THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-North has distributed about 25 hectares of land to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Toboso and Escalante City on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
In Toboso town, 47 ARBs received their certificates of land ownership award (Cloas) covering about 21.8 hectares in distribution and installation rites held in Barangay Salamanca.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Jasmin Castillo, who led the activity, said together with her staff, they urged farmer-beneficiaries to make the land productive.
"We hope that it can uplift your economic stability," she told ARBs, reminding them to keep in mind their obligations as new landowners through one, paying their annual amortization and land tax.
The covered landholding was formerly owned by Lydia Lizares situated at Barangay Bandila in the northern Negros Occidental town.
It was distributed through land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper).
In Escalante City, 22 ARBs also received their Cloas covering four hectares.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maritess Resano, who spoke at the activity, said the land given to farmer-beneficiaries is seen to improve their lives and respective families.
"We sincerely understand your laborious farming responsibilities thus, this activity is about honoring you and your hard work," she told ARBs.
Resano added that land acquisition and distribution are painstaking processes so they want farmers to value the land given to them.
"Never engage in any form of a lease contract and make sure to fulfill your tax obligations and amortizations as proprietors of the land," she also reminded farmers.
The landholding previously owned by Gloria Poblador de la Paz is situated at Barangay Tamlang.
It was also distributed through the LAD process.
The DAR, through Carp, is mandated to acquire and distribute public and private agricultural landholdings to tenants, farmers, farmworkers and other tillers who are qualified to become ARBs.
This is in the form of Cloas covering one contiguous tract or several parcels of land accumulated up to a maximum of three hectares per ARB.
DAR-Negros Occidental said the activities are 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 products and emergency resources.
"Thus, ensuring their economic viability and productivity," the agency said.
With Negros Occidental under the modified general community quarantine, it added that the ceremonies have complied with minimum health protocols set by authorities.