Sorsogon – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the World Bank held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from 14 municipalities in Sorsogon to assess their needs after receiving their land titles.

The activity was part of the 11th World Bank Implementation Support Mission for Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT), which aims to strengthen land tenure security and help ARBs maximize the benefits of agricultural productivity through the provision of various support services.

During the discussion, many ARBs shared that they are not yet members of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), limiting their access to government support programs. World Bank Senior Land Administration Specialist Kathrine Kelm encouraged them to join or form cooperatives to gain access to crucial assistance.

“By joining a cooperative, you will be able to benefit from government programs, including access to credit, Farm Machineries and Equipment (FMEs), and agricultural training. This is vital for your growth as farmers and entrepreneurs,” Kelm emphasized.

The ARBs also expressed interest in training programs on value-adding techniques for their agricultural products to improve market competitiveness, modern farming methods, and agripreneurship to improve their income and productivity.

In response, DAR SPLIT Regional Project Director Reuben Theodore Sindac assured the ARBs of DAR’s commitment to organizing them into ARBOs.

“Through ARBOs, we can provide essential support services, such as FMEs, financial assistance, and technical training, to enhance your agricultural productivity and economic sustainability,” Sindac stated.

Following the discussion, DAR-Sorsogon facilitated the distribution of electronic land titles (e-titles) to seven (7) ARBs from Bacon, Donsol, and Magallanes, covering a total of 10.8 hectares of agricultural land.

ARB Allan Nazareno, a former farmworker from Juban, Sorsogon was happy for his family. “Owning this land secures my family’s future. We no longer have to share profits with a landowner—we can now fully enjoy the rewards of our hard work,” Nazareno shared.

Similarly, Silvestre and Maya Abella of Bacon, Sorsogon, expressed their gratitude after years of shared ownership under a collective title.

“Before, we had to consult multiple people before making any farming decisions, which often led to disputes. Now, we have complete control over our land and can plant our crops freely without conflicts,” Silvestre said.

The successful FGD and e-title distribution reaffirms DAR’s commitment to not only granting legal ownership of their land but also ensuring the ARBs receive the necessary support to thrive as independent farmers and agripreneurs. Through continued collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders, DAR aims to empower more farmers and accelerate rural economic growth in Sorsogon. (By: Pinky Roque)

DAR, World Bank Nakipagpulong; Namahagi ng E-Titles sa mga Magsasaka ng Sorsogon

Sorsogon – Nagsagawa ng Focus Group Discussion (FGD) ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at World Bank kasama ang mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) mula sa 14 na munisipalidad ng Sorsogon upang alamin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan matapos matanggap ang kanilang mga titulo ng lupa.

Ang aktibidad na ito ay bahagi ng ika-11 World Bank Implementation Support Mission para sa Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT), na may layuning palakasin ang seguridad sa pagmamay-ari ng lupa at matulungan ang mga ARB na mapakinabangan nang husto ang kanilang sakahan sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibaang suporta mula sa pamahalaan.

Sa pag-uusap, maraming ARBs ang nagsabing hindi pa sila miyembro ng mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO), kaya limitado ang kanilang access sa suporta ng gobyerno. Dahil dito, hinikayat ni World Bank Senior Land Administration Specialist Kathrine Kelm ang mga ARB na sumali o bumuo ng kooperatiba upang makatanggap ng mahahalagang tulong.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagiging miyembro ng isang kooperatiba, magkakaroon kayo ng access sa mga programa ng gobyerno tulad ng pautang, Farm Machineries and Equipment (FMEs), at pagsasanay sa agrikultura. Mahalaga ito para sa inyong pag-unlad bilang magsasaka at negosyante,” ani Kelm.

Nabanggit din ng mga ARB ang kanilang interes sa pagsasanay sa pagpoproseso ng ani upang tumaas ang halaga nito sa merkado, makabagong pamamaraan ng pagsasaka, at agripreneurship upang mapabuti ang kanilang kabuhayan.

Bilang tugon, tiniyak ni DAR SPLIT Regional Project Director Reuben Theodore Sindac ang patuloy na pagsuporta ng DAR sa pagsasaayos ng mga ARB bilang miyembro ng mga ARBO.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga ARBO, mas madali naming maibibigay ang mga kinakailangang tulong tulad ng FMEs, pautang, at teknikal na pagsasanay upang mapalakas ang inyong kabuhayan,” ani Sindac.

Matapos ang FGD, namahagi ang DAR-Sorsogon ng electronic land titles (e-titles) sa pitong (7) ARBs mula sa Bacon, Donsol, at Magallanes, na sumasaklaw sa kabuuang 10.8 ektarya ng lupang sakahan.

Para kay Allan Nazareno, isang dating manggagawa sa bukid mula Juban, malaking pagbabago ang dala ng sariling lupa para sa kanyang pamilya.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng sariling lupa ay nagbibigay ng seguridad sa aming kinabukasan. Hindi na namin kailangang magbahagi ng kita sa may-ari ng lupa—sa wakas, mapapakinabangan na namin nang buo ang bunga ng aming pagsisikap,” ani Nazareno.

Ganito rin ang nararamdaman nina Silvestre at Maya Abella ng Bacon, Sorsogon, na maraming taon nang nakikibahagi sa isang collective title.

“Dati, mahirap mag-desisyon sa pagtatanim dahil kailangang kumonsulta sa ibang may-ari ng lupa, kaya madalas nagkakaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan. Ngayon, kami na mismo ang may kontrol sa aming lupa at malaya naming mapaplanong mabuti ang aming sakahan,” ayon kay Silvestre.

Ang matagumpay na FGD at pamamahagi ng e-titles ay patunay ng patuloy na pangako ng DAR na hindi lamang bigyan ng legal na pagmamay-ari ang mga ARB kundi tiyakin din na mayroon silang suporta upang umunlad bilang mga independenteng magsasaka at agripreneur. Sa pakikipagtulungan ng World Bank at iba pang katuwang, layunin ng DAR na mas maraming magsasaka ang matulungan at mapabilis ang pag-unlad ng kabuhayan sa kanayunan.