The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over land titles to 110 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the island province of Guimaras, February 8.
DAR Region 6 director lawyer Sheila B. Enciso, Governor Samuel T. Gumarin, and Representative Ma. Lucille L. Nava led the distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) at the village’s covered gym to beneficiaries from Brgy. San Nicolas in Buenavista town including members of Serum Ati Community.
DAR – Guimaras Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Manuel Velasco said that the process of awarding the 107.4 hectares of land to ARBs started in 1995. The distribution was slated in 2020 but was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Velasco, in a press release of the Guimaras Public Information and Relations Section, reminded the beneficiaries to pay their land taxes and to take care of the land awarded to them as part of their obligations as landowners. in a press release of the Guimaras Public Information and Relations Section.
“Gusto ko lang i-remind sa inyo nga bayaran ninyo ang land tax kay sa land tax dira ginakuha sang aton nga LGUs ang mga panggastos sa social services nga ipanghatag man gihapon sa inyo (I just would like to remind you to pay the land tax because it is from the land tax that LGUs get their expenses for social services that will also be given to you),” Velasco said.
He added that the distribution of lands is one of the thrusts of the government for farmer-beneficiaries to attain better life.
On his part, Gumarin called on the beneficiaries to take care and make use of the land properly that will benefit the community.
“Dapat usaron ang duta sang insakto nga mabenepisyuhan sang komunidad. Take care sang inyo posession kay ini ginhatag sa inyo para magmulumag-an ang inyo pangabuhi (Till your land properly in order to be beneficial to the community. Take care of your possession so that you will uplift your life),” Gumarin said.
The better quality of life of its people is a testament of a progressive community, according to him.
Nava expressed gratitude to the DAR for the realization of the individual land titles for the beneficiaries after the tedious process and long years of waiting.
“I would like to thank DAR sa pagpasilidar sang sini nga paghatag sang original title sang tanan nga mga duta nga inyo man ginpangabudlayan. Sa kadugayon, this is a great opportunity for you nga maangkon na gid ang mga duta nga ginpamataan na ninyo, dira kamo nabuhi. At last, sa subong mangin inyo na gid, (I would like to thank DAR for facilitating this distribution of original titles of the lands that you have also worked hard. After a long time, this is a great opportunity for you to own the land where you raised your children, where you live. At last, now you will own it),” Nava said.
On the other hand, Enciso believes that having the entitlement to the lands they toil will be the key for the farmer-beneficiaries to get out of poverty.Guimaras Information Section/JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo
