MAKILALA, North Cotabato—The Department of Agrarian Reform remains steadfast in carrying on its thrusts and programs as it continues to install farmers to farmlands they till for years.
A total of 545 farmers from seven municipalities in the province of North Cotabato received their respective certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) in a distribution ceremony held at the Municipal Hall here on Friday, Feb. 2.
Last Friday’s event was part of the series of CLOA distribution facilitated by DAR nationwide since the start of 2018 under the leadership of Secretary John R. Castriciones.
The distribution was led by Undersecretary Karlo S. Bello of Field Operations Office, Director Leomides R. Villareal of Public Assistance and Media Relations Service of DAR Central Office, DAR Region 12 Director Nasser M. Musali and OIC-PARPO Cenon Original.
Makilala town Mayor Rudy Caoagdan was represented by Lito Canedo who lauded DAR for the milestone it achieved at the start of 2018.
Canedo said agriculture is among the priorities of the municipal government of Makilala and land ownership is among the factors that will help farmers develop the agriculture sector in the area.
Bello, on the other hand, underscored the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte to help the farmers in the country emancipate themselves from poverty.
Bello also paid tribute to the efforts of DAR officials and employees in North Cotabato for the processing and the actual distribution of CLOAs to the beneficiaries.
“Serving the farmers justice by installing them to the lands they till is a process of eliminating the feudal system of land ownership in the country,” said Villareal.
Villareal challenged the ARBs not to dispose the lands now they own by selling or lease, instead make it productive.
DAR will also provide ARBs with support services in the form of farm-to-market roads, capital, and other farm support, he added.
Data provided by DAR North Cotabato indicate that a total of 849.2077 hectares of lands were covered during the distribution.
Of the total number of agrarian reform beneficiaries, 110 received collective CLOAS while 435 received their respective individual CLOAS.
The data added that a total of 43 CLOAs were distributed to farmers during the ceremony in Arakan town, 97 CLOAs in Kidapawan City, 18 CLOAs in Magpet, 43 CLOAs in Mlang, 91 CLOAs in President Roxas, 16 CLOAs in Tulunan and 237 in Makilala.
Oscar Baylosis, 62 with six children and Anastacio Tuble, 42 were among the ARBs from Arakan town who received their CLOAs on Friday.
Baylosis and Tuble expressed gratitude to DAR and President Duterte for securing ownership to the land they till for years.
Pedro Cagas, an ARB from Makilala town also urged his fellow beneficiaries not to sell the lands now they own.
Cagas expressed happiness upon receiving his CLOA, saying that he has been waiting for it for the last 30 years.