15/10/2026
𝗗𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗧 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗢 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔. 𝗙𝗘, 𝗟𝗘𝗬𝗧𝗘
The Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office VIII (DARRO VIII) turned over a Peanut Butter Processing Center worth ₱500,000.00 to the San Isidro Organic Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SIOFARCO) today, under its Village-Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED), in Brgy. San Isidro, Sta. Fe, Leyte.
The turnover was led by Assistant Regional Director for Administration and Program Beneficiaries Development (ARDA) Ronelo Jose K. Zamora and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Roderick B. Rances, together with Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)–Burauen Campus Director, Erwin Oscar P. Ripalda and representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Local Government Unit of Sta. Fe, Leyte.
Completed in just three months, the project reflects the strong collaboration among SIOFARCO and partner agencies, from the buy-in session on July 2, 2026, to the groundbreaking on July 29, 2026, to today’s turnover, demonstrating how collective action can accelerate the delivery of support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
As part of the cooperative’s market development efforts, Director Ripalda offered to help promote SIOFARCO’s products through the university canteen, opening a potential market for its peanut butter products.
SIOFARCO Chairperson, Rebecca Barredo expressed gratitude to DAR and its partner agencies for their continued support, reaffirming the cooperative’s commitment to making the project successful for the benefit of its members and the wider community.
“Damo nga salamat ha iyo padayon nga pagsuporta. Naniningkamot kami nga magin malinampuson ini nga proyekto, kay diri la para ha amon kooperatiba kundi para liwat ha bug-os nga barangay,” she said.
PARPO Rances emphasized that DAR’s mandate extends beyond land distribution to providing support services that strengthen farmers’ enterprises and improve their quality of life. ARDA Zamora likewise recognized the contributions of partner agencies, particularly DOST for providing essential machinery and technical assistance, and reaffirmed DAR’s continued support for the cooperative.
In her closing message, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Ellyn G. Dico underscored that the turnover marks the beginning of a more important undertaking: making the facility productive and profitable. She challenged the cooperative to improve its production and marketing efforts to ensure that the processing center translates into tangible gains in members’ income.
Through the VLFED Project, DAR continues to advance agrarian reform beyond land distribution by empowering ARBs to build sustainable enterprises, increase their income, and create better livelihood opportunities. (MAICA ANNA QUILES)
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘢
