/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — About 300 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their families in Bago City, Negros Occidental were treated to a gift-giving surprise by employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Friday.
The beneficiaries, who were from Barangay Bacong, included at least 100 senior citizens, 70 families, and 70 day-care children who received Noche Buena packages and other gift items.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Teresita Mabunay said the activity, called “Pinutos sang Kalipay” (Bundles of Joy), is an annual tradition of the agency under its Gender and Development (GAD) Program.
“This gift-giving outreach program of the men and women of DAR is an initiative to make the Christmas celebration of our ARBs worthy and memorable, bringing joy and hope to some families in need,” Mabunay added.
She noted that aside from land acquisition and distribution, DAR has other programs and services.
Mabunay was joined by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Enrique Paderes and personnel of DAR Negros Occidental-II, covering the southern part of the province, during the gift-giving activity.
Senior citizen Nemia Gayagas, one of the recipients, said they are thankful that despite the bad weather that brought heavy rains, the DAR employees still came to visit them.
Both children and adults were also treated to games and surprises provided by a fast food chain.
