DAR: Land distribution to still continue after deadline

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has allayed fears that land distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program may not continue after its deadline at the end of this month.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao said DAR could still distribute land even after June 30 as provided under Section 30 of Republic Act 9700 or the CARPER Law.

“Section 30 permits DAR to complete the acquisition and distribution of landholdings for which there are pending cases or proceedings. Since a Notice of Coverage initiates land distribution proceedings for lands subject to compulsory acquisition, all landholdings with NOCs can still be distributed after June 2014,” he said.

He added that under Special Provision 2 in this year’s national budget, all lands which have been issued NOCs and with pending cases or proceedings as of June 30 shall continue to be processed until the issuance of duly registered certificate of land ownership award to the individual agrarian reform beneficiaries also in accordance with RA 9700.

Parungao said there is no need for an amendatory law to extend land distribution after the deadline.

“What DAR cannot do after June 2014 is to issue NOCs and accept Voluntary Offers to Sell unless its power to do so is extended,” he said.

In a related matter, DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Grageda denied Rep. Teddy Baguilat’s claim that as many as 200,000 hectares will not be issued NOCs and will thus be left undistributed after this month.

“As of May 20, 2014, only 14,085 landholdings covering 88,962 hectares are left for NOC issuance and service or publication. DAR has continually been issuing NOCs since then. The balance of NOCs to be served today is definitely a lot lower than that as of May 20. We are consolidating these figures as we speak,” he said.

He said DAR was able to issue 67,577 NOCs for 628,745 hectares of land subject to compulsory acquisition.

He added that from January to May 20, 11,178 NOCs were served covering 108,216 hectares.