hall with an incandescent lamp.

“Too early to bed,” answered Barangay

Councilman Jesus Mendenilla of Nonoc in

Claveria when we bade goodbye at 7:00 pm

after a brief conversation at his small but well-

lighted house. Stories of families getting to bed

early before the implementation of the SPOTS

are not unusual in the village where population

is quite big. “We were making more babies in the

dark,” joked a friend of the Councilman.

Selvino Alburo, a solar home technician

of Cueva said that his three children of school

age have more time studying their lessons at

home than before. “My children can now do

their homework with ease and as a result their

grades have improved. Before, we often ate

our dinner before 6:00 pm to avail of the last

blast of daylight and prepared to go to sleep

immediately,” he recalls.

“School attendance has improved a

lot compared to say four or five years ago,”

said School Principal Leticia Cervantes of

Dalaquit Elementary School in Barangay

Macarthur, Monreal. “The school

package of TV set, DVD player,

and educational DVDs provided

by DAR facilitated the learning

process of the students.

We don’t have to produce

drawings ourselves to show to our students

which at times confuse them if the drawing is

not good. Now, they could watch it onscreen,”

the principal added.

“Fiesta in our village is the most awaited

event of the year and I’m sure it is also true

to other remote villages in our municipality,”

revealed farmer and former Barangay Captain

Ben Azares of Macarthur. “In my incumbency

where the solar project was not yet implemented,

most fiesta activities, like basketball games were

usually held during the day. We usually hire

diesel fed generator for the village dance at night

that also included lighting the perimeter areas

to thwart troublemakers from doing their thing

under cover of darkness,” added Azares.

Incumbent Barangay Captain

Dominador Lambuhan said that basketball

games are now held in the evening in the

barangay center and other festivities since solar

powered lighting were installed. “Thanks to

SPOTS, the center is full of life which used to

be idle at night,” said Lambuhan.

An AC 10 project turned out to be the

source of fund for maintenance and operating

expenses for SPOTS in Cueva ARC. “We are

doing fine here as far as business is concerned,”

said PO Chairman

Elmer Epile who

also oversees

the operation

of the mini

g r o c e r y.

“ T h i s

business provided by DAR through SPOTS

will not make us very rich but gave us the

opportunity and the leeway to sustain the

operation of the project on a long term basis,”

added Epile.

Meanwhile, PO Chairman and Principal

of Cogon Elementary School Roy Pikit-Pikit

who assisted DAR during the infancy of the

project in organizing various sectors in Monreal

said that not a bit of doubt entered his mind

about the project. “It was a noble project, sans

politicking, that will definitely succeed because

of the tremendous benefits it will bring to the

families and the community. Definitely, the

recipients will have to take care of this project

for their own good,” explained Pikit-Pikit.

The success of every undertaking

depends on the willpower of the people involved.

Issues and problems are a normal phenomenon

but they must serve as a strengthening factor

to keep the project going. Discipline and unity

of the individuals in the community are a must

for them to sustain and enjoy the benefits of

SPOTS for a long period of time. Anyway, who

would want to go back to how it was before the

project arrived in the area? Certainly, no one

does.

The qualifications for a village to avail

itself of the technology are simple.

First, it must be an ARC, a cluster

of land reformed barangays, which serves as

convergence of government sponsored support

services. Second, it should have no plan to

energize within five years.

SPOTS is a Philippine government

project in partnership with the Spanish

government. Another partner, the Department

of Energy (DOE), approved the sites for inclusion

in SPOTS. DAR is the lead implementing

agency.

Project Package The project offered eight packages,

foremost among which were the solar home

systems. It provided a stand alone system

package, consisting of photovoltaic panel

module, a regulator, and a battery for each

household, which can be used for 32 light hours.

Each household pays P170.00 monthly to a

Cooperative or Peoples Organization (PO) for

operations, maintenance, electrician’s honoraria,

and related expenses.

Other packages included community

lights, school package which consisted of a TV

set, DVD player, and educational materials.

Water package included potable water supply

In the first quarter of 2008 three Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) in the islands of Ticao and Burias in the

province of Masbate qualified as recipients of the Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS) from the Department of

Agrarian Reform (DAR). In December of the same year the ARCs were lighted. “The best Christmas gift we ever received

collectively from DAR aside from the land titles under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program,” said Emilio, one of

the recipients of the solar homes in Burias Island.

SPOTTED. Children enjoying the benefits

of Solar Power Technology Support

(SPOTS)


Vision

"A nation where

there is equitable

land ownership

and empowered

agrarian reform

beneficiaries who

are effectively

managing their

economic and

social development

for a better quality

of life".

Agrarian justice, which is being

delivered by the legal department

of DAR, evidently, has a very

vital role in program implementation, and its

contribution to the entirety of the Department’s

achievements is indispensable. If there is a word

or phrase that would aptly describe the Legal

Sector in DAR Bicol, it is the ‘dynamism’ that

runs through it! Instinctively, the people behind

are by far -vibrant, self- motivated, and always

determined to be at their best.

For all time, the DAR V Legal Sector

conquers its goals with pride and confidence.

Its exemplary performance, which is always

motivated by the constant challenges

encountered in the execution of its task, has

reached an unprecedented high by consistently

topping the chart nationwide. It is noteworthy

that beginning 2007, it has become a prime

mover of the program in terms of agrarian

dispute resolution and agrarian justice delivery.

Records available demonstrate a pleasing

average percentage of accomplishment for the

past six years (2007-2012). Topping the list

of high average percentage is Agrarian Law

Implementation (ALI) case resolution reaching

116.16% and Mediation attaining 110.16 %. On

the other hand, Judicial (Court) and Quasi-

judicial (DARAB) cases, where lawyers and legal

officers generally perform FBs’ representation

accomplished 63.5% and 87.33% respectively.

Generally, the mandated yearly target for ALI,

Mediation, and Quasi-judicial is undeniably

delivered and of course always at its percentage

peak.

Looking back, 2008 was regarded

the best year for the Legal Sector attaining

the highest percentage of accomplishment

- Judicial-91%; Quasi-Judicial-108%; ALI-

176%, and Mediation-132%. As recalled, the

hardworking group was allowed to do some

‘learning expedition’ to search out wide ranging

ideas on how to fast track case resolution.

Unknown to others, ageing of cases is one

battlefield that challenges the Legal Sector.

Justice delayed is justice denied as they say!

The succeeding years did just as

well. The high-time performance continued

as the Legal Sector did it once again in 2010.

Despite major amendments, modifications as

far as implementing rules and regulations are

concerned, still Quasi-Judicial managed to

accomplish 120% vis-à-vis the target; Agrarian

Law Implementation (ALI) Cases with 115%;

Mediation with 113%, and Judicial (Court)

Cases with 80%. Agreeably, the task was

amazingly done!

Also for the past years, protest actions

against DAR Bicol involving flashpoint cases

have laid low. This is a clear indication that

said cases have somehow gained positive

developments, and the parties involved have

finally realized that all possible interventions

to resolve the cases have already been done

by the office. The relatively calm condition

of the flashpoint cases in the region could be

mainly attributed to the potent quick response

operations (QRO) DAR Bicol has. The QRO

is being manned by the quick response officers

both in the regional and provincial offices.

All of these are attributed largely to

the efforts exerted by the top management

under the leadership of Atty. Maria Celestina

Manlagñit-Tam, Regional Director, to improve

case resolution by improving the system itself.

The DAR-Legal sector has developed and

adapted strategies which can be pinpointed as

the best practices ever employed since the onset

of the CARP implementation.

For one, it has regularly conducted

assessments and conferences during which

DYNAMISM The Delivery of Agrarian Justice (DAJ) is one of the three key

components of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Thru this, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is vested with

the primary jurisdiction to determine and adjudicate agrarian reform

matters, and extend free legal assistance to farmer-beneficiaries

affected by agrarian disputes. Furthermore, DAR upholds the peaceful

co-existence of the farmers and landowners, and ensures the efficient

and orderly implementation of CARP.

