By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Task Force Kasanag (TFK) national commander John Chiong demands Department of Agrarian Reform to officially install the 42 agrarian reform beneficiaries of a 100-hectare lot in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City as they are legal holders of a Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) as part of the government’s CARP program since 2003.

Chiong turned over yesterday documents to Jesus Gareza, chairman of the “Bulig Uswag sang Grupo Upod sa Asosasyon” (BUGAS) who sought his help.

Gareza claimed despite holding CLOA, the previous owner of the property continue to till the land as well as get the land’s produced sugarcane for 15 years.

Instead of the income going to the beneficiaries, Gareza said it was the landowner who is benefiting from it.

“It is painful for us because it was awarded to us yet we did not benefit from it,” Gareza lamented.

He recalled that in 2011 the property was taken over through lease agreement but eventually returned to the landowner.

However, Gareza said they decided to take over the property in September this year.

He stressed that DAR has to install them officially as they continue to receive threats and are subjected to court cases.

He said they have tilled the land for generations adding that his grandfather was among the pioneer employees of the landowner.

Gareza and other ARBs are also thankful that the property was awarded to them through the CARP./DGB, WDJ