THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it warned employees not to process applications to transfer land designated by the department as resettlement areas to parties ineligible for such benefits.
“In an order… Castriciones (DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones) said sanctions await personnel who process applications ‘resulting in the transfer of lots in DAR administered resettlement projects to individuals/entities who are not actually qualified beneficiaries under the agrarian reform program,’” DAR said in a statement Monday.
The order is contained in DAR Administrative Order No. 3, Series of 2019. The AO lists the “new rules and processes in the disposition of home-lots in barangay sites and residential, commercial, and industrial lots in areas within DAR’s resettlement projects.”
The AO hopes to speed up the completion of titling of land designated as resettlement areas.
The AO listed qualified beneficiaries as Filipino citizens, residents of the designated barangay, at least 18 years old, with the ability to develop the lot. Former rebels and victims of calamities may also apply.
“Meanwhile award limits are set at a maximum of 1,000 square meters in aggregate of residential and commercial lots per applicant,” it said. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang
