BACOLOD City – An agrarian reform cooperative in Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental has extended their assistance to households affected by the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic.
The San Juan Torena Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SJTARC) aimed to lessen the burden of the community while they are coping back in life amid the present health crisis.
SJTARC, a Department of Agriculture(DAR)-agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organization, was able to distribute relief packs consisting five kilograms of rice, three packs of noodles, 10 pieces of fresh eggs, and a pack of dried fish to its 70 recipients – mostly members of the organization, while others are non-agrarian reform beneficiaries from neighboring villages.
“This activity aims to address even just for a week the struggles of farmers in finding their next meals due to loss of income, less mobilization or access to food sources brought by the COVID-19 crisis. Knowing that we are helping others is hugely empowering, and in turn, it makes us happier and more fulfilled,” said SJTARC chairperson Rodney Cornoso.
Cornoso added that officers and members of SJTARC worked the whole week to prepare the food packs. He noted that their generosity and goodwill are only acts of returning kindness to its fellow farmers and farm workers.
“It inspires us more, and this is what we need amid these trying times brought by the COVID–19 pandemic,” he stressed.
The SJTARC, which has a total of 33 agrarian reform beneficiaries, manage the 61.4223 hectares of land they acquired under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of DAR.
On the other hand, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform program officer II Teresita Mabunay said that the agency will continue to capacitate and to mold various organizations in this province for them to become effective and efficient model associations and citizens of the nation.
“Farmers are the country’s unsung heroes, who work day and night to deliver food straight to our tables. They are our frontliners in the production of food; an essential commodity during this enhanced community quarantine period,” Mabunay said.(With a report from PIA/PN)
