SEC partners with DAR to train farmers’ orgs in Bulacan

The Securities and Exchange Commission- Tarlac Extension Office (SEC-TAREO) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Bulacan Provincial Office officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the SEC- Communication, Advocacy, and Network initiative. The partnership was formalized during a capacity-building seminar held last May 15 at Baliuag City, Bulacan and participated in by 21 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) across the province.

The event featured a comprehensive Orientation on SEC Annual Reportorial Requirements and a Seminar on Financial Literacy and Investment Scam Prevention, designed to strengthen the knowledge, compliance, and financial resilience of ARBOs and their members. 

The MOA was signed by the SEC-Tarlac Director Atty. Richard R. Laus and DAR-Bulacan Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Antonio B. Sanchez, in the presence of Securities Counsel II Atty. Ma. Theresa L. Reotutar and PARPO I Marie Louie P. Cabantac, who witnessed the ceremonial signing.

This partnership underscores a shared commitment between the two government agencies to build the capacity of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations in areas that go beyond land reform, specifically in understanding corporate responsibilities, sound financial practices, and the risks posed by fraudulent investment schemes.

“This initiative is more than a regulatory exercise; it is a mission to empower our people in the grassroots. By enhancing their understanding of financial systems, regulatory compliance, and scam prevention, we are helping them safeguard their livelihoods and invest in a sustainable future,” said Atty. Richard R. Laus, SEC-Tarlac Director.

The capacity-building seminar is part of the Commission’s broader strategy to promote investor education and regulatory compliance in the grassroots, particularly those in the rural and agricultural communities. For ARBOs, which are typically non-stock corporations registered with the SEC, understanding and complying with annual reportorial requirements is essential for maintaining their juridical personality and accessing support services from both the government and the private sector.

“Agrarian reform must go hand in hand with financial and organizational literacy. By equipping our ARBOs with the knowledge to manage their finances and understand their obligations, we are ensuring that they are not only owner-cultivators but also capable economic players,” emphasized PARPO II Antonio B. Sanchez of DAR-Bulacan.

This collaboration between the SEC and DAR-Bulacan marks the beginning of a sustained partnership that will include follow-up trainings, localized information campaigns, and technical assistance to ensure that ARBOs remain not only compliant with regulatory requirements but also financially empowered and protected against investment scams. #