Negros Occidental map
BACOLOD CITY — Agrarian Reform Secretary Bernie Cruz led the distribution of 4,720 hectares of land to 4,754 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from various parts of Negros Occidental at rites held in Sipalay City on Tuesday.
He appealed to the beneficiaries not to sell or pawn the land given to them so that their children and future generations will also be able to benefit from it.
“I hope this will be the start of a better life for you,” he said.
Cruz said that with the help of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the local government, he hopes that the beneficiaries will be able to make productive the land given to them.
“Take care of the land and love it,” the DAR chief said.
The distributed lands covered 17 municipalities and cities in Negros Occidental.
These are cities of Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Talisay, Victorias, Bago, Himamaylan and Sipalay and municipalities of Toboso, Binalbagan, Cauayan, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Pontevedra.
DAR-Western Visayas Regional Director Sheila Enciso said 3,034 hectares of land will be distributed to 2,830 farmer beneficiaries in the southern part of the province.
There are also 1,924 ARBs who are recipients of 1,694 hectares of agricultural lands in northern Negros, she said.
Cruz has pledged that under his leadership, the agency would double its effort to distribute all the remaining undistributed lands to the landless farmers, provide support services and bring social justice in agrarian reform communities.
RELATED STORIES
DAR wants provincial panels included in move to distribute agri lands
DAR to finish land distribution by 2022