The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) – Maguindanao inaugurated the MASAYA MGA MAMA Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) on Wednesday, December 10, 2024, in Barangay Makat, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur.
The activity was led by MAFAR Maguindanao Provincial Director Ronjamin Maulana, Ph.D., alongside Assistant Provincial Director for Maguindanao del Norte and Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Nur-Amin Caludtiag, CARPO Guiomla Satol, and CARPO Pendatun Mambatawan.
The ARC comprises six barangays in Datu Paglas: Barangay Makat, Barangay Mao, Barangay Puya, Barangay Mangadeg, Barangay Manindolo, and Barangay Salendab.
Assistant Provincial Director Caludtiag described the ARC as a model community that embodies unity and success under the Agrarian Reform Program. “The ARC is designed to serve as a center for transformation and development in the community,” he emphasized.
Director Maulana highlighted the historic significance of establishing the ARC in Datu Paglas. “This initiative is part of MAFAR’s ongoing efforts to create a meaningful impact on the lives of farmers. It plays a crucial role in promoting new ARCs that will help enhance land productivity, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and increase their incomes,” he added.
The Department of Agrarian Reform introduced the ARC Development Strategy in 1993 to prioritize agrarian reform areas. The strategy aims to optimize resource allocation, mobilization, and utilization, ensuring maximum efficiency and impact while addressing the government’s financial and material constraints.
An ARC is defined as a barangay or cluster of contiguous barangays within a municipality where the majority of lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) are awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries.
The event, organized by MAFAR Datu Paglas under the leadership of Municipal Marketing Officer Joffel Pompong, was attended by local and barangay officials, marking a milestone for the agrarian community in Datu Paglas.
This program sets the stage for sustained agricultural development and economic progress in the region, reflecting MAFAR’s commitment to empowering farmers and fostering community growth.