AMID the prevailing circumstances brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-South distributed certificates of land ownership award (Cloas) to 23 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Hinigaran town on Thursday.

The 17.03-hectare property formerly owned by Juan Yssasi located in Barangay Palayog will be divided to the new landowners.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Concepcion Cabaluna, who led the distribution rites, told ARBs to make their land productive, especially by adopting various alternative farming methods to boost their income during this pandemic.

"Our ARBs are also considered as frontliners because they are ensuring food security particularly during this pandemic," Cabaluna said, adding that farmers must closely work with the DAR and other government agencies to avail bundles of support services.

He emphasized that "we are encouraging our ARBs to form their own cooperative to avail support services from the agency especially amid this Covid-19 where DAR never stops providing assistance to ARB organizations."

The official also reminded the beneficiaries to exercise diligence in the use, cultivation, and maintenance of the land and to secure their real property taxes and amortizations at the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Farmer beneficiaries, on the other hand, expressed gratitude on the "blessing" they have received from the DAR.

For his part, Officer-In-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arnulfo Figueroa warned the beneficiaries of Section 49 of DAR Administrative Order 7 Series of 2011 which prohibits the sale, transfer, lease, or any other form of conveyance by a beneficiary of the awarded lands.