BUGALLON, Pangasinan– After nine years since their application for landholding, farmers from Barangay Hacienda in Bugallon, Pangasinan received their certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
“We waited for almost nine years. I thought I was still dreaming but it’s happening,” said Malonie Tejada, one of the farmers-turned-new-landowners.
Ricardo Cunanan, another beneficiary, said they went through a lot of difficulties before they finally owned the land.
“With the help of the DAR and by the mercy of God, we finally got the land that we have been yearning for,” he said.
DAR Asst. Regional Director Maria Ana Francisco said the 40-hectare landholding in the barangay, which was owned by Eduardo Dee and sold to Dr. Macario Feliciano, was acquired by the DAR through compulsory acquisition and went through several legal processes before finally getting registered with the Registry of Deeds this year.
Francisco emphasized the importance of joining cooperatives so that they can fully enjoy DAR’s services and improve as a community.
“Cherish this title. Now you have something to hold on to. Finally, you can call yourself landowners,” she said.
At the CLOA distribution rite, DAR conducted an education seminar for the 129 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who are members of the Bugallon Federation of Free Farmers Marketing Cooperative.
The ARBs were oriented on their rights and responsibilities as title holders, as well as the support services that they are entitled to as farmer-beneficiaries.
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