Department of Agrarian Reform, Apayao

Celebrating Strength and Empowerment: DAR Apayao's Women's Month Celebration

DAR Apayao recently marked a significant Women’s Month celebration, a vibrant event spearheaded by Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen. The activity served as a powerful testament to the ongoing advocacy for gender equality and the unwavering spirit of women.

Atty. De Ausen delivered an insightful lecture that illuminated the critical aspects of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Her words resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of creating a society where opportunities are equal for all, regardless of gender.

Adding to the day’s inspiration, Ms. Hilda C. Julian, OIC-Budget Officer, shared a deeply personal and moving account as she encouraged every woman to embrace courage, resilience, and strength—especially during life’s inevitable trials. She emphasized that women are strong because they choose not to give up, even in moments of sorrow and hardship. She also highlighted the evolving role of women in today’s world, noting their increasing presence in leadership positions across various organizations, including presidencies. Indeed, it was a powerful reminder that women are not only capable but are actively shaping the future through their leadership.

In collaboration with TESDA–Apayao, the activity featured wellness exercises, self-care sessions, and salon services—a much-needed opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation that underscores the organization’s commitment to the overall well-being of its staff.

The activity is not just for women—the involvement of DARPO Apayao men is equally important. Their support for women in all aspects of life brings comfort and reassurance to everyone, making the celebration even more meaningful with them as active partners in honoring women.

The spirit of strength, courage, and resilience defined the celebration and continues to inspire the DAR Apayao personnel.

Furthermore, DAREA President, Ms. Lovejoy P. Lupan, concluded the activity with a remarkable thought " honor the strength of women, treat them not as a replacement to others but as a vital force that completes our society".

✍🏻: Elsie P. Mappala || STOD-IO
📸: Eric Ace C. Cacacho

RD Atty. Sheila Enciso leads ILDF review, reaffirms commitment to complete Project SPLIT by 2027

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)–Apayao, through its Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, conducted a comprehensive review of the status of Individual Land Distribution Folders (ILDFs) today, March 17, 2026, in Baguio City.

The activity was led by Regional Director, Atty. Sheila B. Enciso, together with Assistant Regional Director for Administration Virginia Aycud. Key participants included personnel from the DAR Provincial Office (DARPO) Apayao, headed by PARPO II Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen, along with Parcelization Coordinator ARPO II Geneveve Montañez and OIC Legal Division Chief Mario Sinocruz III.

A major highlight of the consultation was the presentation of the current survey status and progress across key components of the parcelization process by Engr. Ethel Kate Pelovello. She also provided updates on survey services and outlined operational challenges, particularly those related to Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI) cases, qualification and disqualification issues involving beneficiaries of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), and technical survey concerns.

In her message, Director Enciso emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination in order for the SPLIT Project to be a success. She referred to recent meetings with the World Bank and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), relaying important developments that will greatly fast track project SPLIT implementation.
“Compliance with these standards is a must in order for it to be seamlessly integrated into the SPLIT Project and that we are committed to completing this project by 2027”, she said.

Meanwhile, Montañez presented a detailed report on the status and location of individual lands discussed in the session, providing detailed information on the status of parcelization works in the province. These components covered field validation, redocumentation, registration, and title distribution.

To conclude the activity, Atty. De Ausen delivered the summary of ILDFs status. She affirmed DAR-Apayao’s commitment to finish project SPLIT by 2027.

The activity further emphasized DAR Apayao’s commitment to accelerating land distribution processes while addressing technical and legal issues, all of which are in line with national targets for agrarian reform implementation.

✍🏻📸: DDT || Media Writer

HAPPENING NOW ||

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), through the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, convened today, March 11, 2026 at the DARPO-Apayao Conference Room for a pre-review on the status of Individual Land Distribution Folder (ILDF) in preparation for the ILDF review with the Regional Director to be conducted in Baguio City.

