Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to more than 6,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Negros Island Feb. 8 and 7.
Cruz distributed CLOAs, covering 4,729 hectares of land, to 4,754 ARBs in Brgy. 2, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental Feb. 8.
Mayor Maria Gina Lizares welcomed Cruz and his delegation to the city, where they distributed lands located in 17 municipalities and cities of Negros Occidental.
Due to the coronavirus restrictions, the 4,754 ARBs were represented by 50 ARBs from Sipalay and 20 from Victorias and Talisay, a press release from the city said.
Present at the event were DAR OIC undersecretary for Field Operations Office Elmer Distor, assistant secretary FOO Joey Sumatra Jr., regional director Sheila Enciso, assistant regional director Lucrecia Taberna, and DAR Sipalay City Office personnel.
In Negros Oriental, 1,299 landless farmers of the province received their CLOAs, covering around 782 hectares of agricultural lands, in a ceremony led by Cruz in the town of Manjuyod Feb. 7.
Cruz said the activity sets off a good start of the year for the farmers to make their lands more productive. “The lands you have been tilling for years are now officially yours. Take good care of your land titles because you can pass it on to the next generations of your family,” he said.
Cruz added that the DAR is doing its best to improve the agricultural sector in the countryside to lift the lives of the farmers, and ensure the country’s food security.
The lands distributed in south Negros Oriental included properties in the town of Mabinay with 242.6841 hectares; Bayawan, 43.6656 has.; Tanjay, 24.8265 has.; La Libertad, 22 has.; Sta. Catalina, 15.9533 has.; Pamplona, 14.7992 has.; and Amlan, 4.18 has.
In north Negros Oriental, the DAR distributed 343.7355 hectares in Guihulngan City, and 70.1861 has. in Canlaon City.
DAR Central Visayas OIC regional director Romeo Reyes told the ARBs that the department’s help would not stop in land distribution since DAR will also assist them to enrich their lands through various support services. — NND