The staying power in

agrarian justice delivery

by Cynthia A. Ramos & Maria Trinise V. General

problems, issues, and concerns

not only of the regional office but

of the provincial offices as well,

have been thoroughly threshed

out and answered. In the same

forum, new Administrative Orders,

Memorandum Circulars and other

issuances were studied and discussed to come

up with a common stand for the Bicol Region,

leaving little room for compartmentalized

interpretation.

For faster, enhanced, and more

streamlined legal work, information and

communication technology was tapped.

Lawyers and legal officers were provided with

laptop computers, and have access to wireless

fidelity (wi-fi). Making this essential aid easily

available, the legal sector maximizes the use

of DAR-LIS (Legal Information System) and

cdasiaonline (jurisprudence online). At the

moment, it benefits from a painless research

of the law, rules, and guidelines needed.

Easy updating of the E-LCMS (Legal Case

Monitoring System) is also made possible and

truly within reach.

Moreover, the DAR Legal keeps track of

its cases with the aid of two monitoring systems.

The first system ever devised is the Legal Case

Tracking System which is useful when electric

power is out and the computers cannot be used

to answer follow-ups made by clients. On the

other hand, the LCMS was downloaded by the

central office both to the regional and provincial

offices purposely to enable the Legal Sector

monitor the cases.

A favorable working environment –

affording them individual work cubicles- has also

been placed to minimize distraction at work,

and eventually producing gratifying output. Best

references have been made available to them,

including the yearly subscription to the Lawyers’

Review, plus a Law Library at the regional

office is being maintained and updated with the

acquisition of new books.

In enhancing the writing capabilities of

the group, write-shops are regularly undertaken.

This has greatly helped improve their writing

styles and adequately addresses agrarian reform

challenges.

In cases where there are similarities

in the cause of action and the relief sought

(transfer action, DAR Clearance, etc.), the

legal sector devised uniform order templates to

expedite its resolution.

These and

many more are just

some of the strategies

being adapted by the

Legal Sector that led

to its commendable

performance for the

past years now. And

with the inception of

the One DAR Policy

which DAR Bicol

resolutely pursues as

a one for all, all for

one strategy to finally

put CARPER into

completion, the Legal

Sector finds itself playing

a key role in a wider perspective. Gone are the

days when tasks are just limited to resolving

cases and representing the farmer-beneficiaries.

The horizon becomes wider and varied –

effective involvement both in LAD activities

and PBD lawyering are crucial without mental

reservation.

Certainly, dynamism and hardwork

reaps success and impressive accomplishments.

In paving the way to peace and social equity,

the Legal Sector in DAR Bicol has established

its standing as alive, active, and ready to take

chances -- no matter what.

BRIGHT MINDS, BRIGHT IDEAS. DAR V legal chiefs brainstorm in a meeting (clockwise, foreground) Atty. Zaldy Monilla, Atty. Ramon Cabañes, Atty. Jaime Resoco Jr., Atty. Leo Miguel Ramos, Atty. Antonio Ricardo Tejada and Atty. Gilmar Nasayao.

TECHIES. DAR Masbate legal chief Atty. Cidarminda A. Catamora with paralegal officers during the E-LCMS workshop.


DARAB V opts to

Soar Higherby Santos J. Mirandilla

For instance, the 2012 DAR

V accomplishment reports

show that DARAB V has

accomplished more than 100%

targeted cases for resolution. During

our recent regional assessment,

RD Atty. Celestina Manlagñit

Tam has acknowledged the overall

accomplishment of DARAB being

one of the three qualifiers for the

mandated cash PBB reward. In search

for what may effectively work to

sustain the effort for this year and

onwards, adjudicators and staff led

by OIC-RARAD Al Besinal identify a

simple but vital difference maker, that

is, to repeat performance.

Notably, a confluence of certain

reinforcing factors falls in place. For

one, DARAB V existing staff density

at around 78%

c o m p l e m e n t s

its need for

a relatively

balanced staffing.

It has reached the

critical mass from

the previous three

to the current

five adjudicators.

With almost one

adjudicator for

every province,

s u p e r v i s i o n

Equipped with a fresh and dynamic breed of adjudicators, the right perspective for DARAB Region V is

drawn: casting clear vision, willingness to work, open to learning, bias towards action and result. Tracing

back what works for DARAB V is critical not only in “doing the things right but more importantly,

doing the right things” at the outset. Probably, this “right” mix of positive attitude serves as motivator

and enabler for DARAB V to conveniently embrace change, learn, hear and evidently accomplish more

around our expected major final output--case resolution, mediation, post judgment, and execution.

capability immensely improves. So far, the

quantity of “conflict” decreased while its

quality increased. Lately, DARAB V also

participated in the cascading program,

retooling DAR employees in the area of

motivation, training, and systems. This

retooling was conducted only through

video recordings which showcased

uniform law interpretation and best

practices, for less. It also has the

leverage of maintaining the

purity of information that

can readily be

h a n d e d

o v e r

a n y w h e r e

a n d

a n y t i m e

e v e n

simultaneously.

As in rowing the

boat, there is now a

balanced clout between

performance and

performers’ aptitude.

Just in time, another

vital tool takes place

with the launching

of the Legal Case

Monitoring System

(LCMS) digitalization.

Consequently, this data

stream management

transforms the DARAB

records and performance

tracking “routinized,”

progressing from tedious

manual reports generation

into easy and automated

ones. Being new and

untreaded, the LCMS

dry run which we learn in

groups and teams turns a

perfect practice makes perfect

and its learning more desirable

to embrace. Looking at it more

closely, this new data stream

management has also created another

vicarious experience that transported

staff work into a multifaceted lever

called “automated online.” Using it as

the standard work template every

day, the task is connected to the

staff's intrinsic satisfaction

especially so that it is just like

a game with a score card.

T h e

regular

conduct of DARAB

V assessment is equally important as

a structural enabler for performance

reward and accountability. The

mainstream DAR generally gives

out extrinsic reward for the job well

done. During assessment, DARAB

V recognizes supplemental rewards

POWER CAST. DAR V Regional Director Waying M. Tam with the Adjudicators (L-R) PARAD Raddy Tolentino, PARAD Romer Montales, PARAD

Virgilio Sorita, RARAD Alberto Besinal, PARAD Gene Villareal and PARAD Renato Borromeo (not in photo).

anchored on the precept that it’s often

the thought not always the gift that

counts for the real performers. Of

course, mature interaction harnesses

problem solving more vividly through

actual case modeling. This way, it proves

more productive to see the glass half full

rather than half empty.

There is indeed more to it as

we are motivated to hold a growth

mindset. A glimpse from our 2013 third

quarter performance which is above par

thus far, our target is on sight and our

performance on track. While DARAB

V continues learning by doing, it is

envisioned molding a servant model type

“of whose existence," according to Lao

Tzu, "the people are barely aware.” In

short, more efforts will be redirected for

DARAB’s qualitative and quantitative

case resolution capability. All this

rightsizing, retooling, new data stream

management, regular propinquity

and servant leadership modeling are

vital synergy at work to reinforce our

identified positive deviant--to repeat

performance.

©www.goodfon.com

I am a member of a team,

and I rely on the team,

I defer to it and sacrifice for it,

because the team,

not the individual,

is the ultimate champion.

- Mia HaMM - "

"

Fields Magazine 37

ABeautifulWhen the emancipation of farmers

was declared, and Operation Land

Transfer was put in place, my Dad

was one of those hardest hit. We were so

unlucky to have the most obstinate and hard-

headed, misinformed tenants who thought they

had to fight us for a slice of the land they tilled.

Life for us became one big contest. I developed

a great fear for tenants and farmers. I would

hide in fear whenever they would come to the

house. They became a threat to us. They

became our enemies. But not Tiyong Masuy!

