BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Municipal Office in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental started on Thursday the two-day identification of potential agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) for the land of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) in Barangay La Granja.
The activity was set after the DAR Negros Occidental-II, which covers areas in southern Negros, had a meeting with the residents at the village covered court on Wednesday.
Provincial agrarian reform program officer I Enrique Paderes said in a statement they held a “pulong-pulong” (meeting) as part of the preparation for land coverage, where they discussed its implementation and sought the people’s cooperation to expedite the process.
“We have gained positive feedback from the residents of La Granja,” he said.
Mayor Rex Jalandoon urged those affected to cooperate with the agency in the screening and selection of possible ARBs.
Paderes welcomed the support of the village residents, La Carlota City government, and the UPCA-LGRTS administration.
“We are now excited and determined to bring this project into full realization,” he said.
The area identified for the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) involves the 228-hectare property of the University of the Philippines-College of Agriculture and Food Science (UPCA-LGRTS).
Last month, the DAR announced that the survey of the government-owned land (GOL) was expected to be completed before the end of October.
The implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order 75, Series of 2019 mandates all government agencies to govern the identification, validation, segregation, transfer, and distribution of all GOLs, devoted to or necessary for the purpose for which they have been reserved or acquired for eventual distribution to qualified beneficiaries.
According to the DAR, the UPLB administration has yet to identify the retention areas of the university as confirmed by Dr. Emmanuel Samson, administrator of UPCA-LGRTS.
Lawyer Sheila Enciso, DAR-Western Visayas regional director, earlier said the coverage of the UP land must be completed and distributed to qualified ARBs before the end of the year. (PNA)
