ABOUT 55-hectare land covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) were distributed to farmers in northern part of Negros Occidental.
In Escalante City, about 15 hectares situated in Barangay Paitan were awarded to 18 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) recently.
DAR-Negros Occidental I said these were distributed through land acquisition and distribution (LAD) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper).
Under which, public and private agricultural landholdings are acquired by the government to be distributed to tenants, farmers, farmworkers and other tillers who are qualified to become ARBs.
This will be in the form of certificate of land ownership award (Cloa) covering one contiguous tract or several parcels of land cumulated to a maximum of three hectares per ARB.
This is anchored on the agency's aim to provide lands to landless farmers and farmworkers, guarantee the farmers' land security, deliver social equity, and provide them with the necessary productive resources needed to ensure their economic viability and productivity, it added.
For her part, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maritess Resano told farmers that "we, in the DAR, are fulfilled to have performed our tasks in providing you the land you deserve."
She urged them not to forget their responsibilities as land owners.
In Cadiz City, at least 40 hectares were distributed to 45 ARBs in a distribution and installation rites held recently.
Of the distributed land, about 22 hectares situated in Barangay Magsaysay were formerly owned by Agustin Javier and Lucresia Javier.
The remaining 18 hectares located in Barangay Cabahug are properties previously managed by Mary Joan Gidor.
These are also acquired through LAD.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Antonida Yulo urged farmer-beneficiaries to protect the land provided by the government.
"Make the land productive, engage in a progressive farming and business ventures, and keep in mind to pay your taxes and other obligations as new landowners of the land," she told ARBs.
With Negros Occidental still under the modified general community quarantine, the activities have complied with minimum health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health.
"Such continuous field activities conducted by the agency are evidence that despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the service for the Filipino people lives on," DAR-Negros Occidental I said.