TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu emphasized the importance of youth and nongovernment Organizations’ engagement in various DAR initiatives in an interview last on April 29 at the ‘Kapihan ha PIA.’
“The sons and daughters of farmers know that our office can’t afford to provide sufficient resources to every farmer there is. For that, we are encouraging them to benefit from the government’s grant by being a scholar or by taking part in DAR programs. Truth is, we are really moving however, it is upon the discretion of the young generation today whether they will grab the opportunity or not especially that they are being influenced by what they see or hear in social media and such”, Yu expounds.
The different programs led by DAR are a great opportunity for NGOs as well because they may take the initiative in coordinating with the office and present a proposal stipulating the mobilization of any agrarian reforms-related activities.
Further, Yu also expressed that DAR is monitoring those organizations in Visayas State University (VSU) affiliated to their office for they are the leading organization in technology for farming and agriculture. Thus, DAR taps technology and action-based organizations to help them implement their activities.
Until the present, Yu still encourages NGOs and youth especially agriculture graduates to become farmers or young entrepreneurs themselves.
“We actually have agriculture graduates here in the region who are performing very well. I can see that there’s a lot to improve with these young adults through the help of DAR”, Yu said.
The government agency is welcoming those who would want to learn more about agrarian reforms – may it be the youth, non-government organizations, or other institutions as long as they are willing to be trained.
(JANUS CAMILLE A. BERDAN, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)
Fiesta season
No matter the crisis, people still find ways to share the graces of the year that was by feasting with visitors during fiesta celebrations. Many complain about the hardships of daily living but always find the grace to join the community of the faithful in thanking God by celebrating the feast of Saints. It is during summer that fiestas are aplenty.
The industrious one may just go fiesta hopping and survive for a month or two on a variety of menu. While it seems impractical to feast on loan, many would still resort to borrowing just to fulfill the grace of the celebration. Whatever strategy one may use to prepare for bountiful celebration, there is always a way to find enough preparation.
Those who do not believe in hosting fiestas for financial reasons are free to live by their conviction. But the many believers still choose to celebrate in thanksgiving to God for the graces and blessings received. The blessings may appear insignificant to the public eye but for the faithful, any grace received is worthy celebrating a feast in thanksgiving.
No one has come out claiming receiving abundant graces as a result of celebrating fiestas. Tracing the causal connection may just be too tough a task if only to prove that there are rewards in fiesta celebrations. On the other hand, even when one ekes out and borrows just to celebrate and give thanks, we too have not heard of anyone becoming poor due to celebrating fiestas.
The practice is really a matter of faith truly dependent on the spirituality of the person. While some argue that fiestas are counter-productive, many are still embracing the religious tradition. We are just at the onset of the month noted as the peak of fiesta celebrations. Many of the less-fortunate and economically poor take advantage of the season but gracious hosts do not mind sharing the graces in these once a year celebration.
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