Zamboanga city: Eleven Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Organizations (ARBOs) from Zamboanga Sibugay now have easier access to various programs and services from partner agencies of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). On Thursday, DAR-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) announced that these ARBOs have been successfully registered as official cooperatives with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

According to Philippines News Agency, this transition was realized through the ARBO Cooperatives Registration Caravan cum Learning Session, a pioneering initiative jointly organized by DAR-9 and CDA from July 29 to 30 in Zamboanga City. Lawyer Ramon Madro±al Jr., DAR-9 regional director, stated that being CDA registered allows easier access to different programs and services from partner agencies.

He emphasized that the newly registered ARBOs are now better positioned to manage enterprises, receive services, and access wider privileges and benefits under the cooperative structure. The 11 ARBOs include the Masao Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Silingan Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Tomiton Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and several others.

During the two-day activity, the CDA provided comprehensive learning sessions on cooperative concepts, structures, and legal requirements to the participating ARBOs. The activity culminated in the ceremonial awarding of the Certificate of Registration (COR) and Certificate of Compliance (COC), symbolizing the ARBOs' official transition into fully recognized cooperatives.

Aside from CDA, other key DAR partner agencies included the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Land Bank of the Philippines.