DAR ’justice on wheels’ to speed up land distribution to farmers

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has vowed to complete all land acquisition and distribution (LAD) targets of some 42,943 hectares of land as well as declog and fast track resolution of agrarian cases through its “agrarian justice on wheels.”  

DAR top officials, led by Secretary in-charge Rosalina L. Bistoyong, convened their third quarter meeting over the weekend to assess the status of the land distribution for farmers.

They focused on completion of land acquisition and distribution targets, comprising of some 48,000 hectares under the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAS) and CLOAS for subdivision lands totaling to around 42,943 hectares.

“With concerted efforts and effective coordination, we will do and can do it,” assured Bistoyong as she enjoined DAR field implementers for concrete actions and achieve their targets.

The goals include the provision of support services consisting of farm organization and continuing capacity development of beneficiaries and capital through socialized credit and micro finance.

The DAR officials will also intensify transfer of technology, farm inputs and farm equipment distribution to make agrarian reform beneficiaries more productive in cultivating awarded lands.

Bistoyong said the undertakings are meant to stir DAR to a responsive agency of government in collaboration, coordination and convergence with other implementing agencies of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The government agencies include the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources, Justice and the National Housing Authority to improve the living standards among farmer beneficiaries.

Bistoyong believed that with DAR’s renewed commitment and strategic approaches, the agrarian reform department would be able to fulfill its mandate to emancipate the farmers and empower them to become a new breed of small landowners capable of improving their welfare. (PNA)