COTABATO CITY- A total of 2,656 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) received Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM), Today, November 28.
This is the 1ST E.O. 75 CLOA distribution from the coverage of Camp Keithley, Lanao del Sur, and the 5th Mass CLOA distribution in the Bangsamoro at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Al-Haj, spearheaded the event together with DAR Undersecretary Atty. Kazel C. Celeste of Field Operations Office (FOO), DAR Undersecretary Amihilda J. Sangcopan Office for Mindanao Affairs (OMA), Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., Director General for Agrarian Reform Taugan S. Kikay, Ph.D., and Director Tong Pinguiaman, Ph.D.
Minister Yacob said in his welcome message that this recognizes the dedication, determination, and unbroken promises of the Bangsamoro Government and all the Bangsamoro people aiming for a better future.
He said the Land Reforms will empower thousands of the Bangsamoro families and will serve them their rights to develop their land, improve their livelihood, and increase their valuable contribution to the economy of the BARMM region.
In 2019, Executive Order No. 75, signed by President Duterte, mandated the distribution of unused government-owned agricultural lands to qualified beneficiaries. In Lanao del Sur, Camp Keithley, a 6,600-hectare military reservation, was identified for this purpose. Out of this, 1,526.0236 hectares have been prepared for distribution by DAR and MAFAR.
Chief Minister Ebrahim said “I am honored to join the 5th Mass CLOA Distribution from the coverage of Camp Keithley, Lanao del Sur for our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries from Marawi City, Saguiaran, and Piagapo”
“This certificate represents not just a piece of land but a challenge to cultivate and a brighter future for yourselves and your family. This is something you will pass on for the next generation embodies for the rightful ownership of the fruits of our labor a promise of economic opportunity and the fulfillment of a longstanding aspiration for self-sustainability” Chief Minister said.
The CLOAs will cover a total area of 2,147.7158 hectares. From the province of LDS, 1,528 CLOAs with 1,103.5203 ha, Maguindanao has 55 CLOAs with 124.295 ha, Special Geographic Area has 4 CLOAs with 32.7245 ha, Cotabato City has 2 CLOAs with 3.6369 ha, Basilan has 79 CLOAs with 112 ha, Sulu has 271 CLOAs with 297.9958 ha, and Tawi-Tawi has 157 CLOAs with 473.5433 ha.
Meanwhile, Atty. Celeste said “Isa pong malaking karangalan na makapiling po natin ang mga ARBOs dito sa BARMM. Dahil napakaportante po sa akin, lalong- lalo na sa ating DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III na dapat na personal po nating ihatid ang serbisyo ng gobyerno direkta sa ARBOs.
She said “Alam po natin ang halaga ng ating mga ARBs hindi lang dito sa BARMM kundi sa para sa buong bansa at alam po namin ang sakripisyo niyo po sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.
