DAR says: Distribution of remaining land would not be easy

CEBU, Philippines – The regional office of Department of Agrarian Reform said distributing the remaining balance of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program will not be easy due to time constraints.

Agrarian reform officers in Central Visayas said that the instruction from their main office is somewhat difficult to complete since they only have three months to accomplish everything.

Since CARP is extended by Congress only until June 30 following the six-month extension, all regional field offices are directed to settle all the balances on or before the deadline.

Senior agrarian reform officer Marietta O. Fabello said that in Central Visayas, there are 70,318 hectares of workable balance broke down to 7,853 hectares in Bohol, 22,970 hectares in Cebu, 38,926 hectares in Negros, and 569 hectares in Siquijor.

Fabello said that the DAR central office already provided a system for the wiping out of the balance but trainings were provided only last month.

She said that the training should have been given as early as December last year so they will have sufficient time to finish the task.

DAR-7 information officer Angelina Manubag said the process in land distribution faces many hindrances which usually cause the delay, explaining that DAR is not the only agency implementing the CARP.

Being the lead implementor, DAR coordinates with other agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Land Registration Authority, among others, for the implementation of CARP.

Among the hindrances are the slow processing of documentary requirements, the land survey, the long process of identification of beneficiaries and resistance from land owners.

Manubag however said that they are still hopeful to finish the task until June 30. DAR also hopes that there will be an extension of CARP in the near future.

In May, DAR will hire thousands of enumerators in its effort to prove Congress that the program deserves to be extended. These enumerators will do the profiling of CARP beneficiaries. - Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)