AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES IN BALASAN, ILOILO OFFICIALLY INSTALLED: NOW LANDOWNERS
As the country celebrates the Eid al-Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan, twenty-two (22) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Brgy. Balanti-an, Balasan, Iloilo are also rejoicing after they were officially installed and declared as owners of the awarded land by the Department of Agrarian Reform through a Writ of installation.
The property was formerly owned by Manuel L. Soriano later then acquired by Philmay Property, Incorporated covering an area of 25.0494 hectares and 64.6882 hectares, respectively, located in Brgy. Balanti-an, Balasan, Iloilo. The described property was placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) by way of Compulsory Acquisition Scheme pursuant to R.A. No. 6657 as amended by R.A. No. 9700.
In a message, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer from the Land Tenure Improvement Division and Chairperson of the Technical Working Group for ARBs Installation Alfred B. Beare acknowledges the collaborative effort not just of the personnel of DAR Province of Iloilo but also from the Municipal and Local Government Units of Balasan and Brgy. Balanti-an, respectively with the assistance of the local Police Office in Balasan, Iloilo headed by Police Captain Alexander Lauron. He further encourages that the said Writ of Installation be conducted peacefully without any resistance considering that the ARBs are already in possession of their awarded lands. He further hopes that all installed ARBs will do their rights and obligations to avoid disqualification. And that, their presence during the succeeding survey activities is vital for them to find their metes and bounds to avoid arising conflicts in the future.
Meanwhile, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Cecilia E. Alianza assigned in Balasan, Iloilo provided the history of the landholding while MARPO Clytemnestra C. Refugio, Point Person for ARBs Installation discussed in detailed the rights and obligations of the ARBs highlighting the importance of the awarded lands to be productively cultivated for the country to achieve food sufficiency and security.
In addition, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer from the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD)
