Makato Expands Maunlad Agrarian Reform Community

Officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from the Central Office led in the launching ceremonies of the Makato expanded Maunlad Agrarian Reform Community on January 12, 2007 at the Makato Municipal Hall, Makato, Aklan. Undersecretary Gerundio S. Madueno, Assistant Secretary Kashmir B. Leyretana, Dir. Hugo Yonzon III and party of the DAR Central Office graced the occasion.
Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, Aklan Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer announced that the active coordination of the local government of Makato through Mayor Ramon Legaspi, Jr. and the other stakeholders facilitated the holistic development of this ARC. The program started with the opening remarks of Vice Mayor Hon. Nelson Tapuz. The ARC profile was presented by Mrs. Elma I. Daguno – MARO Makato. The guests from DAR Central Office unveiled the marker. Mayor Legaspi, Jr. stated the ARC investment requirements to which Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito S. Marquez, and Director Alexis Arsenal of the DAR Region 6 presented their respective responses.
Development initiatives to the ARC came from the DAR-ADB-ARCP assistance through various infrastructure facilities, agri-development projects, institutional capabilities as well as environmental and GAD related interventions. The Phil.-Australia Technical Support on Agrarian Reform & Rural Development (PATSARRD) facilitated
the ARC Development Plan as a blueprint for the provision of necessary investments in the ARC where LGU Makato is integrating in their annual plan.
The Makato Maunlad ARC was originally launched in 1995. It initially covered the barangay of Agbalogo and later expanded to eight barangays. Today, Makato Maunlad ARC covers the entire municipality of Makato. At present, there are 14 agrarian reform communities in the entire province of Aklan covering 88 barangays. /mP