He was the Chieftain of a small tribe

of “aetas.” My Dad, who owned a tract of land

in the mountains adopted his entire tribe and

installed Tiyong Masuy as “encargado,” and

his sons (who all had families of their own) as

tenants of the entire property. From then on,

Tiyong Masuy became an important figure in

my life. He became a faithful, loyal friend.

To me, an impressionable little girl,

Tiyong Masuy was slightly larger than life.

This had nothing to do, of course, with the fact

that he looked like a fairer version of Og in the

comedy flick “The Gods Must Be Crazy.” To

me he was a strong ally against the farmers I

feared. He took our side and he never gave us

any problems. His was the hand that held mine

whenever the farmers would troop to the house

with their demands.

One morning, on a hot summer day, a

number of farmers came to the house looking

for my Dad. As usual, not long after, I could

hear raised voices. I was in the kitchen with

Tiyong Masuy, who was now a frequent visitor.

As soon as I heard them, I ran out with Tiyong

Masuy hard at my heels. He caught me at the

door staring at the people in the room, shaking

with fear. Tiyong Masuy never said anything.

He just took my hand and together we went

out. Outside, he told me it wasn’t my fault that

they were all angry. He said not all farmers are

enemies. Some of them just need to understand.

This remains etched in my memory because it

meant a lot to me. He understood my fear. I

didn’t have to say anything. I never talked to

anyone about it for fear that if I do, things would

get worse. Tiyong Masuy changed all that. He

encouraged me to talk about my fears. He told

me it was okay to be afraid. Being afraid only

gives us the chance to be brave.

A few weeks later, he brought us a

turtle. I played with the turtle the whole day.

By the afternoon, the turtle hid in his shell and

refused to come out. I told Tiyong Masuy the

turtle didn’t want me anymore. He told me he’s

hiding maybe because he was tired and also

afraid. He said he brought me the turtle because

it reminded him of me. He said sometimes, it

is okay to hide from things. It prepares us for

what’s coming. True enough, by morning, the

turtle was ready to play again.

From time to time, Tiyong Masuy

would bring us lobsters, vegetables, and fruits

which he caught and grew himself. He never

entrusted those gifts to anyone. He always

brought them himself. And he himself cooked

those for us. I thought he just wanted to feel

important. As I grew older, I understood. In his

“nothingness” he gave us something priceless –

a part of himself!

More than being brave and giving,

Tiyong Masuy taught me to accept that certain

things just happen. It happens even when we

don’t want them to. It happens even when it

will cause pain.

One of the last few gifts he brought

us was Bambi, a baby deer he caught in the

mountains during one of his hunting trips. It had

the most beautiful eyes, and I instantly fell in love

with it. We became inseparable friends. I would

feed him myself. I found him a special place in

the kitchen. And I made a basket especially for

him to sleep in. I would get up in the middle

of the night to console him when he cried for

his mother. In the morning, he would get up to

greet me, nuzzling my hand. This went on for

a few more weeks. Then one morning, Bambi

simply couldn’t get up. He was so weak. The

following morning, Tiyong Masuy returned.

But he was too late. Bambi died in the night. I

cried buckets. Again, Tiyong Masuy never said

anything. He just hugged me and let me cry.

Then he said it was okay to cry; it washes off

the pain. I said the pain was still there. He said,

“then cry some more.”

Days turned into years. I was growing

older. I became too busy in a world of my own

I almost didn’t notice that Tiyong Masuy’s visits

came farther and farther between. Eventually,

he stopped coming. News reached us that he

died in his sleep.

Tiyong Masuy and his philosophies:

In his innocent, untutored stoicism, he taught

me in ways unimaginable. He opened my eyes

so I could see there was a world far different

from that within the walls of my home. He

taught me love for the farmers, the poor and the

defenseless. He prepared me for work in the

DAR.

Tiyong Masuy left me a Beautiful

Legacy. He taught me to be brave and strong.

He taught me to fight in life just as he taught me

to accept the inevitable as we live through the

pains. And most of all, he taught me humility.

I am writing this piece as a fitting tribute

to a great man! To Tiyong Masuy, Godspeed,

wherever you may be!

Legacyby Susie M. Molinaon AGRARIAN JUSTICE DELIVERY n o v e l t i e s

by Lilia Villegas

EXPEDITIOUS delivery of services

is the mandate of public service. This

is true in all government agencies,

including the Department of Agrarian Reform

(DAR). To be able to provide the needed

assistance, certain rules and guidelines were

designed if only to ease up implementation

of the three (3) indispensable aspects of

agrarian reform, to wit: Land Acquisition

and Distribution (LAD), Delivery of Support

Services and Agrarian Justice Delivery (AJD).

EASY ACCESS is the keyword in this

year of technology and innovation. We have

to adapt to the fast paced and ever changing

atmosphere, whether political, social and

economic aspect, locally or worldwide. Our

environment today is even far beyond constant

as change comes so often than expected, even

at a wink of an eye.

This being so, it is necessary for us to

transform not only on a personal level but on the

policies being implemented. It poses a challenge

upon us to possess an imaginative mind and

undoubted courage to take a bold leap from the

usual.

This development is not foreign on

matters affecting Agrarian Justice Delivery.

New ideas were conceptualized and old ones

modified, if not totally abandoned. Toward

this end, certain guidelines and processes

were introduced and adopted, starting at the

municipal up to the regional level.

One of the innovations that marked a

significant impact on accomplishment is the

process on the investigation of cases affecting

agrarian law implementation. Customarily, data

gathering is done at the municipal level. Then the

case folder is forwarded to the provincial level

for the collation of information gathered and

preparation of investigation report. If the data

provided by the municipal level is incomplete

or inadequate, an order is made requiring the

municipal office to complete the data needed

together and the entire case folder is returned.

This process is a bit taxing on the part of the

municipal offices resulting in the enormous

delay of providing the information, and worst

ageing cases.

To expedite the process, all agrarian

law implementation (ALI) cases received at

the municipal level is immediately elevated

to the provincial office for the preparation

of investigation report and immediate

endorsement to the regional office. The officer-

on-case will personally conduct data gathering,

ocular inspection or whatever activity he may

deem proper geared towards a comprehensive

investigation report. With this process ALI

cases are immediately resolved.

Pooling of personnel to handle numerous

affected farmer-beneficiaries, in just one setting,

in far flung barangays was also adopted. This is

to address problems of farmer-beneficiaries who

are similarly situated as those in landed estates

or problematic landholdings, in a way, reaching

out to those who cannot even afford to go to

our office.

Designating a POINT PERSON on

specific legal concerns, as preparation of certain

legal pleadings in bulk was made not only for

purposes of documentation but also of making

sure that pleadings are properly prepared as to

conform to legal sufficiency.

The foregoing were but some of the

many modifications introduced to expedite

agrarian justice delivery and the office is

committed in continuously conceptualizing

ideas toward this end.

With these, I believe the saying that

goes, “justice delayed is justice denied” will soon

be put to rest.

All men are created equal,

it is only men themselves

who place themselves

above equality.

-David Allan Coe


Being a lady boss has many advantages. Thanks to the gifts of intuition and tenacity, gifts that naturally come with being a woman, a lady for a boss is a precious package treat.

Women can juggle a career, run a home, raise the kids, even take care of a dog and a husband --- and arrive at the weekend with their mind, body, and soul intact. That's how women are, no matter what's going on in their lives, they go over and around roadblocks to get what they want. They confront fears in high heels and mini skirts. Nothing can stop a determined woman.

That is exactly how the lady boss of DAR V can be described --- intuitive, tenacious, and unstoppable.

Ladyby Maria Trinise Vasquez-General

TOUGHIE

When Atty. Maria Celestina M.

