In line with its continuing efforts to enhance inter-agency collaboration, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region V Extension Office participated in a Levelling-Off Meeting organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) held last October 21, 2025 at the DAR Provincial Office in Camarines Sur. This initiative was participated by DAR Central Office Representative through Preciosa C. Osit, DAR Region V Assistant Regional Director for Administration Herald R. Tambal along with their respective representative from provinces in the region. On the part of CDA Region V, Assistant Regional Director Engr. Zaldy G. Bermejo, Gilda C. Ragay, Sr. CDS of Registration Section and Marie Chris G. Valencia, Sr. CDS of Cooperative Research Information Training Section took their share in this collaboration.

The activity centered on the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBO) Registration Caravan, a joint initiative aimed at assisting agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations in formalizing their operations with the Authority through harmonizing the latest updates and status of their registration process.

This initiative supports the formation and strengthening of ARBOs by helping them secure legal personality and comply with the Authority and other government agencies’ regulations.

To shed light of the purpose of the activity, Ms. Osit of DAR Central Office shared the rationale and progress of the registration caravan, emphasizing that as of December 2024, only around 54% (5,422 out of 10,086) of DAR-assisted ARBOs nationwide have acquired juridical personality. To address this gap, the Levelling Off Meeting with Department of Agrarian Reform was conceptualized to streamline the registration process, provide technical guidance to field implementers, and mobilize support from local government units and other partner agencies. The program has already achieved positive results in several regions and continues to expand across the country.

Representatives from CDA Region V expressed their commitment to supporting DAR in facilitating the registration and formalization of agrarian reform organizations within the Bicol Region. This collaboration aims to empower ARBs by ensuring their organizations are legally recognized, compliant, and capable of sustaining cooperative development initiatives.

Through this partnership, the CDA and DAR reaffirm their shared goal of promoting inclusive growth, strengthening grassroots organizations, and fostering a more enabling environment for cooperatives and ARBOs to thrive.