Laoag city: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have joined forces to enhance a school-based feeding program by utilizing products from agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). The initiative aims to provide nutritious food to learners while offering a stable market for farmers' produce.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty project, as explained by Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rommel Aquino, offers dual benefits by connecting consumers with producers. This collaboration ensures that children receive healthy meals, and farmers gain consistent demand for their products. Aquino shared that DAR will play a crucial role in connecting ARBs with DepEd authorities to supply food items for the supplementary feeding program.

The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed by DAR and DepEd-Laoag officials at the Schools Division Office mini conference hall. Additionally, the Philippine Carabao Center has pledged its support by providing high-quality milk sourced from local dairy farmers to further enhance the nutritional intake of students.

Joann Corpuz, the schools division superintendent of Laoag City, expressed that these collaborations reinforce their commitment to child nutrition and rural development. By involving local farmers and dairy producers, the program aims to be both effective and empowering. The DAR, along with other government agencies, is actively involved in developing, packaging, and linking local products with children's supplemental feeding programs to combat malnutrition.