DAR ready to distribute Boracay land to farmers

The awarding of land in Boracay to farmer-beneficiaries under the government’s agrarian reform program may start within six months, in time for the reopening of the resort island, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said yesterday.

David Erro, DAR undersecretary for policy, planning and research, said they initially identified four hectares of agricultural land on the island which could be distributed to farmers. These are located in Barangays Manoc-Manoc, Balabag and Yapak.

President Duterte had promised to give Boracay land to farmers after declaring that the 1,032-hectare resort island is an agrarian reform area under the law.

“Actually, land distribution can be done within six months. We just need to coordinate with other agencies doing cleanup and rehabilitation work on the island,” Erro told reporters.

“The four hectares that DAR estimated can be cultivated by farmers and subject to the agrarian reform program though we are set to conduct site inspection in those areas,” he added.

Erro said they would verify first the farmers on the island who are qualified beneficiaries of the land reform program.

“The beneficiaries should be landless and residents of Boracay for at least 15 years. But we will be prioritizing indigenous people on the island,” he said.

Agrarian Secretary John Castriciones will visit Boracay next week together with the department’s regional officers.

Foreign residents to be checked

The Bureau of Immigration would revalidate the papers of foreigners who have found a home in Boracay, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

“Entry to the island will be restricted to residents and duly-authorized government personnel, workers and resort workers involved in the rehabilitation work,” the DOT said.

The inter-agency task force Boracay is composed of the DOT, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Tourists would not be allowed into the island and will be stopped at the jetty port in Malay, Aklan during the sixmonth closure.

“No visitors of Boracay residents will be allowed except under emergency situation with clearance from the security committee,” the DOT said.

Residents, workers, resort owners would be allowed to enter the island, subject to the presentation of identification cards specifying residence in Boracay. All governmentissued IDs are acceptable as long as these are accompanied with barangay certification of residence.

IDs not for sale

Officials of Boracay denied reports that barangay leaders were selling IDs to nonresidents ahead of the resort’s shutdown next week.

Only residents, government officials and media will be allowed to enter Boracay throughout the six-month closure.

In Barangay Balabag, reports said that barangay officials were asking P200 for the issuance of a resident ID, P250 for transients and workers and P500 for foreigners.

“I only signed the issuance of IDs to individuals who have been residing in Boracay for more than six months. We don’t issue IDs to just anyone,” Barangay Balabag chair Lilibeth Sacapano said.