DAR to conduct inventory of Luisita farm lots

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will conduct an inventory of farm lots distributed to farmer-beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita to check if any was sold after distribution.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes said the inventory would start during the harvest season next month.

 “We want to take into account if the lands distributed are being cultivated by the farmer-beneficiaries,” Delos Reyes said.

 The DAR completed land distribution in the sugar estate on October 2013 and finished placing boundary markers last year.

 “We are now in the process of providing support services to beneficiaries… These could be in the form of loans, equipment and training such as introducing new techniques in planting crops for farmers,” said Delos Reyes.

 He encouraged Luisita beneficiaries to set up organizations or join groups for them to have easy access to support services provided by the government.

 “We are helping the farmer-beneficiaries adjust to becoming landowners. If they are part of a group, they are able to organize themselves better with regard to farm production and marketing of their produce,” Delos Reyes said.