BACOLOD City – A total of 48 farmers in Binalbagan and La Castellana towns in Negros Occidental were installed and received land titles in separate rites facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Negros Occidental-South this January.
Seven agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) on Wednesday occupied around 11.1 hectares of landholding in Hacienda Tilangkoy Gamay, Barangay Payao, Binalbagan – in the property previously owned by Consuelo Lopez and Jose Nadie Arceo.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Gloria Cañonero, who led the installation rites, urged farmers to become “productive and empowered ARBs.”
“Develop your lands by availing (of) bundles of support services from various government agencies, especially the DAR,” Cañonero said.
She told farmer-beneficiaries to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities including paying taxes to the government and the annual land amortization.
Meanwhile, a total of 41 farmer-beneficiaries on Jan. 7 received certificates of land ownership award in a property in Hacienda Jimenez, Barangay Mansalanao, La Castellana.
The ARBs are now owners of 26.27 hectares of landholding comprising 57 titles and sub-lots.
The area is part of the 38.74-hectare lot covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform through the compulsory acquisition scheme.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Josephine Yap reminded recipients to exercise diligence in the use, cultivation and maintenance of the land.
“This is not the end of our partnership. That is why we encourage you to strengthen your organization and not to engage in any form of illegal activities,” Yap said.
ARB representative Nestor Monton said they were blessed to receive an early gift from DAR this year.
“This will be a great help to every family in this hacienda,” added Monton.(With a report from PNA/PN)
