ILOILO CITY, Philippines — In a major effort to modernize agricultural logistics, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently handed over six cargo trucks to various cooperatives in Passi City, Iloilo. The initiative, announced on April 25, 2026, is part of a broader government strategy to lower transportation costs and increase the income of local farmers.
The trucks were provided under the Sure-ARC (Support Services of the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities) Project, a DAR initiative focused on transforming agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) into resilient agricultural entrepreneurs.
The six cargo trucks were distributed to six key Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs). These organizations can now transport their members’ produce directly to major markets, bypassing expensive third-party hauling services:
- Jagumitan AR Coop
- Dalicanan AR Coop
- Alimono AR Coop
- Mulapula AR Coop
- BACSILLABA AR Coop
- United ARB Association
The provision of these vehicles is expected to bridge the critical gap between farm gates and urban consumers.
- Competitive Pricing: By reducing hauling expenses, farmers can offer their products at more competitive prices while retaining a higher profit margin.
- Product Quality: Faster, more reliable transportation ensures that perishable goods reach the market in better condition, reducing post-harvest waste.
- Sustainability: DAR Region 6 Director Florentino Siladan urged the cooperatives to manage the equipment responsibly, noting that the long-term sustainability of their organizations depends on the proper maintenance of these assets.
Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares expressed his gratitude to the DAR, describing the grant as a “vital step” toward the economic upliftment of the city’s farming communities. Dennis Pama, chairman of the Dalicanan AR Coop, added that the combination of these new trucks and the government’s continued focus on farm-to-market roads has had a transformative impact on their cooperative’s growth.
This local development in Iloilo coincides with national efforts to support the agricultural sector. On April 20, 2026, the Department of Agriculture (DA) also began a month-long toll fee waiver for farm trucks to help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices linked to ongoing international conflicts. Combined with DAR’s machinery grants, these measures aim to stabilize food prices and protect the livelihoods of Filipino farmers during challenging economic periods.