by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
To complete land distribution under the Agrarian reform program in 2014 is herculean job. Can it be done? Let us see.
A round table discussion among members of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officials of Aklan and Aklan Press Club, Inc. (APCI) was held on June 23, 2012 at Smokehauz Resto & Bar. Mr. Eberardo N. Erispe, PARO explained DAR is confident that Notices of Coverage will be issued for all lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) or RA 9700 before the law expires in 2014.
He reported, DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes in a bid to expedite Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) process has allotted specific time frame and resources to mass process claim folders in all provinces especially those where 60 percent of LAD balance is located. This move will determine which landholdings are not yet issued Notices of Coverage (NOC), land issued with defective NOC, issued with NOC’s but may not had been properly received.
The 2011 data show, DAR has completed the acquisition of 18,414 landholdings with a total area of 120,286 hectares or an accomplishment rate of 60 percent. Of this area 8,397 hectares are exclusion from the same landholdings and retention areas of land owners. The actual land distribution of 111,889 hectares was released to 63,755 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB’s).
The Secretary mentioned that LAD balance of 961,974 hectares nationwide will be covered by the guidelines set by CARPER, around 93.58 percent of this is private agricultural land. Almost 85 percent is LBP compensable, the government will pay the landowners just compensations, and about 62 percent will be covered through compulsory acquisition (CA).
The government owned lands are easy to distribute. Voluntary modes of acquisition and distribution are easier because the landowner offers his land for distribution. There are two modes: Voluntary land transfer (VLT) and voluntary offer to sell (VOS). In the case of VLT, the government does not pay for the land because this is a direct payment scheme where the ARB pays amortization directly to the landowners. In the case of VOS, government pays for the land, distributes it to beneficiaries and the beneficiaries pay amortization to the government via the Land Bank of the Philippines.
In contrast, coverage through compulsory acquisition is loaded with legal and technical problems like missing titles, landowner is able to sell or transfer its landholding without DAR clearance, and landowner protests against coverage or petition for exemption.
In the province of Aklan, Mr. Erispe said that DAR accomplishment as of June 2012 is 91 percent. The actual remaining balance of land acquisition and distribution covers 1,000 hectares. This is mostly located in Batan, Altavas, Balete, Makato, and Kalibo.
The almost 1.0 million hectares landholding yet to be distributed to agrarian reform beneficiaries could be completed before 2014 if not from budgetary shortfall. The annual budget based on CARPER law is supposed to be P30 billion yet Congress has approved only P16 billion for 2011 and P18 billion for 2012. Nevertheless, DAR will vigorously pursue its mandate to emancipate tillers of the soil from bondage of poverty and want.
Mr. Erispe confirmed that problems exist with low amortization payments of ARB’s with Land Bank of the Philippines. Despite generous grant of 30 years instead of 15 years repayment scheme, farmers default more often. Moreover, technical support services of DAR is inadequate.
Econimic size farms of 3.0 hectares irrigated or 5.0 hectares rainfed are main features of agrarian reform in the early 1970’s. This means a farm family of six members is able to adequately meet basic necessities of life and render amortization payment to the financing institution. Today, land acquisition and distribution is less than one hectare. With the high cost of production inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, among others coupled with depressed palay prices during harvest time, net income is barely enough for survival.
It should be noted that farmers no longer have production incentive to quality seeds and fertilizers. The absence of liberal credit forced them to seek assistance from non-formal sources thus onerous term and conditions to pay for land preparation, pulling and transplanting of seedlings, weeding and fertilizer.
Under good weather condition, the average yield per hectare for irrigate areas is 3.9 metric tons. But when natural calamities occur like flood, typhoon, pest and diseases, damage to crops is not mitigated. It appears that Philippine Crop Insurance Coverage or RA 8175 is not implemented especially for self-financed farmers. This is quite frustrating since climate change makes everybody vulnerable to economic losses.
A remarkable one to consider to improve amortization payments is crop rotation. Planting vegetables like water-melon, squash, mongo, eggplant, and tomatoes after rice increase productivity, income, and nutrition. DAR and DA must actively collaborate on putting up demo farms in each municipality. Local funding may be provided by LGU because DA functions are devolved to LGU’s.
The target of 1,000 hectares to be given to agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province of Aklan for the remaining two years of CARPER could be the crowning achievement of DAR. As pointed out, it could be the hardest to hurdle but with patience and resoluteness, goal is achievable as Walt Disney said: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”. /MP
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