Negros oriental: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Oriental is setting its sights on distributing approximately 18,000 hectares of land as part of the government's land reform program this year, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. Manuel Galon, the Officer in Charge Provincial Agricultural Reform Program Officer 2 (PARPO 2), revealed the department's ambitions during an interview, emphasizing their readiness for the initial distribution phase slated for mid-year.

According to Philippines News Agency, Galon shared that the DAR aims to allocate around 6,000 hectares by July, contingent on the finalization of beneficiary lists and the completion of necessary documentation. The department is currently in the process of identifying suitable areas for inclusion in the land reform initiative. The coordination for land title processing now involves several agencies, including the Land Registration Authority and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Historically, the process of issuing certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) primarily required approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure the land was alienable and disposable. However, the current procedure demands a more collaborative approach with multiple government bodies.

In addition to CLOAs, the DAR plans to distribute electronic titles through Project SPLIT, which aims to convert collective titles into individual ones. Galon remains optimistic about achieving a significant level of land distribution for the year, hoping to mirror the successful outcomes of the previous year.