BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Negros Occidental-South has stepped up its campaign against the illegal sale, transfer, and lease of lands awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Dubbed “Kampanya Kontra Ariendo,” the kick-off activity at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on Tuesday gathered hundreds of farmer-beneficiaries, personnel of government agencies under the Provincial Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Implementing Team, representatives from local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders from 4th District.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lucrecia Taberna, who spoke at the activity, said the DAR has intensified its campaign after receiving reports on rampant “ariendohanay” or lease of awarded lands in the province.
This, amid the strong campaign conducted by the agency before, including posting of tarpaulins in the barangays, municipalities, and cities in the southern portion of province.
Taberna said the DAR is not tolerating illegal sale, transfer, lease or any other form of conveyance by a beneficiary of the right of ownership, right to use, or any usufructuary right over the land acquired by virtue of being such beneficiary.
“The law strictly prohibits ‘ariendo’ system as it is not a solution to poverty,” Taberna said, adding that the agency has been helping the farmers improve their lives through the delivery of various support services.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who also attended the activity, appealed to the farmers to protect and defend their right of ownership over the land awarded through CARP.
The city government is joining the DAR in its campaign to end “ariendo” system, Yulo said, adding that farmers should take care of the land because it will help them uplift their lives from poverty.
Under Section 49 of Administrative Order No. 7 Series of 2011, violations such as illegal sale, transfer, and lease of land are tantamount to necessary penalties, including charges and disqualification from the program.