Officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said they recently met with farmers who appealed for the distribution of lands belonging to two state universities and colleges (SUCs) in North Cotabato.
Agrarian Reform Undersecretaries Marcos D. Risonar Jr. and Sylvia F. Mallari met with some 500 farmers who are eyeing the distribution of the lands owned by the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) in
Arakan town.
The farmers claimed that they have been cultivating the reservation land owned by the SUCs.
To settle the issues, a joint board meeting was scheduled on February 9, with the Board of Regents of the USM and the Board of Trustees of CFCST, where the key officials from the DAR, CFCST, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government units (LGUs) are expected to attend.
Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 6657, or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law as amended by Republic Act 9007, or the CARP-Extension with Reform, the farmers claimed that they are entitled to own the lands under the government’s land transfer program.
The group appealed for the coverage and distribution of a reserved area of 5,018.37 hectares of USM, which have not been actually, directly and exclusively used for the purpose as stated under a proclamation.
The 2,110 landless farmers cultivating the land belong to the Mailuminado Farmers Association Inc.; Arakan Progressive Peasant Organization; Tinanan Kulamanon Lumadnong Panaghiusa (TIKULPA), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas; and Apo Sandawa Lumadnong Panaghiusa sa Cotabato in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Under Executive Order 407, the DAR, in coordination with the government agency or instrumentality concerned in whose favor the reservation was established, is empowered to determine whether such land, which have been reserved by Presidential Decree 428, are suitable for agriculture and are no used for the purposes for which they have
been reserved.
The DAR is also mandated to segregate such portion, and the government agency, or instrumentality to transfer the same to the department, for distribution to qualified beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
In a statement, Risonar said DAR North Cotabato maintains its approach to resolve issue through close coordination and collaboration with the concerned institutions.
Risonar added that a deed of transfer must be executed immediately so that the documentation and processes can be started.