IN a significant step for agrarian reform, 100 farmers in Tarlac received 114 land titles on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, covering a total of 92.37 hectares.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officially distributed the certificates of landownership award (CLOAs) to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) at the Tarlac Capitol Center.
This event is part of the ongoing efforts under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.
SPLIT aims to parcelize previously awarded collective CLOAs, giving ARBs individual titles to land that they have long been cultivating.
The land title distribution is a key initiative by DAR to provide security and independence for farmers, particularly in the provinces of Tarlac City, Anao, Moncada, Ramos, San Manuel, Victoria, Camiling, Mayantoc, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Bamban, Capas, La Paz, and Concepcion.
One of the recipients, Mary Jane Maninang, 48, a farmer from Capas, expressed her gratitude for the land titles.
“I am certain that the land titles provided to us will be a great help in improving and securing our financial stability,” she said. “We’ve been tilling these lands for years, and now, with these titles, we feel that our hard work is truly recognized.”
The distribution marks a milestone in the ongoing agrarian reform program in the province.
The DAR collaborated closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure that all necessary tax declarations were processed efficiently, alleviating administrative burdens for the beneficiaries.
James Arsenio Ponce, Central Luzon Director of the DAR, highlighted the importance of the event. He explained that the distribution of tax declarations alongside the land titles formalizes the ARBs’ ownership and strengthens their legal standing in local government records.
“The tax declaration serves as a vital document that confirms the ARBs’ property rights, and it will be crucial for future transactions, such as securing loans or grants,” Ponce said. “Financial institutions often require tax declarations as part of the documentation for land-based financing.”
Ponce further assured the ARBs that the DAR, in collaboration with other government agencies, would provide ongoing support services to help them maximize the potential of their lands and improve their livelihoods.
The event was attended by Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, along with other local government officials and representatives from various government agencies, underscoring the province’s commitment to supporting the agrarian reform program and empowering local farmers.
The land title distribution is seen as a major step in enhancing the economic security of Tarlac’s agrarian reform beneficiaries and is expected to drive sustainable agricultural growth in the region.