GOV.PH
MILAGROS | The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Masbate recently handed over the first lakatan banana tissue culture laboratory, funded under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) project, last June 14, 2025 at Tagbon, Milagros. This momentous occasion adds another significant milestone for DAR Masbate and new hope for its agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
The banana tissue culture laboratory, now being managed by the Tagbon Agrarian Reform Cooperative, aims to provide a more sustainable way of farming for the farmer beneficiaries. This innovation is poised to revolutionize the banana industry in the province, specifically the lakatan variety. The cooperative is expected to play a crucial role in disseminating information on the benefits of tissue culture technology not only to its members but also to the public.
According to Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) for RPBDD, Lerma B. Dino, “This is a first not only for Bicol region but also to the entire DAR community. The tissue culture laboratory will be a game-changer to your cooperative and your livelihood. “
“We hope that you will sustain this project and continue to harness its benefits. The DAR and LGU are here to support you to ensure the long-term success of this initiative. “
The cooperative members will be provided with trainings by our local partner agencies the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Milagros. The impact of this project is expected to be felt beyond the laboratory, with the cooperative becoming the hub for innovation and knowledge sharing in the Bicol region.
Rasty Pastrana, Tagbon AR Cooperative Chairman, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DAR. “This is truly a blessing to our cooperative, this is a testament to our dedication and active participation in the continual improvement of our community. To my fellow members, we are given a great responsibility to ensure the success of this project. Let us strive to make the most with this given opportunity. “
The Lakatan banana tissue culture laboratoy is an excellent example of how innovation and collaboration come hand in hand in delivering development to agrarian reform communities, setting up a new standard for sustainable agriculture.
Also present during the ceremony were Special Asst to OARDA-CARPO Liza B. Repotente, Planning Officer IV Hipolita Altavano, SARPO-RPBDD Aileen Menguilla, OIC-PARPO II Amadeo C. Cediño, Jr., OIC-PARPO I Norberto I. Esquillo, OIC-CARPO Ma. Theresa B. Bacayo, MAO-Milagros Ramir Obnias, MARPO Arturo Candeleja III, PBDD and DARMO personnel.
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