1st Batch of BARC Officers in Sorsogon granted with Knowledge Journey in Camarines Sur

BARC Officers of 13 barangays in Sorsogon City participated in the Knowledge Journey in Camarines Sur on May 27-28, 2014.

To enhance the capacity of BARC Officers in doing their noble duty as CARP implementers in the barangay level, the BARC Strengthening Project was carried out in Sorsogon City funded under Grassroots Participatory Budgeting. Last year, these 13 BARCs underwent a 2-day seminar regarding the latest issuances on LAD implementation wherein the BARC plays a vital role. The same participants were granted with Knowledge Journey to Camarines Sur.

“When I saw the LGU’s menu under the GPB I didn’t see any infrastructure projects listed there, so we launched this Knowledge Journey because this is an integral component of BARC Strengthening where BARC Officers will directly enjoy and benefit from the project,” says Norberto Laguna, MARPO of City Agrarian Reform Office, Sorsogon City.

These 13 barangays are composed of Sawanga; Balete; Osiao – all from Bacon District; Bibincahan; Buenavista; Gimaloto; Guinlajon; Panlayaan; Salvacion; Abuyog; San Isidro; San Juan; and Ticol – all from Sorsogon District. Sorsogon City is two municipalities merged into one, Sorsogon and Bacon.

On the first day of their knowledge journey, they attended an orientation meeting at DARPO Camarines Sur B where they listened to the testimonies of some BARC Officers from Pili, Camarines Sur about their experiences in handling agrarian cases. According to them, they have accepted this duty with a willful heart because they care about their community. That’s why, even without salary nor honorarium they were able to keep up this duty for so long. “It is better to do work without receiving any payment than receiving payment without doing the work,” said BARC Chairperson Ernesto Aguilar of Brgy. Sirang, Pili, Camarines Sur. They also listened to Nelson Tongco, former MARO of Pili, Camarines Sur as he narrates how BARCs in Pili formed their Federation, the only BARC Federation in the Philippines – the very reason why Camarines Sur B was selected to be visited since Sorsogon is also aiming to form one.

The second day was booked for the visitation in Israel Multipurpose Cooperative, CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, and Pecuaria Multipurpose Cooperative – all are Agarain Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO). The Israel MPC is a producer of Muscovado. Here, the participants saw the different equipment and machineries used in the production of Muscovado, and got some time to talk with its manager about production and marketing.  They were also given sample products which were joyfully appreciated by the participants.

Meanwhile, CamSur MPC welcomes the group with a seminar on Financial Management and Business Services. Upon learning the cooperative’s experience, the group was amazed of its remarkable achievement. Perhaps, one of their “secret” is having officers who are all-young-energetic and fast learners. “Whatever skills we have and strategies we use, we always find time to teach it to young members because we knew that we’re not going to live forever to manage this cooperative. Transferring our knowledge is the key to maintain our growth,” Ms. Lolet Redita, Operation Manager of CamSur MPC, said.

 Going back to Sorsogon, the Knowledge Journey-participants dropped-by at Pecuaria MPC where a short lecture on their beginnings and a seminar on Organic Farming and Production was also prepared for them where they learned the members’ struggles especially in relation to Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD). Here, the old adage “No guts, no glory” applies. Pecuaria is an example of ARBs whose landholdings are under the Collective CLOA yet never had a conflict regarding the boundaries of each of them, but rather they worked as one and benefited as a whole. “If it can apply to us, why not in Hacienda Luisita?” Miller S. Bicaldo, Pecuaria MPC Chairperson said. This ARBO has a store for their products such as different variety of organic rice – their main products along with Coco Sugar, Rice Coffee, Dried Kamias, Herbal Teas, Vinegars, and Wines. Some BARC Officers were enticed to buy particularly organic black rice and coco sugar.

Truly, this Knowledge Journey is very useful. In just a simple way, the participants learned many things which they can copy-paste in their organization. This activity and its recipients who are doing the noble task in CARP Implementation, worth the price.