DAR secretary asked to hasten land distribution

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – A group of farmer-beneficiaries is asking Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones to hasten the distribution of a landholding in Silay City which has been decided in their favor three years ago.

Task Force Kasanag National commander John Chiong said he will write Castriciones about the complaint of Dominador Tumbale, chairman of the Samahan ng Maralitang Manggagawa ng Hacienda Panaogao in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Tumbale, who sought the help of TFK Sunday, said that until now the 73.1158-hectare property has yet to be distributed to the 13 beneficiaries including himself.

Celso Agro-Industrial Corporation, which contested the distribution of the landholding, filed an appeal but was dismissed, documents showed.

Tumbale said he sought the help of TFK after he was reportedly “visited” by personnel from the Regional Trial Court accompanied by uniformed men asking them to vacate the property.

Chiong said land conflict, especially concerning properties under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), are under the jurisdiction of DAR. He also questioned the court personnel’s action.

He said he accompanied Tumbale to the DAR office in Silay City to complain and follow up on the land distribution, but they were surprised to see that no one was around.

Chiong said he will also bring the same concern with DAR higher ups.

Documents presented by Tumbale also showed an order issued by Castriciones on Feb. 3, 2020 affirming the decision of the DAR regional office to award the property to Tumbale and his group.