SIPALAY CITY, Negros Occidental – As the government continues to help the people in this province to return to their normal lives after the devastating damages left by Super Typhoon Odette last December, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, distributed 4,728.67 hectares of agricultural lands to 4,754 landless farmers.

DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz said he hopes that the lands awarded to the farmers would serve as a new beginning towards a brighter future for them and the next generations to come.

“We are very happy that we’re able to finally award these lands. Our people in the department encountered many challenges upon processing these lands so that we could give these properties to the farmers in accordance with the law,” Cruz said.

About 3,033.71 hectares of land were awarded to 2,830 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the southern part of the province. These cities and municipalities include Bago City, Binalabagan, Cauayan, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra and Sipalay City.

In the northern part, 1,694.96 hectares were distributed to 1,924 ARBs from the cities and towns of Bacolod City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, DS Benedicto, EB Magalona, Escalante City, Manapla, Murcia, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Silay City, Talisay City, Toboso and Victorias City.

Due to restrictions of the local government of Sipalay, only 70 ARBs were invited to represent the 4,754 farmer recipients.

Western Visayas Regional Director Shiela Enciso divulged that this event was given a theme as, “Build, Back, Better!” in connection with the calamities that hit them last December.

“This momentous event will help you rise up again with better opportunities coming your way because the DAR would continue to help you improve your economic lives through the provisions of various support services,” she said.

Support services are provided in the form of infrastructure facilities, farm machinery, equipment and inputs, capability training, and other livelihood opportunities, among others.

Albino Bombio Jr, farmer-recipient from Victorias City, shared that farming is what he does throughout his life. But he was also a dreamer.

“One of my dreams is to own the land that I was tilling. Because of the DAR, my dreams came true and I promise that I will make this land as richer as ever,” he said. (DAR)