MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently distributed 309 certificates of land ownership award to 1,189 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Bukidnon.
Provincial agrarian reform officer Julio Celestiano Jr. said the farmers in Malaybalay City are now landowners, and like other fellow farmer-beneficiaries, face huge challenge of making their farms more productive.
"These [beneficiaries] will play [a] significant role in eradicating hunger and in reducing poverty in the countryside," Celestiano said.
As the world celebrates the International Year of Family Farming this year, the farmer-beneficiaries take on a major role in ensuring food security by working doubly hard for the continued and sustainable agricultural production, he said.
The distribution of the ownership awards covering 2,034 hectares of agricultural lands was held Wednesday at the Kaamulan Grounds in Malaybalay City.
It was one of the highlights that capped the month-long Kaamulan Festival this year, which was headed by Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri.
The foundation of Bukidnon and the Kaamulan Festival, which used to be celebrated from February to March every year, was moved to August and culminated September 1.