The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Monday said it has strengthened market access in Quezon for local farmers by facilitating a marketing agreement between the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka na Nagkakaisa para sa Kaunlaran (SAMANAKA) of Buenavista and the Public Market Vendors Association of Catanauan, Inc.

The deal ensures that agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) have a stable and ready market for their vegetables and other farm products.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Ma. Gemma A. Esguerra said the initiative was implemented under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (PAHPP), which addresses food security and poverty by providing guaranteed markets for ARB products, strengthening links with institutional buyers, and promoting inter-agency collaboration.

SAMANAKA Manager Rommel Olavario and Ms. Rosario Tan Zulueta of the Public Market Vendors Association led the contract signing.

Under the agreement, SAMANAKA will directly supply its harvested vegetables and other agricultural goods to the association, eliminating middlemen and enabling farmers to earn higher income.

Esguerra emphasized that the project plays a crucial role in connecting ARBs with reliable buyers, ensuring that their produce reaches the market at the right time and at fair prices.
“This partnership gives our ARBs an assured market and opens more opportunities to introduce their products to new institutional buyers,” she said.

She added that DAR continues to coordinate with various markets to expand the reach of ARBO products and sustain long-term market linkages.

SAMANAKA Manager Rommel Olavario expressed gratitude for DAR’s support.
“We thank DAR for making this agreement possible. We assure our partner association — the Public Market Vendors Association of Catanauan, Inc — that we will consistently produce and deliver high-quality products,” he said.

Jail Officer III Jerica Abenilla of Catanauan Municipal Jail also attended the event and delivered an encouraging message, noting their ongoing partnership with the Grupong Magsasaka ng San Nicolas (GMSN) Inc.