DAR starts identifying beneficiaries for San Isidro land

February 17, 2020, 4:15 pm

DAR field personnel started last week the identification of qualified applicants for the more than 2,000-hectare farm lots in San Isidro, Leyte, which President Duterte wants to be distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte – Farmers from Barangays Daja Daku and Taglawigan in this remote town flocked to the chapel of Barangay Daja Daku last week hoping to be agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) started identifying qualified recipients for the more than 2,000-hectare farm lots here which President Rodrigo Duterte wants to be distributed.

On January 23, the President, during his visit to this town, instructed DAR Secretary John Castriciones to distribute under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program’s (CARP’s) land acquisition and distribution component the said land to the former rebels, so the latter could have something to start a livelihood.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Renato Badilla, who led in the identification process, disclosed that

Farmers from Barangays Daja Daku and Taglawigan in San Isidro, Leyte flocked to the chapel of Barangay Daja Daku to be identified as potential agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). 

 273 potential applicants were registered during the said occasion, however, none from the 262 former rebels showed up at the designated venue.

Badilla explained to those present that DAR will still screen who of them are qualified to become beneficiaries of the more than 2,000-hectare properties owned by the Larrazabals and a forfeited portion by the Leyte provincial government, formerly owned by the MRC Allied Industries Incorporated, which are within the declared special economic zone per Presidential Proclamation 247, s. 2000 issued by then President Joseph Estrada.

According to Badilla, the result of the screening will be announced on a later date after the process has been completed.

Leyte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Renato Badilla explained to those who came during the identification of potential agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in San Isidro, Leyte, that DAR will still screen who of them are qualified, and will return to announce the result on a later date when the process has been completed. 

 

Jose Delis, 69, who worked as a tenant for more than 20 years now in Lot 1-B even before the Muertigues sold their property to MRC Allied Industries Incorporated, expressed his excitement to know that he could own the land he is tilling.

“Pasalamat mig daku nga gitabangan mi ninyo!” (We are thankful that you are helping us.), Delis exclaimed.

Badilla also promised to return to the area for the identification of the former rebels as potential ARBs.

Regional Director Stephen Leonidas added that the forfeited land of the MRC Allied Industries Incorporated will be covered and distributed first under Executive Order No. 75, issued by President Duterte on February 15, 2019, directing DAR to acquire all government-owned agricultural lands for eventual distribution to qualified beneficiaries. ###

2024 Department of Agrarian Reform.