The DAR distributes 195.89 hectares of government-owned lands in Carmen, North Cotabato to 184 agrarian reform beneficiaries. (Photo courtesy of DAR)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday said it distributed a total of 195.89 hectares of government-owned lands to 184 beneficiaries in Carmen, North Cotabato.
The land belonged to the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) but has now gone to farmers.
“These unused 64.2271 hectares of BPI and 131.5286 hectares of PCA land will be a big help to uplift the lives of many farmers,” DAR-Soccsksargen Regional Director Mariannie Lauban-Baunto said in a statement.
The distribution is in line with former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 75, series of 2019.
“The said EO mandates all government offices to distribute public lands devoted to or suitable for agriculture for distribution to qualified beneficiaries,” said the DAR.
“The value of our land increases over time if we cultivate it with sweat and hard work. We just have to unite, work together, and help one another to do better and be better for our municipality and our province,” Cotabato 3rd District Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos said.