NAVAL, Biliran– The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Biliran has awarded top-performing agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Biliran province during its first ARBO summit in Eastern Visayas.

According to John Colasito, information officer of DAR Leyte and Biliran provinces, ARBOs that excelled in their respective categories are recognized to inspire them to higher levels of achievement and performance.

“They are game changers in enhancing the quality of life and a multiplier effect in the community. They maximize the impact of government resources and interventions,” Colasito emphasized.

He said 49 of the ARBOs in Biliran province joining the summit are agricultural cooperatives registered with the Cooperative Development Authority.

Almeria Seafarers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ASEMCO) was awarded the ARBO Recruitment Award for posting the highest record of members recruited into the cooperative.

ASEMCO was cited in the Agricultural Credit Award for having the highest number of agrarian reform beneficiaries who availed of agricultural credit loans without collateral. The cooperative was also given the Highest Sales in Marketing of Product Award for topping the sales or revenues of their identified products within a given period.

The Lico Agrarian Reform Cooperative was awarded the Microfinance Award for having the most number of agrarian reform beneficiaries with microfinance services, while the Looc Cabucgayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative was awarded the ARBO Product of the Year for their “romblon” bags and other handicraft products.

ASEMCO, Lico Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Balaquid Agrarian Reform Cooperative bagged the Best ARBOs Managing an Enterprise for their profitable and well-managed operations.

The Villa Farmers Agricultural Association, Villa Cornejo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Salangi-Almeria Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Sanggalang Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Tabunan Multi-Purpose Association, and Villa Caneja Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association received awards for their successful transition from an association to a cooperative, registering either with CDA or SEC.

Special awards were given to Villa Farmers Agricultural Association, Imelda Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Union Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Talustusan Agrarian Reform Cooperative.

DAR 8 Assistant Regional Director for Administration Ismael Aya-ay was proud that the organized ARBOs in Biliran province in the past have flourished and survived. He also recognized their crucial role in the delivery of support services as a conduit of government assistance.
(RSV with reports from John Colasito, information officer of DAR Leyte-Biliran)

ORMOC CITY-Death comes to a call center agent who was on his way to work after he was bumped by two vehicles while crossing the highway towards his workplace at about 8: 30 pm on Friday (May 24) along a national highway in Barangay Dayhagan, this city.

The victim was identified as alias “Sam”, 46, workforce manager/ call center agent, a resident of Omandac Apt. Manol Tisa Cebu City.

Involved vehicles and drivers over the death of the victim were a Hyundai Eon Hatchback, color white, driven by alias “Makmak”, 28, a resident of Redcross Village Brgy. Bagong Buhay here, and a JMC Aluminum Van, color white and silver, driven by alias “Tope”, 33, a resident of Sitio Kanlipasan Brgy. Salvacion Ormoc City.

Initial investigation conducted by responding officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit disclosed that both vehicles were travelling in the opposite direction.

The police said that upon reaching the place of the incident, the aluminum van hit the victim who was crossing the road. The police investigator added that due to the impact, the call center agent was thrown to the opposite lane where he was also hit by the Hyundai Eon Hatchback.

As a result, the victim sustained injuries and was immediately brought to Ormoc District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, while both drivers were unharmed.

The responding police theorized that the victim was covering his head with his jacket and failed to see the vehicle coming while he was crossing the highway. Both drivers and the vehicles involved were brought to TEU, OCPO for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu was recovered by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the local police from a farmer during a buy-bust in Biliran, Biliran.

Police identified the arrested suspect as alias “Jay”, 32, and a resident of Barangay Pinangumhan where the sting operation took place at about 5:27 pm.

Recovered from the possession of the suspect was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P1,000.

Charges of violation of Section 5 (selling illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of the local police. (ROBERT DEJON)