DAR gives self passing mark

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones gave his agency a passing grade in performance despite the quarantine restrictions in Luzon during the early months of the new coronavirus pandemic.

“The DAR implementation of a swift and efficient agrarian justice delivery program is on the right track with the help of the department’s zero-backlog campaign,” Castriciones said.

He also paid tribute to the farmers for ensuring enough food for Filipinos as the country continues to deal with the virus.

Castriciones said the farmers are the real strength of the country.

“I want our farmers to trust that agriculture is their key to success. In the first world countries, their farmers are earning big and are treated well by its citizen. We would emulate these countries to empower our farmers by pooling all our resources to improve their economic and quality of lives,” he added.

The Secretary showed his appreciation to them when he visited some of the houses of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) to deliver their certificates of land ownership award in Benito, Soliven, Isabela.

Legal affairs office Undersecretary Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan earlier reported the good news in favor of the ARB with the signing by President Rodrigo Duterte of Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law which condones the interest payment and restructures the principal obligation of ARB.