DA disqualifies125 Luisita beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines - At least 125 farmers in Hacienda Luisita have been disqualified as agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes signed the disqualification order after the farmers failed to claim their lot allocation certificates (LAC) and sign the corresponding applications to purchase and farmer’s undertaking (APFU).

The beneficiaries receive their LAC during the lot allocation and should sign the APFU to confirm their willingness and ability to fulfill obligations like the payment of amortization.

“It’s been too long. We can’t wait forever...the final deadline for them to make appeals was last February,” Agrarian Reform Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao said yesterday.