By PR | 07:10 PM May 20, 2024
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) successfully distributed titles to farmers and landowners during the formal turnover and titling of territory under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Program in Region 7 including Bohol on Monday, May 20.
Also included in the ceremony was the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) through Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in partnership with DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III held at the Bohol Cultural Center, Tagbilaran City.
During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2022, Marcos vowed to provide support services, implement land distribution and improve the living conditions of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
The balances of unpaid obligations of ARBs to landowners shall be assumed by Land Bank of the Philippines and DAR will issue a certificate of condonation to be annotated on the beneficiary’s emancipation patent or CLOA.
During the event, 415 titles were distributed to 317 ARBs totaling 265 hectares of land, and P1.5 billion dedicated for farm to market roads.
As part of the support services given to the ARBs, scholarships are also given to ease the burden of paying fees for the education of their children.
The distribution was made simultaneously with the provinces of Negros and Cebu via livestreaming.
The endeavor will also help move forward in achieving a food secure and self-sufficient province as the documents handed serves as an inspiration to increase their production and contribute to the betterment of their communities.
Present during the ceremony were Undersecretary Luis Pañgulayan, Assistant Secretary Virgilio Mendez, Regional Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ronald Pumatong; lawyer Abel Damalerio representing Cong. Edgar Chatto and Special Assistant of the Regional Director Grace Fua.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado gave an inspirational message when he graced the event.
“Kahibalo ako nga dugay na ninyo kining pangandoy, mao nga nalipay usab kita nga makadawat kamo sa mga titulo gikan sa DAR nga maoy nagasimbolo sa pila ka tuig ninyong pagpaningkamot,” the governor said.
He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the parcels of land received from the government.
“Magtinabangay ug magkahiusa kita aron palamboon pa ang atong agrikultura kay kini maoy usa sa mga susi alang sa pag-uswag sa atong mahal nga probinsya,” Aumentado concluded.
The participating clusters were Tagbilaran which includes the towns of Catigbian, Tubigon, Antiquera, San Isidro, Loon, Maribojoc, Cortes, Baclayon, Pangao, and Dauis.
Meanwhile, the Ubay cluster is composed of Bien Unido, San Miguel, Danao, Trinidad, and CPG together while the Talibon cluster has Clarin, Inabanga, Sagbayan, Buenavista, Getafe, and Dagohoy.
The Carmen cluster covers Lila, Sierra Bullones, Pilar, Batuan, Dimiao, Bilar, Loboc, Loay, and Sevilla while the Jagna cluster covers Alicia, Mabini, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, Guindulman, Candijay, and Anda.
The agrarian reform beneficiaries were given assistance to help improve their livelihood as part of the Strategic Change Agenda of the provincial government to make a smart, resilient and inclusive Bohol. (PIMO/RJG)
