The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is awaiting the release of some 9,000 hectares of land in Busuanga for distribution to qualified occupants under the agrarian reform law.
DAR information officer Fedeleo de Guzman said Tuesday they have initially processed 3,000 applications from various barangays and are expecting to add more potential beneficiaries by next week.
“Itong 9,000 hectares will be subjected to the map projection, kasi ilalatag pa natin ito ng husto sa mapa ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” de Guzman said.
He added that DAR Palawan is still waiting for a deed of transfer from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before they can fully acquire the land area for distribution.
The agricultural land to be distributed by DAR is covered by a Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA). It is a document that serves as evidence of ownership of the land granted to the beneficiary.
“Iyong CLOA is a title. Ang title na iyon ang pinaghihigpitan natin. We are not encouraging them to sell their properties, dapat manahin ito ng salinlahi nila. That’s one way of encouraging the preservation of agricultural land,” de Guzman added.
He said that a DAR team has been going around various barangays of Busuanga in the last three weeks, conducting validation and documentation of applications.
“Nagulat din ako sa dami ng tao dito sa Busuanga and medyo masaya dahil puro na mga taong taga-rito ang ating aplikante,” De Guzman said.
He said applicants must submit their proof of identity such as valid identification cards, birth certificates; if they claim that they are married, they must submit marriage of certificate; and one of the most important is the barangay certification to prove that they are a legitimate resident of the barangay.
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