457 Western Visayas farmers get land titles

Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones led the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) covering 562 hectares of land to 457 farmers in Western Visayas.

Castriciones, together with Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Support Services Emily Padilla and Regional Director Stephen Leonidas, awarded 549 land titles in Roxas City and in the municipalities of Panay, Pilar, Maayon, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas, Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Sigma, Tapaz, Dumarao, Mambusao, and Jamindan in Capiz.

He also turned over 14 farm trucks to 12 agrarian cooperatives.

Padilla said the trucks were awarded to the farmers’ organizations through the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) program.

Among those who received a land title was 65-year-old farmer, Mabini Bitoon, who said he had waited for over 10 years for his CLOA.

“I am really happy now that I have a land of my own,” said Bitoon, who is tilling an hectare of land in President Roxas.

Castriciones encouraged the farmers to make the best out of their newly titled lands by establishing or joining an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization through which they can be further assisted by the DAR.

“Support services are not given individually. It is important that you join cooperatives our group yourselves into one so that you can readily avail of more aide from the government,” he said.

He also advised the farmers not to sell or pawn their farm lots or to convert them for other uses to ensure food security.