'Agraryo Iskolars' vow to sustain DAR program

The Agraryo Iskolars of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has committed to sustain the gains of the DAR program by improving the productivity of the lands awarded to their parents.

DAR has 1,787 Agraryo Iskolars under the President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program (PDMASP).

Agraryo Iskolars from Cebu, Bohol, Oriental Negros, and Siquijor have recently signed a manifesto supporting the continuous implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as well as the scholarship program for children in rural communities.

DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman said the PDMASP improves the educational status of the farmer's children "who will eventually act as agents of change in agriculture and rural development."

Agraryo Iskolars are entitled to free college education with book allowance and monthly stipend.

The DAR chief added that the scholarship program aims to develop a pool of highly motivated, technically equipped and well-educated dependents of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The "iskolars" are enrolled in a four-year degree course in different state colleges and universities nationwide.

The PDMASP was launched in 2003 in honor of former President Diosdado Macapagal who himself was a son of a farmer. He signed the Agricultural Land Reform Code or Republic Act 3844 in 1963. - Jasmin R. Uy