The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed 71.8991 hectares of agricultural land to 40 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Manapla town, Negros Occidental before the end of 2020.
The landholding on Barangay San Pablo in northern Negros Occidental is formerly owned by Rosario Coscoluela, DAR said in a statement on Tuesday.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones said the farmer-recipients would also receive support services such as farm inputs, farm machinery, and training, among others, to ensure that their farms would become more productive.
"I suggest that you also join agrarian reform beneficiaries' organizations in your community for you to have an easier access to other support services provided by the government," Castriciones said.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ma. Victoria Delgado, who led the distribution of land said the program is being implemented under the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Delgado explained that through the LAD processes, public and private agricultural landholdings are acquired by the government to be distributed to tenants, farmers, farmworkers, and other tillers who are qualified to become ARBs.
They will eventually receive certificate of land ownership award covering one hectare to a maximum of three hectares for each beneficiary.
She reminded the ARBs of their responsibilities such as regularly paying their taxes and making their land productive.
"Now that you have your own lands to till, take good care of it and secure that it is free from any form of abuse," Delgado added.