COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Close to 300 farmers on Friday received certificates of land ownership from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The distribution was one of the highlights of the 26th Charter Day celebration of the autonomous region.
A radio report said a total of 711 hectares of land were divided among the farmer-beneficiaries.
Of the total land area distributed, 154.5 hectares are located in Basilan and the rest in Maguindanao.
The awarding ceremony was held at the parade ground of the ARMM’s regional government compound in this city.
The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
DAR regional secretary Amihilda Sangcopan said there are still 967 land ownership documents currently being processed in their office.
At least 480 of the 967 documents are awaiting approval in the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman.