QUEZON CITY -- Five hundred seventy-five (575) farmers in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte are now legal owners of the land they have been tilling for decades as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed certificates of landownership award (CLOAs) on July 29, 2021.

DAR Secretary Bro. John Castriciones, who led the distribution of individual CLOAs, said the land distributed to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) has a total land area of 575 hectares.

Brother John said that the lands awarded to the farmers took more than 15 years of processing. Most of the landholdings had issues on land coverage involving contentious private agricultural lands.

“I am proud to say that although it took more than a decade for these farmers to get their land, the DAR was able to resolve these problems judiciously,” Brother John Said.

“Ako po ay natutuwa sapagkat ngayong hapon na ito ay pinagtagumpayan natin ang matagal na natin problema sa lupa. Ang ibig sabihin, ay naging successful at nagwagi ang pakikipaglaban ng Department of Agrarian Reform kasama ang ating mga mag-uuma,” (I am glad because this afternoon we have overcome our long-standing problem on land. That is, the Department of Agrarian Reform together with our farmers has been successful and victorious in their struggles.) Brother John said. 

“Tandaan po ninyo, hindi diyan nagtatapos ang tulong DAR. Kami po gagawin namin ang aming makakaya upang paunlarin ang inyong lupa,” (Remember that DAR’s assistance does not end there. We will do our best to develop your land.) Brother John said to the farmers.

Farmer Editha Comeling and her husband Frank, from Barangay Sto. Nino in Hinunganan were overwhelmed with joy after receiving their long-awaited CLOA from the Secretary right in their own home.

“Natupad din ang pangarap naming mag-asawa! Sa tagal ng panahon, sa amin na ang sakahan! Salamat po Pangulong Duterte at sa inyo, Brother John sa titulong ito,” (This is a dream come true for my husband and I! For the longest time, we now own this farm! Thank you President Duterte and  you, Brother John for this title) said Editha Comeling.

Farmers Editha and her husband Frank were among the 575 new landowners awarded with CLOA by the Secretary. The rest of the CLOA recipients received their land titles in a distribution ceremony held in Barangay Bangcas-A Gymnasium, Hinunganan, Southern Leyte. (DAR)