DAR orders Luisita land distributed to farmers

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) ordered yesterday the distribution of 358 hectares of land owned by the Tarlac Development Corp. (Tadeco) in Hacienda Luisita to qualified farmer-beneficiaries.

DAR Secretary Rafael Ma-riano said the eight parcels of land in Barangays Balete and Cutcut in Tarlac City have been left idle since Tadeco filed a protest against the land’s coverage under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“The notices of coverage over the land remain valid,” Mariano said.

Tadeco is owned by the family of former president Benigno Aquino III.

Mariano directed the DARTarlac office to proceed with the land distribution in line with Section 30 of Republic Act 9700 or CARP.

He said the DAR regional office should “do all acts and things necessary, including but not limited to securing assistance from appropriate law enforcement officials to ensure that…Tadeco and, or any person acting on its behalf comply with the order.”

He said all ancillary motions filed by Tadeco had been denied for lack of merit.

Luis Meinrado Pagulayan, DAR undersecretary for legal affairs, said the landholding has been declared an agricultural land since 1988, contrary to the claim of Tadeco.

Joseph Canlas, Kilu - sang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman, welcomed the DAR order, saying it would serve as “an added weapon for farmworkers against the Cojuangco family’s continuing scheme to evade land distribution.”

”Ka Paeng (Mariano’s) order is a challenge to the Cojuangco family’s resistance to change,” Canlas said.

Meanwhile, Marcos Risonar Jr., DAR undersecretary for field operations, said it would take at least six months for DAR to screen potential beneficiaries.