A total of 41 farmers in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental are the latest from southern Negros to receive certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
A report of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-South said the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will share almost 23 hectares of landholdings in Barangay Aranda, which were formerly owned by Fernando Feria.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Lydia Garingo, speaking to the ARBs during the turn-over rites on Wednesday, March 27, said the government will continuously support them through various support services.
Under the land reform program, the DAR has been providing support including, credit assistance, farm machineries, and free agrarian legal advice and consultation to farmers who have land problems.
Garingo urged the farmer-beneficiaries to protect and defend their rights over the land and refrain from engaging in illegal activities, particularly in the “ariendo” system or leasing of land
The farmer-beneficiaries from Hinigaran received their own CLOAs after President Rodrigo Duterte, with Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, awarded land titles to 2,495 ARBs in Negros Occidental during the turn-over ceremony held in Sagay City last March 8.
The distributed acquired lands came from 141 landowners in eight cities and 11 municipalities in both the northern and southern parts of the province.
At least 12,000 hectares of acquired land in Negros Occidental are expected to be distributed to ARBs in the province this year. (PNA)
