ILOILO City – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has issued a stern warning against premature and illegal conversion of agricultural land in Western Visayas.
Regional Director Leomides Villareal announced that show cause orders will soon be served to violators as part of the agency’s intensified crackdown.
DAR Region 6 has begun identifying cases of unauthorized land conversion, particularly agricultural land converted into non-agricultural use — such as for subdivisions or buildings — without proper approval from the DAR.
“Premature conversion” refers to any development activity that alters the physical characteristics of agricultural land, making it suitable for non-agricultural purposes, without securing the required conversion order from DAR.
“We will issue show cause orders to all those responsible for premature or illegal conversions, including existing buildings and subdivisions on agricultural land,” Villareal said.
Landowners will be given 15 days to present relevant documents and explain their actions. Failure to comply within the deadline will result in DAR issuing cease and desist orders against them.
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 6657, also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, individuals found guilty of illegal land conversion may face imprisonment of one to three years, fines ranging from P1,000 to P15,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.
Government officials involved in such violations could face perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Villareal emphasized the seriousness of the campaign, saying, “Atty. Ian Nandin, chief of DA-6’s Regional Legal Division, will spearhead the identification of violators. We will investigate structures and subdivisions that were developed on agricultural land without proper legal conversion.”
The crackdown follows increasing pressure from civil society organizations and advocacy groups urging DAR to act against the rampant unauthorized conversion of agricultural lands. While DAR-6 has not disclosed the number of targeted landowners, Villareal assured that enforcement efforts are underway.
Section 73 of RA 6657 explicitly prohibits the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural use with the intent of avoiding the law’s application or dispossessing tenant farmers.
Section 65 of RA 6657 permits land conversion only under specific conditions, such as when agricultural land becomes economically unviable for farming or is urbanized. Even then, the process requires an application to DAR, notice to affected parties, and compliance with existing laws.
Villareal issued a fair warning: “Next week, we will begin identifying violators. Show cause orders will be issued, even for those who have already built structures or developed subdivisions illegally on agricultural land.”
He reiterated that DAR’s action aims to uphold agrarian reform policies and prevent agricultural lands from being lost to unauthorized development./PN
