The benefits of being federated

PARPO II Gaveria expresses his appreciation to the assistance of BARC in DAR’s activities.

DAR Sorsogon’s Legal Division headed by Atty. Gilmar S. Nasayao sponsored the BARC Training on Mediation and Negotiation on April 2, 2018 for the fifty-four (54) Officers of Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) in Sorsogon City. 

PARPO II Leonito M. Gaveria expressed his deep appreciation to the BARC Officers for their acceptance in this noble duty of a CARP implementing partner in the barangay level. Most people thought that their function is just similar to the Barangay Lupon who facilitate in resolving local disputes. Some are unaware that they have also part in the effecting and facilitating in the land transfer, and in accessing provision of support services. 

Unfortunately, BARC is a self-help organization. Despite their important functions which sometimes is also risky, the government has no fund allotment for their salary or honorarium, or any other allowance and supplies. However, there are many ways to raise fund or to access support, but only when they are federated. That is what MARPO Norberto D. Laguna realized, so he took the initiative of forming them into federation in coordination with MARPO Lucy G. Bailon. 

“When I saw the opportunity to provide the BARC Officers with trainings through the Grassroot Participatory Budget (GPB) in partnership with Sorsogon City LGU, I called the fifty-four BARC Chairpersons within the Sorsogon City which includes Bacon District to attend the Basic BARC Orientation Seminar and Leadership Training. Right after, we set the learning journey on May 27-28, 2014 for the first batch, then on October 13-14, 2015 for the second batch where they personally heard the BARC Federation’s experiences in Pili Camarines Sur, so that they may be inspired to form their own federation,” MARPO Laguna said. 

On the 28th anniversary of CARP, June 10, 2016 they finally registered their group in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with the name Sorsogon City Barangay Agrarian Reform Council Federation, Inc. As a federation, they were able to secure a BIR license to operate business and opened a Bank Account. On April 27, 2016 they started to generate fund by sponsoring a Baraylihan. As a result of this endeavor, they were able to conduct regular meetings and enjoyed Christmas party with their colleagues. Most of all, they now have a voice in lobbying for trainings, just like this Mediation and Negotiation Training where they learned some techniques in resolving local agrarian disputes. #