PARC approves P5.9B for farmer support programs

The Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) has approved ₱5.9 billion in funding for key government programs aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure, expanding educational assistance, and creating livelihood opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said PARC, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., remains the country’s highest policy-making body on agrarian reform, coordinating national efforts to enhance rural development and improve the long-term welfare of farming communities.

The funding approval was made during PARC’s 41st meeting on June 15 at the DAR Central Office in Quezon City, presided over by Vice Chairperson and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III.

Estrella said the council’s decisions reflect the government’s continuing push to expand support for farmers beyond land distribution.

“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., patuloy nating pinapalawak ang saklaw ng agrarian reform upang matiyak na ang ating mga benepisyaryo ay hindi lamang nagmamay-ari ng lupa kundi mayroon ding sapat na suporta upang mapaunlad ang kanilang kabuhayan. (Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we continue to expand the scope of agrarian reform to ensure that our beneficiaries not only own land but also have sufficient support to improve their livelihoods),” he said.

“Ang mga programang ito ay mahalagang puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga magsasaka at ng sektor ng agrikultura (These programs are an important investment for the future of our farmers and the agricultural sector),” he added.

Among the approved allocations is the continued implementation of the ₱3.9-billion Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (Bridges Project), which aims to improve connectivity in agrarian reform communities (ARCs) by enhancing access to markets, schools, and essential services.

PARC also approved ₱2 billion for scholarships and educational assistance for ARBs and their dependents, expanding government support for farming families through long-term human capital development.

In addition, the council endorsed the Halal Food Industry Development (HaFID) Project, a three-year initiative designed to integrate agrarian reform beneficiaries into the growing halal food value chain, opening new livelihood and employment opportunities.

To support initial rollout activities, PARC recommended the release of ₱16 million from the Agrarian Reform Fund.

The meeting was attended by representatives from several government agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, Trade and Industry, Public Works and Highways, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Economy, Planning, and Development, as well as the Office of the President, Land Registration Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Land Bank of the Philippines, and stakeholders from both agrarian reform beneficiaries and landowner sectors.