DAR to launch ‘real-time’ monitoring tool
TO keep the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) “updated” on the issues and concerns related to the implementation of various development intervention projects and livelihood programs in all the barangays in the country, it will roll out a “real-time” monitoring tool.
DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella lll said that the tool will be used for monitoring the activities of their “Barangay Agrarian Reform Committees” (BARCs) put up nationwide.
Estrella stressed that the tool is very important so that they can immediately respond to any contingencies that may arise while implementing their various basic rural infrastructure projects and livelihood programs.
“Our main concern is to get these projects and livelihood programs going smoothly and orderly and ensure that any issues and concerns that may arise will be addressed right away for the benefit of our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to maximize their production and earning potentials,” Estrella said.
Estrella disclosed that the real-time monitoring tool was first installed in May 2021 but was deactivated in the third quarter of 2022 due to issues and concerns relative to the generation of reports by the BARCs about those projects and programs.
Atty. Milagros Isabel Cristobal, undersecretary for Support Services, on the other hand, said that the re-installation of the real-time monitoring tool helps ensure that the implementation of the projects is running on schedule and being carried out according to plans and specifications.
“This will help us avoid unwanted delays and shortcuts, which may cause more harm than good to our projects and programs and ultimately to our ARBs,” she stressed.
Cristobal explained that part of their priority target for the year is to further strengthen the BARCs through various orientation programs to enhance their capacity as the DAR’s frontline services capable of delivering the tasks expected of them.
Besides monitoring the implementation of DAR projects and programs, the BARCs are also involved in settling agrarian-related conflicts on the ground, identifying qualified and legitimate beneficiaries, attesting to the accuracy of the initial “parcellary mapping” of beneficiaries’ farm lots, and coordinating in the delivery of support services.
