100 farmers risk losing property in Hacienda Luisita

MANILA, Philippines - More than 100 farmer-beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita may not be given their assigned farm lots, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said yesterday.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao said at least 128 beneficiaries have not claimed their lot allocation certificates (LACs) and failed to sign the application to purchase and farmer’s undertaking (APFU).

DAR said the farmers did not undergo these two steps, which are required for them to be finally installed in their assigned property.

A LAC is a document given to the beneficiaries during a lot allocation activity, while the APFU is a legal document required by law and by the Land Bank of the Philippines showing the farmer’s willingness and capability to pay amortization.

Earlier, DAR records showed there were 171 beneficiaries who might not be installed in the farmlands allocated to them.

Parungao said 43 of them appealed to DAR to allow them to claim their LACs and sign APFUs.

He said DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes would resolve the requests of the 43 beneficiaries and check the status of the remaining 128, who are among the two percent of the total number of beneficiaries.

Parungao said 57 more beneficiaries would be installed today.