Manlagñit-Tam became the regional director of DAR V almost six years ago,

she knew that the challenges ahead were enormous. She also knew that the journey would not be easy, it would be long and bumpy. But as a soldier geared for combat, she was prepared. She was and still is, tough and confident.

DAR V can never be underrated, the lady director knew this from the start. The list is long: whopping balances of agricultural lands to be acquired and distributed, winning and sustaining the support of stakeholders, resolving agrarian cases, manning the workforce, resolving and managing crises, like a survey equipment commandeered or a fieldworker kidnapped. The pressures she gets everyday are boosters to pump her adrenaline. She keeps a positive outlook on things, happy with the knowledge that all her efforts will be recompensed.

RD Waying, the name she prefers to be called, is a woman of action. She is a hands-on boss. She does not tolerate dawdling nor is she content with plain statements, she upholds everything beneficial to the program and wants swift execution. She never runs out of ideas which she freely shares with her subordinates but at the same time encourages free thinking and open discussions to come up with sound management system development programs to enhance productivity in the workplace. For her, having the best ideas is not enough, helping one another assess and find collective meaning and commitment to new ways is equally important.

Now and then she has something new to share. It could be an honest initiative to put into practice or just anything she deems essential to the growth of the organization and its people.

RD Waying cannot be anything but be on her toes always. Region V has one of the biggest LAD balances still for delivery. With time playing an important factor, she considers it top priority to come up with effective strategies to have day-to-

day results, bring into action strategic intents, and address the basics needed for continuing operational success.

On top of her priorities is keeping in constant touch with her people, especially those in the field, where the real action is, and that’s why RD Waying initiated the monthly Provincial Agrarian Reform Officers Executive Committee (PAROs-EXECOM) meetings in the DAR Provincial Offices, not limiting the meetings in the regional office. She believes that provincial hopping is a learning experience. It broadens the managers’ perspectives and gives them wisdom, too.

Visits to the Municipal Agrarian Reform Offices (MAROs) also boost employees’ confidence and provides her a good scenario of field operations. Indeed, immersing in the grassroots level keeps her grounded and in touch with reality.

RD Waying expresses her all out support to the PAROs and gives them enough leeway to exercise their own judgments and prove their competence in their own realms. Her confidence in their abilities and expertise comes from her awareness of their long years in the field. She respects these veterans in the agrarian arena.

To sustain the improvement of performance and systems in the workplace, RD Waying adheres to the strict compliance with the Civil Service Commission’s rules and regulations at all times. She does not hesitate pushing the corresponding disciplinary measures to those who violate the rules.

She also encourages every unit to come up with the Annual Procurement Plan (APP), and to firmly stick to it to avoid unnecessary expenses. RD Waying wants everyone to exercise prudent and practical utilization of the government’s funds.

To maintain “peace and order,” she keeps everybody abreast of what’s happening with the regular ManCom Meetings with the Section and Division Chiefs. Likewise, a general Assembly is done regularly.

Because of the growing demands and pressures involved in the implementation of the program, RD Waying believes that everyone must be physically and mentally fit for the job.

“All work and no play makes John a dull boy,” is an old adage that makes DAR people conscious of their well being. Thus, engaging in sports two hours a week is encouraged in DAR.

“Sports play a vital role in the enhancement of one’s personality and positive body image,” reiterates RD Waying time and time again. Sports equipment like treadmill and stationary bicycle were purchased for everyone’s use. Provincial and regional sportsfests are undertaken to promote solidarity and esprit de corps among employees.

Moreover, she advocates and participates actively in the Gender and Development (GAD) programs to help in the advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women in the region. She initiates and supports personnel economic development activities like trainings-seminars on livelihood that do not only equip employees new skills and technical know-how, but also help them be more self-reliant.

In her more than five years of vigorously striving to attain DAR's Vision, RD Waying has learned a great deal both as a leader and as a person. Though she is into mastering the intricacies of the program (CARPER), she always makes room for new learning because she believes that learning is a continuous process, that constant learning drives employee development and organization performance. This is one reason she supports professional and career development programs for DAR employees. Further, a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) III holder herself, she encourages qualified employees to apply and undergo the process of becoming CESO holder themselves. Similarly, leadership trainings for the executives and enhancement skills for the rank and file are regularly c o n d u c t e d to sustain energy and commitment level that will lead

to excellent quality output. Through these programs she said, employees’ strengths and weaknesses, attitudes and behaviors, values and future aspirations, and skills and competencies are defined, thus the organization is able to make better use of their skills and put them at the right place. Consequently, promoting deserving individuals in the future is quite trouble-free. To boost, it is during RD Waying’s lead that several commendable individuals have been promoted - evident was in 2010 when ten Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officers (CARPOs) and two Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs) finally obtained their much long-awaited deserving promotion. Definitely, it is really giving credit where credit is due --just what she says, at all times.

As part of the Modernizing Outlook of the Department, RD Waying supports maximizing the use of Information Technology, encouraging employees to enhance their IT skills to keep up with the fast technology times. Internet connections are upgraded and websites are created for faster, more efficient communications inside and out. She believes in the importance of providing DAR employees with updated/upgraded computers and the latest useful gadgets to improve service and help in the technological transformation in the office. Along with this is the improvement of the work environment by creating a conducive atmosphere with functional but pleasing office equipment to boost people’s morale and productivity.

HER FIRST OF MANY. RD Waying-Tam

during the ground-breaking of project

under the ARCDP II in Polangui, Albay,

in her early days as DAR Bicol Regional

Director. With her are (L-R) Polangui

Ex-Mayor Jesus S. Salceda Sr., former

Albay PARO Salve C. Tongco, ARCDP

II-AED Consultant David T. Santos and

Albay Governor Jose Maria S. Salceda.

...continued on page 50

Thus, they selected a treasurer among them to whom they entrusted their piso or the one peso share of each other. Later, that piso rolls and gets far. So far that it had provided jobs to eight unemployed, energetic, and smart youths. And still more individuals have been helped financially.

That is the Salvacion Farmers’ Development Cooperative or SAFADECO

for short. Way back in 1992, they called their group as “Pag-urupod,” a Bicol term

for camaraderie. They are neighbor-farmers who peacefully live in Barangay Salvacion,

Sorsogon City, a part of Sorsogon ARC Cluster. After a few months, their one peso share got a total of Php1,000.00.

In those times, the Department of Agrarian Reform was organizing the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). It was very good timing for the Pag-urupod especially when a diligent Development Facilitator from the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Sorsogon learned about their objective.

“She invited us to attend Pre-Membership Education Seminar so that we’ll become an official organization under the assistance of DAR,” said Tita Desquitado, one of the twelve pioneer members.

However, one peso contribution per day takes too long to become a big amount. Thus, after attending PMES, they thought of launching a raffle draw to raise funds.

“We just solicited the prizes from the employees of DAR whom we met during the PMES. Somebody gave a roll of textile. There was also a priest who donated a sack of rice. Then we bought groceries for consolation prizes,” said Desquitado.

From the raffle tickets, they earned Php17,000.00 which they kept in a bank. But after a year, it only gained an interest of Php100.00. The group was disappointed, so they thought of venturing in Rice Retailing. Unfortunately, it was just borrowed by the

members resulting in the very slow return of investment. So they stopped the Rice

Retailing business and instead went into Relending. But the same thing happened.

In their third attempt to succeed in business ventures, they decided to open a

variety store. By that time, they were already twenty in the group but only fifteen of them

were active. These fifteen had contributed labor and construction materials for the store’s structure. Eventually, their small business began to gain.

In 2001, DAR helped them prepare to be a registered cooperative in the CDA (Cooperative Development Authority). They were given various trainings such as Simple Bookkeeping, Leadership Training, Para-Technician Training, Participatory Area Planning, and Crop-Based Farming Technology Seminar with tours to demo farms. These were sponsored by Agrarian Reform Communities Project or ARCP, a foreign assisted project of DAR which was being implemented in the provinces then.

