A TOTAL of 110 beneficiaries from Barangay San Nicolas in Buenavista, Guimaras received their Certificate of Land Ownership Award (Cloa) during the distribution ceremony conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on February 8, 2021 in Barangay San Nicolas Covered Gym.
DAR-Western Visayas Director Sheila Enciso, Governor Samuel Gumarin, and Representative Ma. Lucille Nava led the distribution of Cloa to the beneficiaries that include members of the Serum Ati Community.
DAR-Guimaras Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Manuel Velasco said the process of awarding the 107.4 hectares of land to 110 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) started in 1995.
He said the distribution was slated in 2020 but was deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Velasco reminded the beneficiaries to pay their land taxes and to take care of the land awarded to them as part of their obligations as land owners.
"Gusto ko lang i-remind sa inyo nga bayaran ninyo ang land tax kay sa land tax dira ginakuha sang aton nga LGUs ang mga panggastos sa social services nga ipanghatag man gihapon sa inyo," Velasco said.
He added that the distribution of lands is one of the thrusts of the government for farmer-beneficiaries to attain better life.
Gumarin reminded the beneficiaries to make the land productive for the benefit of the community.
He said the ownership rights of the Cloa recipients is their key for a better future.
"Dapat usa ron ang duta sang insakto nga mabenepisyuhan sang komunidad. Take care sang inyo possession kay ini ginhatag sa inyo para magmulumag-an ang inyo pangabuhi," Gumarin said.
The better quality of life of its people is a testament of a progressive community, according to Gumarin.
Nava expressed gratitude to the DAR for the realization of the individual land titles for the beneficiaries after the tedious process and long years of waiting.
"I would like to thank DAR sa pag pasilidar sang sini nga paghatag sang original title sang tanan nga mga duta nga inyo man ginpangabudlayan. Sa kadugayon, this is a great opportunity for you nga maangkon na gid ang mga duta nga ginpamataan na ninyo, dira kamo nabuhi. At last, sa subong mangi ninyo na gid," she said.
DAR Regional Director Enciso believes that having the entitlement to the lands they toil will be the key for the said farmer-beneficiaries to get out of poverty.
"Sana po ay inyong pag-iingatan. Ito po ay inyong linangin, paglaguin at sa susunod po kayo ay magiging mga entrepreneurs, ang mga anak niyo magiging entrepreneurs. Ito po ang inyong susi sa tagumpay," Enciso said. (PR)