DAR steps up crackdown vs illegal land conversion in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has stepped up its crackdown against illegal land conversion in Western Visayas.

VILLAREAL (Tara Yap)

DAR-6 Regional Director Leomides Villareal ordered the Regional Legal Division to identify violators of illegal land conversion, including premature land conversion.

Premature land conversion is a growing concern in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

Many instances of premature land conversion, which transforms agriculturally land to non-agricultural land, were reported.

Villareal said violators will be issued show-cause orders to explain the alleged conversion of agricultural lands into residential areas or commercial buildings without a conversion order from DAR.

If violators fail to prove that their land was legally converted, cease and desist orders will be issued.

Any government official found to have helped in the illegal land conversion faces perpetual disqualification from public office.