Not long after, they were renamed SAFADECO, to identify them as a farmers’ development cooperative in Salvacion. Then, the variety store that they have established was named SAFADECO Sari-sari Store. As a recipient of ARCP, DAR made its twelve members cooperators of Lakatan Production wherein each one received one hundred twenty sacks of fertilizers. Another four members became cooperators for Hog Raising, and eight became cooperators for Sasso Chicken Production. These were handed to them along with feeds. When the free feeds ran out, they saw the need to include this item in their variety store. Thus, they added feeds in their roster of products.

Moreover, as the province of Sorsogon identifies itself to be the number one producer of Pili nuts, the ARCP supported its promotion by launching the Pili Enhanced Propagation and Orchard Development Project. Again, this project was entrusted to SAFADECO. Later, fellow-farmers were able to get seedlings from it which they planted in their backyard.

Not only in agri-business initiatives of ARCP did the coop benefited but also in the

TheRolling

Gets Farby Alura A. Jaso

They were twelve then, discussing about how they will earn money.

What if we’ll save one peso everyday?

Why not?

Pisconstruction of farm-to-market road in the ARC where the members of SAFADECO obtained ten percent on their labor counterpart which was converted to additional capital build up.

The Barangay of Salvacion has two hundred fifty five hectares of coconut land which is much bigger than any other kind of agricultural land in the area. Indeed, its primary agricultural product is copra. Thinking on how the SAFADECO can help the copra farmers in the area, they put up Copra Trading. Thus, copra producers within the ARC didn't have to go far just to sell their produce.

SAFADECO’s purchased copras were delivered to Legazpi Oil with a small profit of 20 centavos per kilo. But the small profit didn't matter, their main purpose after all, was to help the copra farmers sell their produce.

In 2009, there was a Bicol Cooperative Congress held in Daet, Camarines Norte and SAFADECO was awarded by CDA for being one of the One Hundred Cooperative Top Grossers of the Year in Bicol Region.

On July 10, 2012 the DAR Sorsogon conducted a Provincial DAR-NATCCO Micoop at Agrarian Reform Areas Partners Forum. This was to help the ARBs to have an access to credit. Although SAFADECO had no plan of borrowing money from any financial institution because they don’t want to have loans or paying responsibilities, they were still the NATCCO’s choice to be in partnership. “Among the choices, SAFADECO was the only one that had no external loan in any lending or financial institution which implied that they knew how to control their funds. Aside from that, I like their positive attitude towards management and their good teamwork,” said Evelia Bardos-Tizon, National Mi-Coop Program Manager.

Consequently, they started the establishment of MiCoop which generated job vacancies for the position of General Manager, Loan Officer, Bookkeeper, Cashier, and Development Officers. Of course, it gave opportunity to deserving job seekers.

Another milestone came for SAFADECO on October 9, 2012. Their cooperative finally opened as an affiliate of NATCCO with its program, the MiCoop. But even before its official launching, the energetic newly hired employees have already conducted PMES in several communities. Oftentimes,

they made some guestings on radio promoting the MiCoop. Prior to its partnership with NATCCO the SAFADECO catered to only four Barangays in Sorsogon City. Today, with the MiCoop, not only Sorsogon City is served but also its adjoining municipalities of Castilla and Casiguran.

Just recently, they also conducted a two-day Feeding Program for the students of Salvacion Elementary School who were taking the National Achievement Test. This is part of their endeavor to serve the community and at the same time promote their program. The event brought gladness not only to the children and the parents but to the teachers as well. “Hopefully, next time you also include our school in your Feeding Program,” a teacher from the adjoining Barangay told them.

While their coverage becomes wider, both regular and associate members feel more and more grateful. Evelyn Jaylo is just one of those who benefited from the products offered by SAFADECO. Through the availment of a loan of her daughter Florabel last February of this year, she was able to open a small canteen. “I’m so thankful to SAFADECO because it helped my family to have a decent life. Actually, I used to have a job until my husband died. In order to support my two children, I went to Manila and worked there. This year, I came back, supposed to be for vacation. But when I learned about the MiCoop, I decided to open again this business. I have no IDs and other requirements, so Florabel was the one who availed of the credit assistance in my behalf. But I was the one who use the money,” said Evelyn.

Her canteen offers Halo-halo, Mami,

Pancit, Bihon, and Lunch food. She usually prepares six dishes everyday. Most of her clients are tricycle drivers because the canteen’s location is just beside the parking place of tricycles. Oftentimes, there are late eaters who wish to buy food, but unfortunately there’s no more left for them because every food she prepares are always sold out. “The business is going well because we’re able to pay our daily dues of one hundred fifty pesos, while our capital keeps on rolling,” she said. By May this year, she is expecting to complete the payment of the remaining balance.

Last March 23, 2013 SAFADECO held their first General Assembly. It was just like a reunion party for the old and the new members. There was also a raffle draw and the election of new officers. With the new Board of Directors and Committee Members elected, it is hoped that the cooperative will perform more competently. “This year, we are hoping to recruit more members in order for us to extend our products and services to more people. DAR and NATCCO are very supportive in achieving our mission to engage our members in meaningful development. Through microfinance and other coop products and services that we are about to offer, we are planning to create savings product for kids and youth for them to realize the importance of savings. We want to empower our members by educating them and we want them to be financially literate. So, it would be much better if they will start while young,” said Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, the General Manager of SAFADECO.

SAFADECO is not just a farmers’ cooperative that operates under the auspices of MiCoop in Bicol. Other provinces such as Catanduanes, Albay, Masbate, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur have the same type of operation under its turf.

“What makes SAFADECO in Sorsogon typically different however is that it started literally from piso-piso savings which later grew up into a substantial capital of the cooperative,” said Gina D. Bolaños, OIC PARO II of Sorsogon.

Sometime in DAR’s history, farmers organized themselves because of the benefits they expect to receive from the government. Who would ever think that there will come a time when the situation will be reversed? Imagine how many jobless and hungry there are in the Philippines. But SAFADECO thrives to lessen their number by the jobs it generates, and the financial assistance it provides to many families. Isn’t it wonderful to know how the rolling piso got that far?

ROLLING FORWARD. The new generation of SAFADECO members continue to keep the legacy alive.


Victor Ramon B. Goyena, 51, agrarian

reform beneficiary in Daraga, Albay

was once a vendor of pilinut candies

in bus stations in Albay. Bogs, as he is fondly

called, is a licensed Civil Engineer but has rich

experiences in marketing and sales with his long

years in the field of pharmaceutical industry.

“Roving work requires a lot of energy and luck

to earn a living. I would say that job was really

tough; so I quit and tried to build a unique

product of my own.” he narrated.

Leaving the selling job at the bus station

and corporate scene led to a better opportunity

for Bogs. He became creative and pioneered

the extraction of oil from pilinut kernel and pili

tree resin also known as manila elemi for his

amazing CANARIUM brand “The First Virgin”

skin care products.

TURNING POINTIn 2008, DAR awarded him a three-

hectare land in barangay Bigao, Daraga, Albay

through Comprehensive Agrarian Reform

Program (CARP) Voluntary Land Transfer

(VLT) scheme. Having now the land of his

own, he put up a pili nursery so that he planted

350 pili trees that add up value to his land.

He said that farming is a challenging

endeavor for it is full of uncertainties and requires

capital, time, and energy. But he persisted

on; and focused on the future. He comforted

himself by imagining that his farm was already

flourishing with pili fruits and everybody was

From bus station

to the oil of his

DREAMSbusy harvesting and processing for local and

international markets.” Bogs reckoned.

His initiative as ARB to develop his

farmland has created a momentum of good

example for his fellow farmers. A lot of them

realized and convinced that it is worth to

cultivate pili trees in their farm lots.

“I realized that by growing pilinut trees

and learning the right technology to process

other pilinut by-products would help us

generate more income in farming. I agree with

the statement that we have to do something

differently to produce different results.” said

Bogs.

