FIFTY Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Maguindanao received Certificate of Land Ownership Award (Cloa) title from the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

Barmm Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim led via Zoom teleconference the handover ceremony of Cloa on Thursday, August 26, held at the regional government center in Cotabato City.

Ebrahim said the agricultural lands, covering an area of 60.1058 hectares and situated in Tanuel village, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, were distributed to farmers, mostly former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants.

Ebrahim urged the beneficiaries to never sell the awarded land, instead "they should take good care of it and develop it for it might be their means of attaining better lives in the future."

"If you are only given money, perhaps you will consume it in few days. However, land given to you will never perish and it could be the source of your continuous income that might improve your current living upheavals," Ebrahim told the recipients of the Cloa title.

The activity was part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform's (Mafar) in Barmm culmination of 1st Agrarian Reform Program and 33rd National Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) month celebrations.

"The Mafar is steadfastly committed in ensuring that all lands awarded are for you to cultivate and develop. It may serve as commencement of strong partnership for flourishing agriculture guild towards attaining economic growth," said Mohammad Yacog, Mafar minister.

He said that Barmm recognizes the role of farmers as true heroes of the region, in particular, and of the country, in general.

“Without them, there will be no food on every Filipino's table,” he said. (SunStar Zamboanga)