DAR to stop processing applications for land-use conversion

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is halting the process and approval of applications on land-use conversion ahead of a proposal to have a two-year moratorium on conversion, a report on GMA News' "Balitanghali" said Wednesday.

"DAR wants a two-year moratorium on agricultural lands so they won't be converted to subdivisions ... " Agrarian Reform Chief Rafael Mariano said.

In the meantime, Mariano said the department will temporarily stop processing and approving applications for land-use conversion.

"There is a state policy to preserve agricultural lands to ensure food security," he added.

The moratorium will cover 4.7 million hectares of lands awarded under RA 6657, Presidential Decree 27, and other agrarian reform laws.

Sagip Saka

In a separate statement, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, noted President Rodrigo Duterte's moratorium on land-use conversion and the condonation of farmers' debt penalties would end poverty among  Filipino farmers, especially "if coupled with an institutional program that increases their income."

The proposed measure – "Sagip Saka" of Farmers and Fishers Entrepreneurship and Development Act – will help farmers and fisher folks increase their income.

Sagip Saka requires national and local government agencies to help small farmers and fishers cluster themselves and sell directly to food distributors and consumers.

“Siguraduhin nating ang pagtaas ng kita ng mga magsasaka ang magiging batayan ng tagumpay ng mga programang sakahan," Pangilinan said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News