Montalban beneficiaries awarded land ownership amidst pandemic

By Kier Gideon Paolo M. Gapayao October 16, 2020 MONTALBAN, Rizal - Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Atty. John Castriciones spe...

By Kier Gideon Paolo M. Gapayao
October 16, 2020


MONTALBAN, Rizal - Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Atty. John Castriciones spearheads the distribution of 223 certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) to 153 agrarian beneficiaries in Barangay, Macabud, this town despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The secretary is joined by DAR IV-A Regional Director Rene Colocar and Rizal Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Saturnino Bello in the turnover of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) through both a new normal program held at the Barangay Hall and the "DAR-to-Door" distribution this October 8.

Sec. Castriciones in his keynote address emphasizes the need to strengthen the agricultural sector as well as the perks which the agency provides CLOA holders and registered Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).

Perks and responsibilities

"Kung wala ang agrikultura, hindi magiging malakas ang ekonomiya," exclaims Secretary Castriciones as he puts emphasis on farmers' roles in nation building.



(Without agriculture, our economy will not grow stronger).

Sec. Castriciones, who also serves as a Director in the Landbank of the Philippines, also said that the bank has a program which only farmers can avail.

"Meron kaming programa ngayon na ang bawat magsasaka na may titulo ng lupa ay pwedeng humiram hanggang P 50,000 na may interes na 6% per annum," says Sec. Castriciones.



(We have a program where farmers with land titles can borrow up to P 50,000 with only 6% interest per annum.)

Aside from farmers' loans, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation can also provide insurance in the case of natural calamities to RSBA-beneficiaries.



In addition, farmers who are registered as ARB members will be given assistance such as tractors, farm equipment, fertilizers, mini irrigation systems and other provisions by DAR.

Meanwhile, Rizal Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Saturnino Bello reminded the farmers of the duties and responsibilities of farmers including the utilization of lands for agricultural use, payment of taxes to the municipal government and payment of amortization to the Landbank of the Philippines.



Most importantly, PARO Bello emphasizes that under no circumstance should a beneficiary pawn or sell their lands.

Local gov't support



Barangay Macabud Chairperson Judith Gandia thanks DAR and the Duterte administration for the long-awaited CLOA distribution as she welcomed both government officials and beneficiaries alike.

"Hindi po basta-basta ang ating pinagdaanan para makuha ang ating pinaglaban para makuha ang lupang ating sinasaka," she exclaimed as she recounted the farmers' hardships in the process of acquiring lands in the barangay which has spanned several decades and involved even the Supreme Court.



(What we have gone through to acquire our farmlands in is no laughing matter.)

Montalban Mayor Dennis "Tom" Hernandez then assured the farmers that the local government is set to extend its help.

"Sa bahagi ng pamahalaang bayan mayroon tayong mga programang ipinapatupad at ipapatupad pa," said Mayor Hernandez

(As for the municipal government, the municipal government is currently conducting and will continue to conduct programs for the farmers.)

Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo "Junrey" San Juan Jr., Mayor Dennis"Tom" Hernandez" and other DAR and local officials also joined the beneficiaries in the program. (GG)