ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed some PHP22.9 million worth of projects aimed at boosting the livelihood of farming communities in three provinces in the Zamboanga peninsula.
At the same time, DAR has distributed 991 certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) covering 1,422 hectares of agricultural lands in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
DAR Secretary John Castriciones led the distribution of 43 projects and 991 CLOAs, which was held in a simple ceremony on Friday in the municipality of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Castriciones said the projects are implemented under the various programs of DAR. The projects consist of post-harvest facilities, food processing centers, reservoirs, warehouses, potable water systems, and provision of farm machines.
“These projects are significant in achieving progress in rural communities. These facilities and farm machines were implemented not only to make life easier for our farmers, but also to sustain the development of their communities,” Castriciones said.
The projects, especially the farm machines, were turned over to agrarian cooperatives - benefiting more than 13,000 farmers - in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Of the total number of recipients, 5,396 of them are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Castriciones advised the farmers to strengthen their farming cooperatives, a government prerequisite before any assistance is extended to them.
“If you are not yet a member of a cooperative, I am encouraging you to be one because a lot of government support services are given through cooperatives and farm associations,” Castriciones said.
Castriciones also told the farmers that their CLOAs signify their “freedom from the bondage of tenancy.”
“This is the day for us to be happy, because our farmer-beneficiaries finally received their CLOAs that they have been wanting for a long time,” he said.
Marcelino Roda, 76, a coconut and vegetable farmer from Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte, thanked the government for recognizing him as the owner of the land he has tilled for many decades.
“I now have something to leave my son and my grandchildren,” Roda said.
Castriciones also emphasized President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to strengthen the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. (PNA)
