Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center – A historic event unfolded today, November 28, as 2,656 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) received their Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs). This initiative was spearheaded by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of BARMM (MAFAR-BARMM).
The event marks the first CLOA distribution under Executive Order No. 75 in the region, covering lands from the Camp Keithley military reservation in Lanao del Sur. It also serves as the fifth mass distribution of CLOAs in the Bangsamoro, underlining the government’s commitment to agrarian reform and rural development.
Empowering Bangsamoro Families
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Al-Haj, led the distribution ceremony alongside prominent officials, including DAR Undersecretaries Atty. Kazel C. Celeste and Amihilda J. Sangcopan, MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., and Director General Taugan S. Kikay, Ph.D.
In his address, Chief Minister Ebrahim emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating:
“This certificate represents not just a piece of land but a challenge to cultivate and a brighter future for yourselves and your family. This is something you will pass on to the next generation, embodying rightful ownership and the fulfillment of a longstanding aspiration for self-sustainability.”
Minister Yacob highlighted the broader impact of the land reforms, noting that the program empowers thousands of Bangsamoro families to develop their land, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the regional economy.
Land Distribution Highlights
Under Executive Order No. 75, signed in 2019 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, unused government-owned agricultural lands were mandated for distribution to qualified beneficiaries. The distribution in Lanao del Sur focused on 1,526 hectares of Camp Keithley’s military reservation.
The CLOAs distributed today cover a total area of 2,147.7158 hectares, benefiting ARBs across BARMM provinces:
- Lanao del Sur: 1,103.5203 hectares (1,528 CLOAs)
- Maguindanao: 124.295 hectares (55 CLOAs)
- Special Geographic Area: 32.7245 hectares (4 CLOAs)
- Cotabato City: 3.6369 hectares (2 CLOAs)
- Basilan: 112 hectares (79 CLOAs)
- Sulu: 297.9958 hectares (271 CLOAs)
- Tawi-Tawi: 473.5433 hectares (157 CLOAs)
Government’s Commitment to ARBs
DAR Undersecretary Atty. Kazel C. Celeste reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to delivering services directly to ARBs, stating:
“Napaka-importante po sa amin, lalo na kay DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, na personal na maihatid ang serbisyo ng gobyerno direkta sa mga ARBs.”
Celeste also acknowledged the sacrifices of the ARBs, emphasizing their critical role in food production and the development of communities across the country.
Looking Ahead
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the BARMM government’s efforts to address historical injustices, promote equitable land distribution, and uplift the socio-economic conditions of agrarian communities.
As ARBs take on the challenge of cultivating their newly acquired lands, they also embrace the promise of a more sustainable and prosperous future for their families and the Bangsamoro region.