DAR-Aklan Leads Operation Tabang For CARP Farmers

The first batch of five hundred (500) agrarian reform beneficiaries will receive relief-assistance generated by the Department of Agrarian Reform in Aklan from various donor organizations such as the Provincial Government of Aklan, the Congressional District Office, Office of Vice Governor, NGO partners such as Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Soroptimist International of Kalibo, the Archbishop Gabriel M Reyes Memorial Foundation, Boracay Development Foundation, Sto. Nino Filipino –Chinese Catholic Ladies Association on August 8, 2008 at Bacyang, Madalag, Aklan.
Aklan DAR personnel contributed cash and provided clothing for the farmers as a way of giving back to the clients of CARP. On August 8, the country is observing the 45th anniversary when Pres. Diosdado Macapagal signed RA 3844, the Land Reform Code of the Philippines.
Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer initiated the "Operation Tabang" in response to the plight of the agrarian reform beneficiaries who directly suffered from the destruction brought by Typhoon Frank last June 21. DAR records show that of the 12 agrarian reform communities, 6,066 beneficiaries were affected, 2,084 houses of farmers totally destroyed while 2,912 homes were partially damaged.
Simultaneous with the relief distribution will be a Medical Mission sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Kalibo through its in-coming president, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo and outgoing president. Dr Lyn D. Salido.
Governor Carlito S. Marquez, chair of the Aklan Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council facilitated the release of 50 sacks of rice to be distributed among the CARP beneficiaries in Aklan. He also lamented the state of some major CARP infrastructure projects that were damaged due to the typhoon such as the Timbaban Bridge that joins the town of Madalag to Malinao. Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores donated ten boxes of sardines for this relief mission.
The next batch of relief distribution will be for the farmer-beneficiaries of Libacao, Aklan. /MP