DAR Zamboanga Sibugay Reclaims Overall Crown in Araw ng Ipil Agri-Fishery Booth Competition

Daphne Santuyo

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Zamboanga Sibugay continued its winning streak after PaninDAR de Sibugay captured the Overall Champion title for the second consecutive year in the 2026 Agri-Fishery Trade Fair Booth Competition, one of the featured events of the 77th Araw ng Ipil celebration.

The winners were recognized during the awarding ceremony held on July 26, 2026, at the Municipal Grounds in Barangay Taway, where participating exhibitors were honored for their exceptional booth displays promoting agriculture, fisheries, and local enterprise.

PaninDAR de Sibugay stood out among the exhibitors with an engaging exhibit that showcased the success stories of Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) and the wide range of quality agricultural products produced by farmers in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The exhibit highlighted fresh produce, processed food products, and other locally made goods, reflecting the agency's continuing efforts to improve the livelihood of agrarian reform beneficiaries by helping them gain wider market exposure and encouraging value-added agricultural production.

DAR Zamboanga Sibugay credited the achievement to the teamwork and dedication of its officers and personnel led by Officer-in-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (OIC-PARPO II) Noemi P. Barretto, with the support of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) headed by Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Romulus M. Perez.

The agency likewise recognized the leadership of Project Management Assistant Officer (PMAO) Christine L. Estenter, who spearheaded the preparation and presentation of the winning booth, together with Ipil Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Edgar Balbuena and the entire DAR Zamboanga Sibugay team.

The annual Agri-Fishery Trade Fair serves as a venue for government agencies, farmers, fisherfolk, and local entrepreneurs to promote their products, exchange best practices, and encourage greater public appreciation for the province's agricultural and fisheries sectors.

According to DAR Zamboanga Sibugay, retaining the overall championship demonstrates the agency's sustained commitment to empowering agrarian reform beneficiaries through enterprise development, product promotion, and stronger collaboration with partner organizations.

The consecutive victory also reflects the growing competitiveness of local farmer organizations and underscores the important role of agriculture in driving rural development and economic growth in Zamboanga Sibugay.