DAR secretary distributes 429 land titles to EV farmers

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones distributed certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Eastern Visayas last week.

Castriciones told reporters that DAR issued 429 CLOAs to the 457 ARBs, effectively transferring to them the ownership of the 638.30 hectares of land in provinces of Leyte-Biliran and Southern Leyte.

“We will intensify CLOA distribution and support services to ARBs in the country in support of the thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to emancipate farmers, especially those in remote villages living below the poverty level,” he said.

Castriciones urged the ARBs not to sell or lease their newly acquired lands, but use these instead to generate income for themselves.

Daniel Pen, Legal Division chief of DAR-Region 8, during the CLOAs distribution, reminded the farmers of their rights, duties, and responsibilities. He warned them of violating the law — leasing or selling their lands— otherwise the issued titles to them shall be cancelled.

Pen encouraged the farmers to take good care of the lands awarded to them for their livelihood, and be responsible to these as landowners.