DAR finally relocating central office to Davao

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is finally set to transfer its central office next week to the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) compound in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño here.

“The transfer of the DAR central office to Davao City signifies that the government is serious in decongesting Metro Manila and spur development in the countryside,” Presidential Adviser on Government Centers Silvestre Bello III said.

Bello, who personally inspected the SPDA premises here late Monday afternoon, said the transfer of the DAR central office to Davao City will take effect on April 22.

It will then be followed by the eventual transfer of the central office of the Department of Agriculture to Cagayan de Oro City by the end of May.

A satellite office of the Department of Transportation and Communications will also be put up soon at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

Bello said the transfer of the central offices of the different government departments fulfills the promise of President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address in 2006.

A memorandum of agreement on the turnover of the SPDA property to DAR was reportedly supposed to be signed yesterday at the Pryce Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

The MOA was to be signed even if the SPDA board had yet to come up with a resolution that would officially turn over its compound in Cataluna Pequeño to DAR.

The SPDA board has yet to meet in Davao City on April 22 in time for the authority’s anniversary.

The DAR will reportedly first occupy the buildings at the right portion of the SPDA compound, while the SPDA will retain its administrative offices and other buildings on the left portion.

Newly installed DAR Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan will reportedly take charge of the turnover of the SPDA property to DAR as well as the relocation of at least 50 employees who will comprise the department’s initial staff in Davao City.

Bello said the SPDA will receive a P5-million assistance to look for a suitable place for its main office.

SPDA employees who would be displaced would receive a separate assistance package.

Bello said the DAR will push through with the transfer of its central office to Davao City despite the pending court case filed by the 1,600 members of the DAR Employees Association seeking a stop to the move.

“The court did not issue any temporary restraining order against the transfer, so it would push through,” Bello told The STAR.

DAR employees who voluntarily opted to hold office in Davao City would reportedly receive at least P24,000 as initial relocation package.