DAR promises support for Gawad Kalinga

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Agrarian Reform has pledged support for the humanitarian organization Gawad Kalinga (GK) and its army of volunteers in building “new townships” for farmers awarded parcels of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De los Reyes said the DAR management and its employees would assist GK not only in building houses for farmers, but also in transforming agrarian reform communities, or ARCs, into models of economic development in the countryside.

“We are accepting the challenge of GK founder Tony Meloto for DAR to forge partnerships with social entrepreneurs and civil society to help accelerate rural development in the country,” De Los Reyes said in a statement.

“The vision of Gawad Kalinga to help build new townships in the countryside is laudable. It is worthy of our all-out support and we are ready to participate in efforts to transform our ARCs into models of economic development in the provinces,” he added.

The Cabinet member made the statement during a round-table discussion organized by Gawad Kalinga for business leaders, social entrepreneurs and civil society groups held at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan.

The Enchanted Farm, located in Barangay (village) Encanto, represents a serious attempt by Gawad Kalinga to help government create new villages and accelerate economic development in the countryside.

Meloto said the Enchanted Farm, which showcases the products of farmers and CARP beneficiaries, is just one of the many projects that Gawad Kalinga seeks to undertake to realize its vision of helping government end poverty in the country by the year 2024.

“For us to realize this vision, we need the help of the DAR and everybody in building an army of patriots,” Meloto said.

Meloto explained that he sought the DAR’s participation in Gawad Kalinga’s projects in recognition of the department’s efforts in uplifting the living condition of farmers, particularly those awarded land under agrarian reform.

“I have known Secretary Delos Reyes for a very long time and I believe in his leadership. I also believe that the DAR, with thousands of employees deployed in the countryside, can help us reach out to farmers the soonest time possible,” he added.

During the round-table discussion, business leaders assured Delos Reyes and Meloto of a steady market for agricultural products being supplied by agrarian reform communities.

Mike Go of Human Nature, which manufactures cosmetic products, noted that their company was in dire need of essential oils that could be sourced from the produce of farmers and CARP beneficiaries.

He cited in particular citronella and lemongrass essential oils, which can be derived from local sources but are in short supply for the Philippine market.

Human Nature executives said they found it ironic that they had to obtain their essential oils from other countries like Germany despite the presence of citronella and lemongrass in the Philippines.

Officials of the Elarz Lechon, for their part, said CARP beneficiaries and their families may provide the company with a steady supply of pigs that can be grown in their backyard or in pig farms.

They said the company was working with the Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija to raise a new breed of pigs that can be perfect for the roasting business. The company is opening more than 150 franchises in the Philippines, and is in the process of expanding the franchise business overseas.

Delos Reyes and Meloto agreed to replicate the success of Enchanted Farm in other parts of Luzon as well as in the Visayas and Mindanao.