The activity was spearheaded by PARPO II Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen, along with Parcelization Coordinator ARPO II Geneveve M. Montañez, and was attended by SPLIT project personnel. The pre-review aims to ensure the preparedness of the team in presenting the status of each ILDF to the
Regional Project Management (RPMO), identify and be ready with the issues and concerns that hampers the implementation of the Project SPLIT in the province.

IN PHOTOS| The Department of Agrarian Reform, through the Support to Parcelization of Lands and for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project conducted a Final Pulong-Pulong on March 10, 2026 in Marag Luna, Apayao and Pudtol, Apayao covering the following landholdings: T-5194 (Leticia Aguite et al., 4.828 ha), P-1538 (Cesar Uddipa et al., 5.94 ha), T-5475 (Felicidad Sampayan et al.), and T-8259 (Rafael Rumingquet et al., 0.1712 ha).

The activity aimed to establish a clear and mutual understanding among Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) regarding land boundaries, areas, locations, and the final identification of individual beneficiaries for their respective landholdings.

WE ARE HIRING!!!!📣📣📣

The Department of Agrarian Reform Apayao through VISTA Project is looking for;

ONE (1) TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF (Contract of Service)
Salary: Php 30,000/month

Interested yApayaos may address their letter to;

ATTY. PENELOPE B. DE AUSEN
PARPO II
Department of Agrarian Reform-Apayao
San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao

You may submit your application to the DARPO Office and look for HRMO Designate, Dennis Z. Gorospe.

***please read the attached images for the complete details

DAR, ASC Sign MOA to Strengthen Support for farmers in Apayao

As part of the 28th Charter Day Celebration with the theme “Celebrating Legacy, Strengthening Innovation, Pursuing Excellence, and Transforming Communities,” the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Apayao State College (ASC) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 10, 2026, at the ASC EKB Auditorium, Luna Campus.

This Memorandum of Agreement aims to empower Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), small farm holders, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) and Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) through the provision of technical expertise, research-based knowledge, capability-building initiatives, market linkages, and other appropriate interventions to support the socio-economic upliftment of qualified program participants, within the scope of the respective mandates of both parties and in accordance with their established policies, guidelines, and procedures.

Mr. Ronald O. Ocampo, Ph.D. , VP for Academics, Research & Development and Extension Services shared in his message that today’s Memorandum of Agreement is more than just a formal document. It is a declaration of the partners’ collective responsibility to serve communities, empower people, and create sustainable pathways for growth and development.

Through this partnership, they reaffirm their commitment to transforming knowledge into productive opportunities. They also pledge to work with integrity, collaboration, and dedication, while maintaining open communication to ensure the success of the initiatives.

In her commitment speech, PARPO II, Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen said "we commit to support the partnership, offer our focused action and actively participate to turn our promise into reality, as the DAR works for the benefit of our ARBs, ARBOs and ARCs we pledge our dedicated collaboration with the ASC to achieve together and foster mutual growth, trust and shared success"

In addition, national line agencies including Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Education, and Barangay Local Government Unit of Shalom also signed their respective Memorandum of Agreement with the state college.

✍🏻📸: YJDPC || PIO

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 114, s. 2026 and DAR Memorandum, s. 2026, the Department of Agrarian Reform – Apayao will implement a New Temporary Work Arrangement.

Under this arrangement, the office schedule will be from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, with no office work on Fridays.

This temporary schedule shall remain in effect until further notice.

DAR-Apayao formally turns over several farm machinery equipment to ARBOs

The Department of Agrarian Reform-Apayao (DAR-Apayao) formally turned over the first batch of Climate-Responsive Farm Machinery and Equipment (FME) to six Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) at DARPO, San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao.

The activity was led by PARPO II Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen. The activity brought together ARBOs, DAR personnel and Technical Experts from the supplier. The intervention forms part of DAR’s mainstream climate adaptation strategy under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP), a flagship support services initiative designed to strengthen the resilience and productivity of agrarian reform communities amid intensifying climate variability.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Apayao’s local economy, with rice, corn, and vegetables as primary commodities. However, farmers in the province increasingly face production disruptions caused by prolonged droughts linked to El Niño episodes, extended rainy seasons, flooding from the Apayao River, and rising temperatures that exacerbate pest and disease.

The beneficiary ARBOs under the major crop-based block farming (MCBF) are:

•Sibes Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Sibes AR MPC) and
•Consuelo Apayao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association, Inc. (CAARBFA, Inc.)

Under the Sustainable Livelihood Support for Disaster-Affected Areas (SLSDAA) component, the recipients are:

•Balluyan Flora Farmers Association, Inc. (BFFAI)
•Marcela SPIP Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc.
•San Sebastian Farmers Association, Inc.
•Vegetable Growers Association of Apayao, Inc.

The distributed equipment package includes 4WD tractors with rotary tiller and loading trailer, mini 4WD tractor, hand tractors, water pumps, heavy-duty backpack sprayers, and farm tools such as shovels.

In addition to the ceremonial turnover, DAR also facilitated the MOA signing that would formalize the accountability mechanisms and operational guidelines on the use of equipment, maintenance, and sustainability. A hands-on training activity was also conducted to ensure that ARBO officers and members are technically capacitated in machine operation and management.

In her message, PARPO II Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen, emphasized that the beneficiaries should diligently comply with their obligations to ensure the proper management of the Farm Machinery and Equipment (FMEs). “Dawaten mi nga aramiden yo nga usto dagijay obligations yo tapno maiserbi iti usto dagitoy nga assistance para iti pagsayaatan yo amin nga beneficiaries". She also commended the six Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) who received FMEs and other farm supplies, “kayat na saw en ket napintas ti organizations yo nakita ti DAR that you are really qualified to have received this kind of support/assistance,”she said.

“Kayat tayo a ma-uplift iti biag dagiti farmers, naragsak iti riknami a makita a dagitoy FMEs ket makatulong iti panagdur-as iti biagyo a mannalon because DAR is always here for the farmers and ARBs,”she added.

Meanwhile, Rodolfo Agcaoili, treasurer of Vegetable Growers Association of Apayao (VEGAA) emphasized their commitment to utilizing the assistance provided for the improvement and development of their association and expressed hope for continued interventions from the agency as they pursue further growth with DAR’s guidance and support.
“Dumani maitublak iti associationmin ngem gapu iti inspirasyon nga it-ited iti DAR kenyami nag-grow kami, we promise a detoy intedyo kadakami ket maaramat para kadagiti pagsayaatan iti associationmi ket namnamaenmi nga ado to pay nga interventions iti maited kadakami ta mangrugrugii kami nga ag-grow babaen iti tulong iti ahensya iti DAR,”he said.

The CRFPSP operationalizes the principles of climate resilience that are embedded in the Climate Change Act through the transforming of policy into action at the community level. DAR seeks to enhance adaptive capacities through the integration of climate-smart technologies and capacity-building support, while protecting agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, the second batch of support services will be distributed to two (more) ARBOs in the second quarter of this year.

✍🏻📸: Diocen D. Tolentino || Media Writer

𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤. 🌱 𝑇ℎ𝑒 2𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑃𝑀𝑂 𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑝 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 2𝐴 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

The DAR-Apayao successfully conducted the 2nd VISTA PPMO Meeting for Batch 2A Readiness and Action Plan CY 2026.

Led by PARPO II Atty. Penelope B. De Ausen, the meeting focused on reviewing operational directives, implementation timelines, safeguard compliance, and monitoring systems to ensure a smooth and organized project rollout. Engr. Mark Jan R. Galleon presented the readiness plan, while the team addressed key concerns on documentation, coordination, and timelines.

With clear agreements and defined responsibilities, DAR-Apayao PPMO moves forward with a strengthened action plan for Batch 2A implementation, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development for Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs).

📸✍🏻: Engr. Ethel Kate D. Pelovello || VISTA-IO