THE World Bank (WB) has lauded the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Split) project, implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas over the past four years.
“I am very happy to see the progress made in Region 8. Based on what we have heard from the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), they are pleased with the Split process, particularly how DAR has conducted the activities under the project, ensuring participation and involvement in decision-making by the ARBs,” said Theresa Quiñonez, WB task team leader.
Quiñonez, along with other WB and DAR Central Project Management Office representatives, personally visited Barangay Borseth in Alangalang, Leyte, for a consultation-dialogue with ARBs who are recipients of the Split project during the 11th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) in the region from March 19 to 21, 2025.
Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, DAR-Eastern Visayas regional director, informed the World Bank that “field validation throughout the region has already been completed, while redocumentation activities by the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers are being monitored daily to ensure that we are able to deliver on our target this year.”
The ISM is conducted jointly by WB and DAR every six months to assess the progress of the SPLIT project and identify areas that need improvement to expedite its implementation.
In related developments, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Renato Badilla stated that surveys conducted by the administration were “more efficient and effective compared to surveys conducted by contractors.”
He added that field activities “were completed in a shorter period with surveys conducted by the administration.”
The Split project, which is funded through a WB loan, is set to conclude in 2027. (Ronald Reyes/SunStar Philippines)