2,095 farmers from Davao Region received land titles

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones award the Certificate of Land Ownership Award to farmer-beneficiary Eleuteria B. Chacon (middle).

Matina, Davao – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, together with Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones and Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol led last Friday, March 15, the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 2,095 landless farmers from the Davao Region at the University of Mindanao Gym, Matina, Davao City.

A total of 4,525.5617 hectares of agricultural land were distributed. These farm lots are located in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Compostela Valley, and Davao City.

“This gathering is the manifestation of our firm commitment to uphold the welfare of our farmers as important contributors to our country’s agricultural development,” said Duterte-Carpio.

In a row are nine farm trucks and one harvester turned over to select Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Davao Region by the DAR.

She also extolled the effort of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and encouraged the agency to further speed up the distribution of agricultural lands to the landless farmers.

“To achieve peace and development, I reiterate the need to fast-track the land reform program in our country,” added the Presidential daughter and mayor.

Duterte-Carpio also cheered on the farmers to develop the land they received.

“I congratulate all the farmer-beneficiaries and I hope that this milestone will inspire you to work even harder towards an improved quality of life for your family”.

One of the recipients of farm lots, 64 year-old Eleuteria B. Chacon from Panabo City, Davao del Norte is thankful for the land title received.

“Hinintay namin ito mula 1995. Sobrang saya ang naramdaman namin ng mga kasama ko. Hindi namin inasahan na matatanggap namin ang ibedensiya ng landownership namin ngayong taon,” said Chacon.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, together with Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones, and Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol award the Certificate of Land Ownership Award to farmer beneficiary Dioscoro Lindayao, Sr. (third from left).

“Ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagsasaka sa lupa. Patuloy naming aalagaan at hindi namin ito pababayaan,” she added.

Aside from the distribution of land titles, the DAR also turned over nine farm trucks worth P3.6 million each, one harvester, and bags of farm seeds to qualified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs) in the region.

The turn-over of farm equipment was followed by the presentation of a check worth P10 million pesos to the DAR from the Department of Agriculture to fund the lending program initiated by the two agencies for the farmer-beneficiaries.

Provision of support services is one of the major components of the DAR to provide assistance to the beneficiaries in managing the awarded land and make it more productive.

Castriciones encourages all farmer-beneficiaries to join ARBOs in their respective provinces because these are the channels where the DAR funnels its support services, such as farm facilities, trainings, loans, institutional development interventions, infrastructure projects, and other programs.

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