North Cotabato's newest ARC to benefit over 3,500 families

Monday 13th of August 2012

KORONADAL CITY, Aug 13 (PIA) --At least 3,561 families or 16,883 individuals in 12 barangays of Makilala, North Cotabato are expected to gain from government development efforts with the recent launching of the Makilala Southwest Agrarian Reform Community program.

According to a report from the Information and Development Communication Division of the Office of Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza sent to PIA 12 today, the ARC program is aimed at raising the average income and improving the living conditions of the beneficiary households, whose average annual income was only P P37,536.

Development projects envisioned for the ARC communities include fruit trees production, draft animal dispersal and establishment of an agri-enterprise project.

Infrastructure such as health stations, potable water supply, bridges and post harvest facilities were also indicated in the development plan.

The ARC program, which was launched on July 18, covers the barangays of Santa Felomina, Bato, Guangan, Cabilao, Luayon, Villaflores, Rodero, Malungon, Malabuan, Kawayanon, New Bagiuo, and Sto. Niño involving at least 13,564 hectares.

Municipal Agrarian Officer Engr. Rodolfo Vinluan explained the municipal agrarian reform office in cooperation with the land management sector of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) began the assessment of the 12 barangays in 2007.

At the launching Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan thank Gov. Mendoza for allotting P30 million for the construction of several infrastructure projects in different barangays of Makilala.

In response, Gov. Mendoza said the implementation of the ARC program in Makilala was a result of the positive rating that the province has been receiving, which she emphasized was largely due to the strong cooperation between the provincial, municipal and barangay officials.

“Modesty aside, Cotabato province is performing very well and I am happy to announce that next year, there will be an additional 130 Million for health because the Department of Health observed that the health centers they funded were utilized properly,” the governor said.

She also advised the new ARC beneficiaries to perform well to receive more projects in the future and reminded them that project implementation is being closely monitored.

Thanking both the provincial and municipal officials for the implementation of ARC program in the area New Baguio chairperson Noel Ladaga, is confident the ARC program means a brighter future for the community.,

Makilala Southwest ARC was approved in December 2011; it is the 33rd ARC in North Cotabato and the 4th in the Makilala. (DEDoguiles-pia 12/SGJH-IDCD-PGO Cotabato)