DAR Executive Retires With Honors

by ULYSSES ESPARTERO

After 22 years with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Aklan, Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino is retiring as Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) II.

Martelino assumed the post in 1988. He helped many farmers uplift their poor living to self-sufficiency.

Former Aklan Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino said that Martelino deserves commendation for his exemplary leadership, distinguished career, and esteemed standing in public service.

"He could have lived in a more prestigious and financially rewarding life had he accepted other government posts but Atty. Martelino chose and served his fellow Aklanons, Kalibonhons in particular, in the best way he knows possible for which we, proud Aklanons, are truly grateful," Tolentino stressed.

Tolentino and Martelino were colleagues at the municipal council of Kalibo.

It was through Martelino’s leadership that a great number of Aklanons especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries benefited from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) through its landmark physical infrastructure projects worth over Php100 million in Aklan.

This includes the construction of 26 farm-to-market roads spanning 76 kilometers worth Php148 million; building of seven (7) irrigation projects worth Php48.5 million watering 1,493 hectares of riceland.

Through CARP, the DAR Aklan was able to distribute 20,857 hectares of land to 22,544 farmer beneficiaries thus brought meaningful changes into their lives.

DAR Aklan was awarded as an Outstanding Agency during the term of then Governor now Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores.

Prior to his appointment to DAR, Atty. Martelino was municipal councilor of Kalibo, first Personnel Officer of Aklan province in 1977 during the time of then Governor Roberto "Nono" Garcia, Assistant Branch Attorney for 10 years of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Area Manager for Western Visayas in the then Ministry of Human Settlements, and Area Manager of the Presidential Management Staff for Region VI.

For his unquestionable integrity while in government service, Atty. Martelino was chosen as one of the 14 Outstanding Aklanons in 2008. /MP