By Christine Cudis/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) warned its employees against acquiring lots within the agency’s resettlement projects and other agrarian areas.
This was bared by DAR Secretary John Castriciones in an e-mail sent to the Philippine News Agency on Monday.
In an order released earlier, Castriciones said sanctions await personnel who process applications “resulting in the transfer of lots in DAR administered resettlement projects to individuals/entities who are not actually qualified beneficiaries under the agrarian reform program.”
This warning forms part of DAR Administrative Order No. 3, series of 2019, that outlines new rules and procedures in the disposition of home lots in barangay sites and residential, commercial and industrial lots in town-sites within DAR resettlement projects.
The objective of the order is to accelerate the completion of titling of the said parcels of land in the resettlement projects of the agency.
The same AO also describes qualified applicants as Filipino citizens who are residents of the concerned barangays, at least 18 years of age, and should be “willing to occupy and have the aptitude to improve/develop the home lot or other lots within the project.”
Rebel returnees and those affected by disasters or calamities may also apply.
Meanwhile, award limits are set at a maximum of 1,000 square meters in aggregate of residential and commercial lots per applicant.
The mode of disposition, cost of lots, and terms and manner of payments, among other details, can be found in the new order.
“AO No. 1, Series of 1992 and all orders, circulars, memoranda, rules, and regulations or portions thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked or canceled accordingly,” the new order added.
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