50,000 CARP beneficiaries in Nasugbu to lose land

MANILA, Philippines — At least 50,000 farmers in Nasugbu, Batangas, who were beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, face eviction following a ruling of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) canceling their certificates of land ownership awards.

The farmers belonging to the Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Hacienda Roxas Inc. filed a motion for consideration of the Dec. 29, 2023 ruling issued by DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III.

In a 63-page consolidated order, Estrella cited jurisdictional basis to end litigation struggles that have spanned almost four decades.

Estrella ordered the provincial agrarian reform program officer to consolidate the six certificates of titles for Haciendas Caylaway, Palico and Banilad.

He directed the redistribution of 1,322 hectares, representing half of the aggregate land.

The order allowed Roxas and Company Inc. to keep the other half covering 1,322 hectares.

The farmers, meanwhile, argued that their former counsel committed fraud and deception and misled them. They said they were not consulted on the plan to withdraw all cases and submit to the jurisdiction of the DAR secretary.