As President of the Albay Pilinut Industry

Federation (APIF), he participated in local study

missions to Pilinut Research and Development

at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos,

Laguna and Quezon Province along with

selected members of the federation and other

farmers in Bicol Region.

DOING WITH PILINUT KERNEL OIL

His interest to the concept of oil

extraction from pilinut kernel started in 2009

when the Department of Agrarian Reform

(DAR) informed him of upcoming farmers’

training on Pilinut Food Processing under the

Pili Development Program of the Department

of Agriculture (DA). He learned that there

are entrepreneurs in Bicol that extract oil from

pilinut pulp but none has tried extracting oil from

the kernel itself.

The tipping point came by when a

Japanese consultant whom he met in a lecture-

seminar advised him to focus on pilinut kernel oil

production because it has promising opportunity

in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.

In that lecture meeting, he decided to drop

all the pili products and focus on pilinut kernel

oil. “I spent six months of online researches

on the right key to process good quality pilinut

kernel oil but couldn’t find much information so

I just experienced with the manual extraction. I

really started from scratch.” Bogs said.

He consulted Engr. Jacinto Alex B.

Elegado, Albay Provincial Director of the

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

where he got the idea of fabricating a small

pressing device for more efficient extraction of

oil. The device enables him to extract 150 ml

of oil in one kilogram of dried pilinut kernel. He

uses pilinut kernel oil as main ingredients in the

production of hand & body lotion, moisturizing

cream, facial soap & toners, massage oil,

shampoo and hair growth enhancers.

POTENT OILSince, everything was new and there

was no available information of finding out

the good results that it may bring about, Bogs

followed his faith. "I was the guinea pig.” said

Bogs. "I used the oil on my body and the result

was amazing. Who else will believe in my

product if not me?"

He wondered what made the pili oil so

unique and special among other oils. So he

submitted sample for quality evaluation tests

to the DOST. Laboratory results revealed that

pilinut oil is rich in omega 6 and omega 9, which

has anti-inflammatory effect, making it work

against skin problems. The results were further

confirmed as his clients testified that pilinut

kernel oil easily dries pimples, whitens skin,

and excellent skin moisturizer. Just recently,

he got testimonies that pilinut kernel oil can

significantly enhance hair growth; heal skin

lesions, and other minor skin problems.

Again, he immersed himself in research

by George P. Olayres

to find out the contents and its benefits when

cosmetically applied or ingested orally. “I

justified to myself that if people are orally taking

VCO and olive oil for medicinal or aesthetic

value then surely my CANARIUM can do the

same thing and might even yield far better value

and significance.” he recalled

The rest is history, for there is now a

great and wide acceptance in the market and

people who have tried the product confirmed

on how fast and effective the CANARIUM –

“The First Virgin Pilinut Kernel Oil is. It’s just a

matter of time before it becomes a blockbuster

in the market.

EXPLORING MANILA ELEMI OIL

Not long after Victor has introduced

his CANARIUM brand “The First Virgin” skin

care products in the 2011 Agrikultura Trade Fair

at SM Megamall, Bogs has again developed

another amazing product primarily for skin

rejuvenation.

His exposure in the 1st International

Agriculture and Tourism Fair in 2011 has stirred

his interest to process manila elemi, locally

known as “salong” from the bark exudes of the

pilinut tree. Bogs said, “In that activity I meet

local as well as foreign buyers who shared ideas

on the potentials of manila elemi oil as ingredient

in the production of various skin care products.

Aside from that, they told me

that the resin contains oil

known as limonene, a perfume

component used in scented

paper, inks, candles, fresheners

and cosmetics.”

Furthermore, he said,

other countries are now getting

more aware of the health and

cosmetic benefits of pili nuts. In

France, the use of manila elemi

oil from pili nuts is already popular.

International brand Chanel, for example,

sources its manila elemi oil, an ingredient in

some of its beauty products, from Quezon and

Bicol Region. Bogs cited that manila elemi oil

is used by cosmetics manufacturers as active

ingredients in the production of various facial

skin toners and anti-aging products.

“This reinforced my theory that pili nut

oil really is good for the skin, so I experimented

again, mixing manila elemi oil and kernel oil.

Since nobody buys kernel oil and manila elemi

oil from me in bulk, I decided to come out with

new product lines like toner, soap, etc.,” said

Bogs.

“This amazing mixture of kernel oil and

elemi oil from pilinut is effective against skin

blemishes, acne, and delays the skin aging” Bogs

claimed. He also said that there are credible

literatures proving that elemi oil enhances the

production of tensin in the skin, an enzyme that

preserves

the shape a n d

vitality of the skin cells thereby producing

younger-looking skin.

Bogs is now selling his pilinut kernel oil

(VPKO) with manila elemi oil (MEO) for skin

rejuvenation in 10, 20, 30, and 35 ml bottle

sizes or in two separate containers. He sells

these products to local consumers and now

working to reach the national markets. He has

loyal customers from as far as Baguio, while

some satisfied customers in Metro Manila have

become dealers. He has also set up a website to

get wider publicity for his line of products.

People who have tried his VPKO keep

coming back and say that it is indeed amazing

moisturizer and whitens old aging, dry and rough

skin. “This because VPKO is easily absorbed

by our skin and it has no odor making it good

moisturizer” he explained.

...continued on page 50

CANARIUM, THE FIRST VIRGIN. Engr. Bogs Goyena's assorted products from Pili Nut Kernel Oil.

Goyena with GNN TV-Naga host Karmi Asor

during the interview for DAR V's "Gusi, Sup-ay, Uswag" TV special.

©www.flickr.com/photos/gypsysoul73

©canariumthefirstvirgin.wordpress.com


T he

success of every organization depends on how efficient its people

are. Work efficiency of people, however, does not simply crop-up from mere exposure to work, there is that underlying root from where efficiency sprouts. Work efficiency among people is a result of self-motivation, enthusiasm, willingness, internal capability, talent, and external motivation.

The Department of Agrarian Reform Region 5 human resource complement is basically composed of middle-aged employees, owing it to the fact that the agrarian reform effort of the Philippine government dates back to the time of the Marcos era. The present set-up of DAR 5’s manpower complement are a second generation employees belonging to the baby boomer generation.

The professional discipline and business function that oversees an organization's human resources is called human resource management.

According to http://smallbusiness.

“By J

ocylene

N. Naz

Human resources are like natural resources; they're often buried deep. You have to go looking for them, they're not just

lying around on the surface. You have to create the circumstances where they show themselves.

-Ken Robinson

BELIEVING IN TH

EPOWER

OF HUMAN RESOURCE

chron.c o m /

“Human resource management team

suggests to the management how to strategically manage people as business

resources. This includes managing recruiting and hiring employees, coordinating employee benefits, and suggesting employee training and development strategies. In this way, HR professionals are consultants, not workers in an isolated business function; they advise managers on many issues related to employees and how they help the organization achieve its goals.”

Indeed, an organization cannot do away with HR, as every work place comprises individuals who are the most important asset in any bureaucracy. So, what is the role of HR? Does it end with selection and placement, or

are there various other

responsibilities that are overlooked? HR does

comprise of recruitment, as it is essential to hire individuals who fit into the

organization. But the responsibilities do not end there. HR managers also have to make certain that the employee’s tenure at the organization is longer and more productive. Finding the right candidate for the job is just the first step but productivity is likewise a focal area of consideration.

The DAR 5 organizational set-up separates hiring, recruiting, and coordinating employee benefits tasks from suggesting employee training and development strategies; the latter being the work of Human Resource Division and the former belongs to the tasks of Personnel Section which is under the

Administrative Division.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has three major tasks focused on improving the lives of the less fortunate stake holders -- the sector of farmers as a whole. These tasks are the following: Land Tenure Improvement (LTI), which is CARP’s land distribution component); Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD), which is CARP’s support services component; and the Agrarian Justice Delivery (AJD), which provides justice to aggrieved farmers and landowners as well.

