Talisay city: The Department of Agrarian Reform-Negros Island Region (DAR-NIR) is showcasing the success of Negros Occidental in the implementation of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) program as it hosts the Nationwide PAHP Knowledge Sharing and Trade Check until Friday at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Negros Occidental has emerged as a national model for PAHP through strategic partnerships with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Philippine Army, and private institutions. Since its launch in 2016, the PAHP has been designed to combat hunger and poverty, ensuring food and nutrition security for marginalized communities by connecting agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) with institutional markets. This approach has provided a sustainable source of income and reduced poverty in rural communities.
In 2024 alone, ARBOs across the province have generated PHP477 million in sales. This substantial achievement has not only provided stable income for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) but also secured a consistent food supply for partner institutions. Based on nationwide PAHP accomplishments and updates from January to July this year, DAR Negros Occidental 2 (South) recorded the highest sales among provincial offices, with total sales amounting to PHP573.843 million.
Two private institution-partners in southern Negros, sugar mills Universal Robina Corp. (URC) La Carlota and Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Co. (Biscom) Inc., also posted the top two highest sales among institutional partners. URC La Carlota generated total sales of PHP353.913 million, while Biscom Inc. reached PHP219.579 million. These numbers were achieved through the efforts and dedication of the Enterprise Development and Economic Support Section of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program Division.
Part of the four-day activity was the introduction of a monitoring and evaluation tool for ARBOs, alongside the highlighting of best innovative and good practices (BIGPs) that can be replicated nationwide. These initiatives aim to align local strategies with the broader national goal of strengthening PAHP implementation across regions. In a move to continue strengthening partnerships, officials of DAR-NIR and BJMP-NIR signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize and expand market opportunities for ARBOs in the region.
