DAR holds seminar for geodetic engineers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region-7 conducted a two-day accreditation seminar for some 50 licensed geodetic engineers and contractors from the Visayas and Mindanao regions at the Hotel Asia, Cebu City.

DAR-7 director Rodolfo T. Inson admitted that defective Survey Results (SRs) are often the causes of the delay in the generation of the certificate of land ownership awards and in land acquisition and distribution program of the DAR. Hence, Inson said there is a need to orient the engineers on the new thrusts of the DAR as mandated under RA 9700 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Reforms (CARPER).

DAR assistant regional director for operations, Eliasem Castillo discussed an overview of RA 6657 as amended by RA 9700. He said that under the CARPER an oversight committee will now oversee the implementation of the program, and the DAR must see to it that the remaining balance of the region for acquisition and distribution, which is more or less 50,000 hectares will be acquired and distributed until 2014.

Other matters discussed include RA 9184 –on the Procurement of Goods and Services (Surveys) for CARP Survey Projects, discussed by Atty. Alvin Arante, Chief, Legal Division, DAR Cebu Province.

Director Leandro Caymo of DAR central office talked on the operating procedures in the conduct of bidding and awards of CARP survey projects. He appealed to the geodetic engineers who have on-going or future survey activities with the DAR to do it with commitment – that once they are awarded with the project, they should not abandon but finish it within their time frame. This is truly public service for the beneficiaries who could not be awarded the lands unless the corresponding surveys on the lands are made, he added.

Atty. Esther Nadela, Chief, DAR-7 Legal Division discussed the rights and obligations of the DAR and geodetic engineers as contracting parties, and the Grounds for the cancellation of contracts. The GEs must render the services (surveys) and will be paid by the DAR under the conditions agreed upon in their contract.

Isaganie Yee, chief of the Operations Division of DAR-7 talked on the rules and procedures on request for replacement of lands and DAR endorsement to LMS for verification and approval while director Diana Apistar of the DENR discussed the process flow of inspection, verification and approval of survey returns of DAR contracted land surveys.

Engr. Ariel Reyes of the Land Management Bureau of the DENR central office talked on the amendments of the manual of land surveys, regulations and procedures.

Director Inson emphasized that this is the first time that DAR conducted an accreditation for geodetic engineers and only those who attended the said activity are qualified to bid and contract for surveys on DAR projects. The accreditation is good for two years.   (FREEMAN NEWS)