Since year 2007, under the able-leadership of Regional Director Atty. Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam, DAR Region 5 has been

labouring and endeavouring for a well-equipped, well-trained, and work-efficient manpower complement. True to everyone’s expectations, 2008 was a banner year for DAR Bicol. This was proven when it gained outstanding results both in land acquisition & distribution (LAD),

and agrarian justice delivery (AJD) as lauded during the DAR National Year-End Assessment.

DAR Bicol hopes to achieve more as calendar year 2013 is a very crucial year. As part of its HRD plan, for the years 2013 up to 2016, DAR Region 5 will endeavour and continue to upgrade the job competencies of different group levels on employees current and anticipated job responsibilities. Top management supports and believes that investing in professional development program of people will improve job skills and employee productivity.

A continuing knowledge update program on latest issuances, Administrative Orders, Memo Circulars across sectors has been institutionalized. Series of Cascading Sessions of the recent discussion of issuances by top DAR legal luminaries was recently conducted around the Region.

A well-defined work culture vis a vis organizational values is one of the goals of DAR 5. Part of it is the incorporation of gender perspectives in all development work. Team building sessions are conducted yearly and Women’s Desk is institutionalized in all parts of the Region.

Optimizing utilization of information technology to enhance responsiveness of human resources has been a priority project for DAR 5 manpower. Information Technology trainings have been introduced from the regional down to the municipal levels. Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is one key result area of this

work aspect.

As a pro-active move, in preparation for the changing times, DAR 5 people are being

prepared for organizational resiliency and readiness to cope with the dynamics of organizational changes. For retirees and soon to be retirees, high-impact supportive recognition initiatives have been institutionalized as well

as skills trainings as alternative choice for career transition and other related lifestyle and business options. DAR 5 is pioneer in training its people on different livelihood options: Bonsai culture, Baking, Paper Recycling, Coffee Shop Operation, Meat Processing, Balloons Making,

Soap Making, Candle Making, Travel Agency Operation, etc..

Health and wellness of employees is one big concern of DAR 5. Hence, it fully supports the safety programs of employees and its continuous capacity-enhancement of Emergency Response Team within the organization. Series of trainings are made possible with the help of Emergency Response Experts from Albay Health Emergency M a n a g e m e n t (AHEM).

DAR Region 5 hopes to transform DAR managers into high performing leaders through comprehensive professional/career development programs, thus, annual leadership trainings for DAR managers and potential leaders are initiated.

Accessibility of Career Service Exams reviews and scholarship programs are likewise facilitated for the employees.

DAR Region 5 aims for higher productivity, if not the highest, and its people believe they can rev-up to reach their potentials. Hand in hand, they focus to produce more; develop and prepare to be skilled - to be more productive.

Sooner or later, they will be proud to say that once in their lifetime there is a DAR who honed their talent, capabilities, and skills, making them excel in their chosen field

to become better persons. Indeed, “human resources are like natural resources, they are often buried deep...” all DAR Bicol needs is to create the circumstances where they will be able to shine.

THE DAR V TOP EXECUTIVES headed by regional director Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam (seated, center) pose for a class souvenir with resource persons Yoga Guru Mr. Luisito Palermo, CESB Exec. Dir. Atty. Anthonette V. Allones & SC-MIS Chief of Staff Mr. Alexander Arevalo, during the Executive Leadership Training, an annual undertaking of DAR V to continuously improve leadership, managerial and supervising skills among heads.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

TEAMBUILDING. Overcoming barriers to performance is how groups become teams.

”©Mauricio Jordan De Souza Coelho/123RF.COM

46 Fields Magazine

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43940.Ken_Robinson



GADIn

Gender sensitivity within the bureaucracy has been given more weight since the inception of Gender and Development (GAD)

focal point. In the Department of Agrarian reform (DAR), GAD Focal Point serves as the machinery ensuring the integration and

mainstreaming of gender concerns into its policies, programs and projects, personnel and enabling mechanisms. In fact, GAD

has already been considered an integral part of it.

We Thrustcan really sustain all the programs under GAD.

“With appropriate mechanism and logistics

available at all times, GAD sustainability could

never be a problem”, enthuses Ms. General.

To boost, DAR V had been commended

by the Commission on Audit for having

been actively implementing the Gender and

Development (GAD) projects and programs in

accordance with the GAD Work and Financial

Plan within the context of the agency plan and

program, as highlighted on its annual Audit

Observation Memorandum (AOM)

for CY 2010-2011. Definitely, DAR

Bicol will continue to execute more

activities and to be participated by

more intended beneficiaries in the

future.

Meanwhile, one of the major

concerns that have been given due

emphasis while integrating GAD into

the mainstream of every government

agency is the issue on putting women

on equal footing with men in every

undertaking, in all walks of life. In

DAR, basically, the matter is reduced

to the issues on giving the women

employees’ equal opportunities in

policy formulation, decision-making,

professional growth, and non-biased

gender consciousness in agrarian

reform program implementation.

And for the clienteles’ side, ensuring

that qualified women are

being given equal rights in

land ownership, hold land

titles, and involvement in

community development

activities, among others.

Although not new

anymore, the issue on equality of rights between

men and women gained a more intensified

advocacy with the advent of GAD. But it can be

recalled that in 1992, former President Corazon

Aquino enacted Republic Act 7192, otherwise

known as the Women-In-development and

Nation Building. The law promotes the

integration of women as full partners of men in

development and nation building, and directs

all government agencies to work towards

mainstreaming women and gender concerns.

One of the government agencies’

responses to this call was the creation of Women’s

Desk. In DAR, Women’s Desks were established

in the national, provincial, and municipal levels to

address gender-related concerns and look after

the general welfare of women in the agrarian

sector. To revitalize the existing Women’s Desk

under the renewed thrust on GAD, DAR has

inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for

the latter to provide

the professional

expertise in training

the personnel who

will handle the

operations of the

said unit.

As a support

activity to this special

concern, orientation

on different laws

i n v o l v i n g

this sensitive issue

had been conducted for the

DARRO V personnel. Among these

laws are as follows: Republic Act 9262

(Anti-Violence against Women and Their

Children); Republic Act 7877 (Anti-Sexual

Harassment Act of 1995); and Republic Act

9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003).

Fortunately, the issue on equality of

rights is not much of a problem for DAR. The

Department has always been an advocate

for women empowerment, especially in the

countryside.

Generally, GAD’s ultimate integration

into the mainstream of DAR would be valuable

for a number of reasons. For one, it would serve

as the mechanism that would give the employees,

as well the clienteles the needed interventions in

the areas less attended in the past, especially for

women.

A renewed and sustained GAD

implementation in DAR V had

started way back in 2008. Pursuant

to General Appropriation Act of 2008, and

in accordance with DAR’s Medium-Term

Expenditure Framework, which includes the

formulation of a GAD Plan for implementation,

the Department has committed to utilize five

percent (5%) of its annual budget appropriation

for the said program. This paved the way for a

revitalized GAD implementation in DAR Bicol.

Equipped with said provisions, DAR

V Regional Director and GAD Focal Point

Chairperson Maria Celestina Manlagñit-Tam

instructed GAD Focal Point Vice Chairperson

Aurea General to design a program that would

respond to the needs of the workforce in the

regional office, hence, the birth of Human

Resource Benefit Program or HRBP. HRBP

is composed of three components – health,

economic, and family spiritual development, all

under the direct supervision of the GAD Focal

Point Chairperson.

Under health component, employees

are given the opportunity to involve in

sports and other recreational activities as

a way of maintaining the employees’

physical well-being. In DARRO

V, one of the activities

along this component is the regular participation

of the basketball and badminton teams in the

Civil Service Commission (CSC)-sponsored

Sports Festival. Aside from putting into action

GAD’s concepts, the participation likewise

gives DAR the chance to strengthen linkages

with other government institutions, especially

with the line agencies.

