Ten agrarian reform beneficiaries in Soccsksargen finally received individual electronic land titles on Nov. 5 after waiting between 15 and 34 years.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed the titles during a ceremony at the South Cotabato Cultural Gymnasium in Koronadal City through its Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.
Collective Land Titles Divided Into Individual Awards
The SPLIT Project converts collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) into individual electronic titles, giving farmers separate ownership documents for their respective landholdings.
DAR Regional Information Officer Kate Sespeñe Pagayon explained that the beneficiaries were previously listed with other farmers under a single collective title, which delayed the issuance of their individual documents.
Farmers Waited Up to 34 Years
The longest wait belonged to 67-year-old Lolita Masin of North Cotabato, who waited 34 years.
Other recipients included Vanessa Sullivan, 29, of South Cotabato, who received a title as heir of her grandfather, an agrarian reform beneficiary, after 33 years; Jimmy dela Rosa, 69, of Sarangani, after 30 years; and Rey Vincent Mondejar, 68, of South Cotabato, after 28 years.
Ismael Mantawil, 55, waited 27 years, while Concepcion Darle, 76, waited 26 years. Joan Capul, 72, waited 24 years, and Eddie Malunes, 65, and Antonio Dondon, 70, each waited 20 years. Lila Guzman, 82, received her title after 15 years.
Darle became emotional upon receiving her document, saying, “Lipay gid kaayo ko,” or “I'm so happy.”
DAR Distributes Thousands of Land Titles
DAR reported distributing 1,210 SPLIT electronic titles covering 2,984.98 hectares to 1,085 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Soccsksargen.
The agency also awarded 619 regular CLOAs or Emancipation Patents covering 1,584.30 hectares to another 1,283 beneficiaries.
The distribution aims to provide farmers with individual land ownership documents and formalize their rights to their respective agricultural holdings.
