DAR distributes Arroyos’ lands in Negros Occ.

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed yesterday certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to 1,950 beneficiaries of the landholdings of the family of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo in the Negros Occidental towns of Binalbagan and Hinigaran.

Farm workers and tenants of the Arroyos’ Haciendas Olimbo and Manolita were among those who received their CLOAs from newly appointed Agrarian Reform Secretary Jose Ma. Ponce in simple rites at the public plaza here.

Ponce said the Arroyos have committed more than 700 hectares of their landholdings to the agrarian reform program.

Of the total hectarage, more than 300 hectares have been distributed, while 200 hectares are still being processed.

Ponce said the CLOA distribution was President Arroyo’s gift to Negrenses. Mrs. Arroyo, who marks her birthday on Monday, was supposed to personally distribute the CLOAs but she sent Ponce instead because of her tight schedule.

More than 100,000 hectares of private lands, or more than 10 percent of the country’s national agrarian reform target, are in Negros Occidental. — Antonieta Lopez