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| To correct errors made during CARP implementation in Eastern Samar, DAR-8 Chief ordered a re-survey of awarded lots in Balangiga town. Photo: DAR-8 |
To correct errors made during the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementation by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Samar province, Regional Director Reynaldo Anfone ordered a re-survey of the awarded lots in Balangiga town.
Anfone, who was in Manila for a planning conference at the time, joined the dialogue with protesting farmers at the DAR Provincial Office in Borongan City on Thursday virtually and ordered Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II), Lawyer Bryan Lassiter, to conduct a re-survey of the subdivided lots under Lot No. 2230 in Barangay Cag-olango in Balangiga to determine the correct area and lot assignment based on the actual tillage of the farmer-beneficiaries.
The erroneous survey was discovered when farmers complained that Simeona Bennet, who received an individual Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) for Lot 2230-A based on the approved survey plan (ASP), is not an actual tiller. In contrast, Elena Balagasay, who is cultivating the lot, received her individual CLOA for Lot 2230-J.
Lassiter confirmed the farmers' allegations, which were consistent with the findings of the DAR-Eastern Samar investigation team, which included the Chief of the Legal Division, Atty. Jane Arra Promeda; MARPOs Ma. Flor Daganta and Glicerio Camenforte Jr.; Geodetic Engineer Renan Cadiente, and Cartographer Saldy Corado.
Aside from the Bennet and Balagasay case, other farmers in the 25-hectare lot complained about inaccurate surveying, prompting Anfone to order a re-survey. Anfone also ordered the concurrent identification of qualified actual tillers who will be awarded individual CLOAs.
Furthermore, Anfone directed that a petition be filed to cancel the two CLOAs issued to Bennet and Balagasay and that CLOAs be issued to the rightful occupants of this 25-hectare government-owned land (GOL).
On behalf of the protesting farmers, Anthony John Jumauay thanked Anfone and the entire DAR team for a fruitful blended-mode dialogue facilitated by the Clientele Relations Service, led by Director Jayzon Collado. (Source: DAR-8)