BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed nearly 1,396 hectares of land to 1,940 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Occidental on Tuesday afternoon.
DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Karlo Bello led the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to beneficiaries from 23 cities and towns, during a ceremony held at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel.
The agency awarded 945.8955 hectares to 1,411 ARBs from 12 areas in northern Negros, while 449.974 hectares were distributed to 529 ARBs from 11 cities and municipalities in the south.
Bello said DAR continues to implement the land acquisition and distribution for lands with notice of coverage.
“Under the law, the leasing and sale of awarded lands are violations tantamount to disqualification,” he said.
After the distribution of CLOAs, Bello said the ARBs are urged to organize themselves into an association or group so they could avail of the department’s various services.
In Western Visayas, the department targets to distribute 12,000 hectares this year, 90 percent of which are in Negros Occidental.
DAR-6 (Western Visayas) Regional Director Stephen Leonidas said the number of cases of “ariendo” or leasing of awarded lands in the region has declined.
Leonidas attributed this to DAR’s interventions, such as strengthening the organization of beneficiaries and linking them with other agencies to avail of credit assistance.
He dismissed claims that the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is a failure due to the lack of support services for the farmers.
Leonidas said the program has actually improved after the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services, sugar block farming, and Agrarian Production Credit Program, among others, which have been handled by the DAR since 2010.
“Our approach is land distribution, provision of legal services, and support services delivery. These three components, also the agency’s thrusts, were strengthened by various innovations,” he added.
Members of different ARB organizations thanked the DAR for the lands awarded to them and assured the agency that they will cultivate the lands well to improve their lives. (PNA)
