Mayor blames DAR over land woes in Pres. Roxas

By Felipe V. Celino

PRES. ROXAS, Capiz – Mayor Receliste ‘Tanoy’ Escolin of this town blamed the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Capiz for the land distribution mess between Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and the administrator of Nemeseo Tan Landholdings at Brgy. Culilang.

In a media interview Saturday morning, Escolin said he did not defend Liga ng mga Barangay President and the administrator of the Tan family, Punong Barangay Ferdinand Bacanto, but the residents affected by the issue.

The mayor has questioned the DAR on why it did not touch the land of the Locsin family at Brgy. Cabugcabug and Badiangon, both in Pres. Roxas, and instead singled out the Tan family.

“Daw kaangay sa paghingabot ang ginahimo sang DAR, bangud ginpasakaan ang mga ini sadto sang kaso sang Nemecio Tan Holdings, kag sa karon, ang tawo ang nagakaipit kag amu ang makaluluoy sa ila pagtimalos,” Escolin said.

He said that those being recognized by the landowner should be the first priority to prevent troubles.

The mayor said that he respected the works of the DAR, but they should see to it that the mess would be avoided.

He said his administration has nothing to do with solving the problem.

A few weeks ago, Bacanto ordered to close the private road leading to the rice fields of the ARBs for lack of proper coordination with the Tan family.

The ARBs could not haul their rice produce because of the road closure.