AO to hasten land use conversion process: DAR

FILE: After biggest single day land distribution in CARP history, DAR continues turn over of land titles in ARMM. (Photo: @dargovph/Twitter)

MANILA — The proposed administrative order (AO) for land use conversion applications is meant to streamline the tedious process the farmers have to undergo, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Tuesday.

The agency made the remarks as it slammed some individuals and groups with vested interests, who are circulating fake and misleading allegations in relation to the proposed DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2019 regarding the streamlining of the process for land use conversion applications.

“In compliance with the directives and timeline set by the President, DAR is awaiting the finalization of the Joint Memorandum Circular by an inter-agency committee, comprising of other executive departments and government offices who are involved in the Land Use Conversion process,” DAR said in a statement.

“There is no basis for them to assail the said AO, considering that the same is not yet effective as law,” it added.

The draft AO was uploaded to DAR’s internal memo system merely for vetting and review by other third level officials.

Article 2 of the New Civil Code of the Philippines provides that publication in any newspaper of general circulation is required for this regulation to take effect.

The Joint Memorandum Circular, due on the first week of March, will dictate the final draft of AO No.1 and will provide clear cut policies and a defined timeline for DAR and the other Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implementing agencies to follow in the processing of land use conversion applications.

The timelines contained in the proposed AO is merely a reiteration of previous administrative orders defining the periods in the process for land use conversions applications.

“There is no truth to the erroneous and malicious allegations that the proposed AO is anti-farmer,” the statement included.

The law, which covers the substantial requirements of conversion, is enshrined under Section 65 of Republic Act 6657, which protects agricultural lands from being capriciously and whimsically converted for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes.

Applications for land use conversion under this proposed AO will not mean automatic approval but will be evaluated in accordance with the unconditional requirements under Section 65 of Republic Act 6657, as amended.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Luis Pangulayan earlier denied former Secretary Rafael Mariano’s claims the directive is in support of the President’s cronies.

“The former secretary has to understand that the directive of the President is for us to act accordingly and do it with a reasonable time so people will feel the services of the government,” he said in a separate interview.

In previous reports, the President has observed that Mariano had backlogs in land use conversion cases during his tenure.

Duterte also said the long process will be stressful for the applicants and would result in them giving up, adding that it will also be grounds for corruption as it takes several clearances from various agencies before it reaches the last stage.

Mariano, one of several leftists appointed by Duterte after he won the presidency in 2016, was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in 2017.

Meanwhile, the agency projects to distribute at least 41,077 hectares of land to 31,132 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) this year.

The target figure has a positive note as DAR exceeded 2018’s projection of 60,777 hectares that were distributed to 41,787 ARBs.