MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones turned over the agency’s leadership to Acting Secretary Bernie Cruz on Monday.
The turnover rites were held at the DAR covered court around 9 a.m. after a celebratory mass.
Cruz pledged to lead DAR in bringing progress to the countryside by giving the needs of farmers, expediting distribution of certificates of land ownership award to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and provision of support programs and services, among others.
“Under my leadership, the agency would double its effort to distribute all the remaining undistributed lands to the landless farmers, provide support services to ARBs and bring social justice in agrarian reform communities,” he said.
“I am committed to bringing industrialization in the agricultural sector and through the provisions of support services, such as livelihood opportunities, infrastructure projects, farm machinery and equipment, capability-buildings training, loan facilities, among other support, we can achieve a stable rural economy,” Cruz added.
Castriciones resigned from DAR to join the 2022 senatorial race. He filed his candidacy under the ruling party of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Leaving the post vacant, Malacañang appointed Cruz to replace Castriciones.
Prior to his appointment, Cruz was DAR’s undersecretary for foreign assisted and special projects office.
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