DAR asked to install beneficiaries

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Task Force Kasanag national commander John Chiong asked the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to officially install 42 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) of a 100-hectare lot in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City as they are legal holders of a Certificate of Land Ownership Award since 2003.

Chiong on Monday met with Jesus Gareza, chairman of Bulig Uswag sang Grupo Upod sa Assosasyon (BUGAS) who sought his help.

Gareza claimed that the CLOA was awarded to them way back in 2003 but the previous owner of the property continues to till the land in the past 15 years.

Instead of the income going to the beneficiaries, Gareza said the landowner benefited from it.

“It is painful for us because it was awarded to us yet we did not benefit from it,” Gareza told reporters here.

He recalled that in 2011, the property was taken over through lease agreement but eventually returned to the landowner.

Gareza said that they decided to take over the property in September this year.

He said, though, that DAR has to install them officially as they continue to receive threats and are subjected to court cases.

They have been tilling the land for generations, adding that his grandfather was among the pioneer employees of the landowner.

TF Kasanag is an anti-corruption and anti-crime group.