Davao del Norte – The farmer-beneficiaries who are members of the three agrarian reform beneficiaries’ cooperatives in barangays Sampao and Gabuyan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, receive additional agricultural lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the Department of Agrarian Reform.
The turn-over and installation ceremony of the farmers was conducted right on the awarded area at Barangay Gabuyan yesterday (May 12, 2014),spearheaded by DAR Assistant Regional Director Mandap and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Jocelyn Seno and attended to by the members of the three cooperatives and a farmers’ association. Gracing the occasion, the Governor’s representative, Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor and other local officials witnessed the ceremony. Also present are top officials from the AMS Farming Corporation and the DOLE Philippines.
The Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) over the subject landholding were generated and issued over a parcel of agricultural land consisting of 19 hectares, more or less as early as 2003 in favour of the three cooperatives namely; AMSKARBEMCO, AMSEFFCO and SAKARCO but they failed to secure physical possession over the awarded landholding due to the Injunction Order issued by the Court on the ground of pending land valuation issue raised by the AMS Farming Corporation claiming payment of just compensation on the improvements the latter allegedly introduced in the area. Yet, without having been installed in the area, the cooperatives received a collection letter from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) demanding payment of their long overdue annual land amortization accounts of the awarded property now reaching to P8 million. With the inclusion of the claim of the AMS Farming Corporation in the new land valuation issued by the LBP, the DAR initiated the subdivision survey of the subject landholding in accordance with the allocation of areas initially agreed upon by the three cooperatives concerned. After series of dialogue, the DAR successfully sealed the deal and proceeded with this installation.
During the ceremony, Kapalong Municipal Mayor Timbol expressed full support to the cooperatives and hoped that with the physical installation of the farmer-beneficiaries in their area, the same would lead to the closure of any form of conflict between and among the cooperatives.
In his message, Assistant Director Mandap, said, “usasakatuyoansa DAR maoangpagsigurongaangatongbenepisyaryomaplastarsailangkaugalingongluna”. To ensure the economic achievability of the award of the landholding, it should carry with it the physical installation of the farmer beneficiaries in their allotted areas. As a matter of policy, it is one of the top priorities of the DAR, he added.
Vice Mayor Timbol expresses thanks to the DAR not only for the additional lands to be distributed to the farmers in Kapalong but also to the 1.2 million granted by the DAR to the other ARB Cooperatives in their municipality just last week and hopes that the benefits received will go directly to their respective families.
Also, a guest speaker, LBP Manager Cabanial disclosed that due to typhoon Pablo, a rehabilitation loan in the amount of 35 million was granted in favour of AMSKARBEMCO Cooperative. He informed other cooperatives that they may also avail of the loan.
PARPO Seno expresses appreciations for the full cooperation of various government agencies, the Philippine National Police, the Local Government Units, Barangay Officials, as well as the staff from the DAR Regional and Provincial Office. She also expresses thanks to all the cooperatives as well as to the former and present investors, the AMS Farming Corporation and the DOLE Philippines, respectively. In her experiences, said installation comes in an unexpected fashion receiving no resistance from any interest groups, she added.
In the afternoon, despite unfavourable weather, all proceeded to the actual area allotted per cooperative with the presence of the DAR Geodetic Engineer, Ballos, identifying the actual metes and bounds of every cooperative. In their allocated areas, the DAR headed by Assistant Regional Mandap and PARPO Seno conducted the ceremonial distribution of the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards to the farmer-beneficiaries and their official installation in their respective areas.
After the installation, DAR officials proceeded to the AMSKARBEMCO Office to facilitate the negotiation of the agri-business ventures arrangement between AMSKARBEMCO and the DOLE Philippines. Still, on negotiation stage, PARPO Seno assures the cooperative of the continuing support and assistance of the DAR and would continue to monitor closely the progress of the negotiation. ARDO Mandap adds that there is an on-going review and assessment of all agri-business ventures arrangements entered into by the farmers and the investors. (pr/DAR)
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