Health awareness seminars are likewise

being conducted under the same component.

Orientation on specific health topics like

stress management, menopause/andropause,

osteoporosis, heart disease, and proper

nutritional diet are conducted to educate the

DARRO V employees. Also included in the long

list of topics are healthy lifestyle and preventive

medicine.

For the economic development

component, the DAR has programmed a series

of technology and livelihood trainings for the

employees in coordination with Technology

Resource Center (TRC). In the regional office,

among the first trainings conducted were Soap

and Perfume Making, Hair Trimming and

Treatment, Balloon Decors, Chinese

Dimsum, Home Bakeshop, and Meat

Processing. In the following years,

more trainings have been lined up and

conducted, to wit: Business Planning

for Small Entrepreneurs, Catering Business

Operation, Ornamental Plants Protection

& Practical Landscaping, Setting-Up a

Travel Service Business, Basic Reservation

& Ticketing, Coffee Shop Management &

Operation. Likewise, some GAD activities

had been tied-up with HRD: Paper Recycling

with Novelty Items, Creative Food Packaging,

Specialty Cakes & Pastries/Basic Cake

Decoration and Bonsai Culture. All of these

trainings are aimed to provide the employees

with basic skills on different livelihood projects

for them to utilize in augmenting their income.

Family spirituality development is the

component under the HRBP that addresses the

employees’ spirituality and sense of belonging.

One of the major undertakings under this

component is the holding of Family Day,

wherein families of the employees would meet

at least once a year to strengthen their bond.

Activities under GAD are being

conducted too in the provincial level, applying

the approaches imbedded in the HRBP. The

HRBP is indeed a very effective strategy that

by Reuben R. Loria


RD Waying stresses the importance of maintaining good public relations, providing information, and social marketing advocacy and campaign in the region. She keeps her schedule flexible for interviews and guestings in radio and TV, part of her strategy to build up the good image of the Department to the public.

A staunch supporter of CARPER, she gives her full support to all information dissemination activities in the office. She believes this is the best possible way to herald all efforts and good deeds of DAR to all stakeholders and the general public. Thus, her belief that all information officers from the regional down to the provincial level are equipped the right “tools” and given the corresponding skills trainings for vigor and capabilities enhancement in bringing out the good news about the program.

Late last year, RD Waying brought in another innovation by proposing the “radiation” scheme and personnel re-deployment plan under the “One DAR Policy.”

One DAR Policy, an “attack as one” working strategy which she prefers to call DARamayan Bikolnon, aims to provide reinforcement to the present workforce in the high Land Acquisition (LAD) provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon. She expressed optimism DAR Bicol can perform better this year and onwards as she acknowledged that significant gains have been achieved.

It is indeed a program that is highly convoluted not to mention “dangerous” and so everything is patiently worked for to achieve the desired results. Lest that everyone will become jaded with all the difficulties encountered, RD Waying calls for bravery to overcome the challenges.

As DAR Bicol continues towards the future with more work left to be done, a deep commitment and unfaltering dedication to service is as primordial as “attacking the lion.” RD Waying has high hopes that 2013 will be a banner year for DAR Bicol. But she believes that it would entail a no nonsense amount of teamwork for DAR Bicol to come up with more breakthroughs and accomplishments.

She urges everyone to further improve performance, move on as one, adding that Region V has to apply the “One DAR Policy” on a bigger scale. It means an out-of-the-box approach where all provinces will be regarded as high LAD, then come up with a practical

workload distribution. She further stressed that each and everyone has a role, and whatever it may be, it must be deemed vital to the overall capability of DAR Bicol.

U n d o u b t e d l y , innovative ideas and valuable leadership were important ingredients that generated value and significant changes in the organization. RD Waying led DAR Bicol to where it is now, she’s still leading the region with her determination, tenacity, and strength.

The journey may still be thorny, but with this tough but compassionate lady at the helm of DAR Bicol, the days ahead are sure to be fruitful, enjoyable, and quite a great ride!

MOVING FORWARD“In my own little way, I am also attempting

to set up a business system that starts from the

ground up to the finished product: from the

farm where the Pili Nut is planted and grown,

then into processing, production, distribution,

marketing and sales.” says Bogs.

He has absolutely set a new trend in

pilinut industry. He wants to move pilinut to

emerge as one of the best nuts in the world

that is best not only in the food industry but in

cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry as well.

As everybody knows, pilinut are made

into candies and other forms of snack foods

and pasalubongs; but for him, pilinut are more

promising in the cosmetics industry. “What I

am trying to establish is a broad market in the

local setting using pilinut kernel oil and manila

elemi oil as active ingredients in the cosmetics

industry”. Bogs stressed.

He is building his Canarium brand “The

First Virgin“ becomes the preferred brand, as

the natural fast and effective solution to remove

pimples, stubborn acne and that lightens pimple

and acne marks and facial blemishes. In this

year’s Daragang Magayon Festival Trade Fair,

his Canarium Product was adjudged as the

Most Innovative Product by the Department of

Trade and Industry.

Given with the needed resources,

Victor plans to develop his farm as Pili Park

to showcase the varied products derived from

pilinuts to farmers, students, entrepreneurs and

tourists.

”I would like to spend my retirement years

on the farm which would have been a recognized

agri-tourism destination or a wellness organic

farm or resort,” this imaginative, creative, and

revolutionary engineer who was not content in

selling at the bus station, concluded.

From bus station

to the oil of his

DREAMSLadyTOUGHIE

The richness of the Fields Magazine has been made possible mainly because of the sharing of talents, time and experiences of the teammembers. But without the crucial help of some individuals, the creation of this magazine will never be realized. Thus, we would like to express our sincerest appreciation to the following:

To Miss Jillian Estrellado, for painstakingly working on the design and layout of the magazine until the wee hours of the morning; Miss Rina C. Imperial, for helping in the copyreading of the write-ups, and the productive coffee talks; and Mr. Al Baleda, for creating the cartoon spread.

Likewise, to Roger Azupardo IV, Ms. Liza Repotente, and to others who in one way or another have given their support but we forgot to mention – thank you very much!

-Editorial Staff-

Acknowledgement

Atty. Maria Celestina M. Manlagñit-Tam, CESO IIIRegional Director

Engr. Romulo A. Britanico, CESO VICARPO/OIC PARO IIAlbay

Leonito M. Gaveria PARO I/OIC PARO II Cam. Norte

Ramon B. FuentebellaCARPO/OIC PARO II Cam. Sur B

Samuel R. OngcalCARPO/OIC PARO II Masbate

Alexander T. Teves PARO I/OIC PARO IICatanduanes

Gina D. Bolanos PO V/OIC PARO IISorsogon

Atty. Leo Miguel A. Ramos Attorney V/OIC-ARDA

Atty. Miguel S. GracillaAttorney V/OIC-ARDO

Roseller R. OlayresPARO II/Head of Monitoring for Other LTI Activities

Atty. Alberto A. BesinalRARAD

Nida A. SantiagoCARPO - Operations

Ma. Belinda A. BaldeChief, Admin & Finance

Maria Trinise Vasquez-GeneralRegional Information Officer

Jesus A. de la Rosa OIC CARPO - SSD

Liza B. RepotenteCARPO/HEA

Patricia T. RastrulloCARPO - HRD

Emily S. SialPO III/OIC - Planning

Doris G. AniActing Accountant III

Hipolita A. AltavanoActing Budget Officer III

Rodrigo O. Realubit, CESO VI PARO I/OIC PARO IICam. Sur A

REGIONALEXECOM

ONE OF THE GUYS. RD Tam leads the ceremonial toss to mark the official start of the basketball exhibition game between DAR and DENR.

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DAR V MEDIA: We write to tell what is right. We shoot to tell the truth.50 Fields Magazine

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