Duterte to expedite distribution of gov't land to beneficiaries

President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to hasten the distribution of state-owned lands to beneficiaries of Agrarian Reform Program.

In a statement on Saturday, the Palace said Duterte ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to distribute government-owned lands, including the ones in the mountain areas to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs).

The President made the announcement during the ceremonial distribution of 3, 423 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to representatives of 2, 495 beneficiaries in Barangay Kauswagan in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last Friday.

Duterte said he would hasten the allocation of lands in the remaining three years of his term.

He added that he would prioritize first the distribution of properties owned by the state.

“I still have three more years. I will give everything to the people, especially lands owned by the government, which are not being utilized. I already ordered [DAR Secretary John] Castriciones to give the land to the people.”

Duterte said that the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) has been implemented since the administration of former President Corazon Aquino and he is simply enforcing the law.

However, he acknowledged the challenges in distributing estates because some occupants do not want to let go of their lands and some espouse the communist rebels’ movement.

He once again told the public not to engage with the members of the New People’s Army because the government is striving to provide their needs.

As for the NPAs, he renewed his call for them to return to the fold of the law.

“I don’t want to kill the NPAs. I don’t even want to kill anybody, especially the Filipinos. Why can’t we have discussions instead?” the President added.

“I told Agriculture Secretary [Manny Piñol] 'Go to the mountains and [find out] what the people need the most.' Most said, ‘Mayor, fertilizers.’ Others said, ‘Mayor, seedlings.’ Therefore, those are the needs that I will be pouring funds for," he added.

The President reiterated his firm commitment to alleviate the lives of the poor. “I want them to prosper, at least during my term,” he said.

“I don’t tell promises that I cannot keep. Once I said it to the public, I will honor my words till I die.  I will do it,” he added.

The CLOAs that were distributed covered a total of 1,609 hectares acquired land situated in eight cities and 11 municipalities in Negros Occidental, one of the provinces in the Philippines covered with vast private agricultural lands. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News