TARLAC CITY (PIA) — Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Tarlac turned-over a new hauling vehicle to the Malayang Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (MALAYA) to boost its cooperative business.
MALAYA, a cooperative of former rebels in Hacienda Luisita, received the assistance through DAR’s Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform program.
Tarlac Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rogelio Marzan said the program is the result of a series of consultations with the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Also, this is in support of increasing farmers’ productivity and income by helping them smoothly transport their produce from farm to market.
“Coming together to focus our efforts is far better and more effective. This is also a part of President Marcos’ declaration that we will intensify our support to farmers, not only for the development of their farmland but to help them have other means of livelihood,” he explained.
Marzan emphasized that the agency will continue to present and bring government services closer to communities.
“They were former rebels and we want to correct their perception of the government by assisting them and letting them know that the government will not abandon them,” he added.
Representing the cooperative, MALAYA Chairperson Florida Sibayan thanked DAR and the Northern Luzon Command for their joint effort in providing livelihood assistance. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)
