A TOTAL of 368 farmers from Bailangao, Misamis Occidental, were awarded land by the government under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
The certificates of land ownership award (Cloas) cover a total of 125.36 hectares of former idle land in Barangay Landing, owned by one Richard Griffith, an official of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), said.
Cloas are proof of ownership of land acquired by the government for distribution to landless farmers under CARP.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Alibasa Andig said the landholding sits in an agrarian reform community (ARC) in Baliangao and will greatly benefit landless farmers living in the area.
The Griffith landholding was previously awarded to the local government of Baliangao through escheat proceedings. It was subsequently turned over to the DAR for distribution to farmers through CARP.
During the distribution of the Cloas, Andig urged the farmer-beneficiaries to strengthen their farm cooperative, a government prerequisite before any assistance is extended to them.
Andig said the necessary support services will be provided by DAR to boost the farmers’ productivity through the established farmers’ organizations or cooperatives.