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Advocates Philippines
DAR Resolves Decades-Old Land Ownership Dispute, Prepares To Distribute 450 Land Titles In Tarlac
Photo credit: PCO
Tarlac, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced that it has successfully resolved a long-standing land ownership dispute in Tinang Estate, Concepcion, Tarlac. Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to settle all pending land reform issues, the DAR will be distributing 450 land titles to resolve the case.
In a press briefing held in Malacañang on Tuesday, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, stating, "I would like to inform everybody, most especially the public, of a historic accomplishment. The President instructed us from the beginning of his term to address all pending cases, agrarian reform cases because the President definitely subscribes to the adage that 'justice delayed is justice denied.'"
Estrella highlighted the department's efforts in resolving the dispute through multiple shuttle diplomacy and continuous dialogue with the stakeholders. He further stated, "Finally, we were able to resolve this case, and mayroon tayong nailabas na desisyon tungkol dito sa Hacienda Tinang" (We have issued a decision regarding Hacienda Tinang).
The President's instruction allowed the DAR to release the decision on the case, and no appeals or protests were filed, making the matter final and executory. As a result, the department will soon issue a writ of execution to implement the decision. Estrella mentioned that within two weeks, the DAR will distribute 450 land titles to as many families, ensuring peace and prosperity for the farmers.
The land dispute in Tinang Estate had been pending for almost three decades, initially starting as a conflict between a farmer and a landowner but later escalating into a dispute between two farmers' groups. The resolution of this long-standing issue is expected to contribute to the administration's food security program, as farmer beneficiaries will now be able to cultivate and increase agricultural productivity on their land.
Estrella emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers, stating, "The President, just like his father... during the time of his father and my grandfather, we provided abundant support services to our farmers." He assured that similar support services would be provided now, ensuring that farmers have what they need to stay on their land, cultivate it, and contribute to the nation's food production.
In a 50-page order, Estrella called for the immediate execution of the decision as part of the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process, in the absence of any restraining order. He also directed cooperatives and other agrarian reform beneficiaries who may be in possession of the landholding to surrender the land to the 90 agrarian reform beneficiaries awarded in the case.
Furthermore, the DAR chief urged all stakeholders to consider consolidating all pending related cases concerning the subject landholding, ensuring the parties involved and concerned stakeholders are bound by the decision.
During the press briefing, Estrella also reported that the DAR has resolved approximately 1,200 "vintage" land cases in response to the President's directive. These cases primarily involved land disputes that were around five to 20 years old. The department inherited around 2,300 cases under the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) and around 2,400 cases under Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI).
Estrella expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, stating, "I am happy to note that out of these 2,400 cases, because the numbers increased due to new cases, but my baseline is when we took over. By tomorrow, because I am set to sign the resolution of 200 more cases, we will reach 1,200 resolved cases. By tomorrow, we will catch up with half of them already, and we can be optimistic. We have more reason to be optimistic in the future."
With the successful resolution of the Tinang Estate land dispute and the upcoming distribution of 450 land titles, the DAR aims to create a more equitable agricultural landscape and promote the welfare of farmers in Tarlac.
In a press briefing held in Malacañang on Tuesday, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, stating, "I would like to inform everybody, most especially the public, of a historic accomplishment. The President instructed us from the beginning of his term to address all pending cases, agrarian reform cases because the President definitely subscribes to the adage that 'justice delayed is justice denied.'"
Estrella highlighted the department's efforts in resolving the dispute through multiple shuttle diplomacy and continuous dialogue with the stakeholders. He further stated, "Finally, we were able to resolve this case, and mayroon tayong nailabas na desisyon tungkol dito sa Hacienda Tinang" (We have issued a decision regarding Hacienda Tinang).
The President's instruction allowed the DAR to release the decision on the case, and no appeals or protests were filed, making the matter final and executory. As a result, the department will soon issue a writ of execution to implement the decision. Estrella mentioned that within two weeks, the DAR will distribute 450 land titles to as many families, ensuring peace and prosperity for the farmers.
The land dispute in Tinang Estate had been pending for almost three decades, initially starting as a conflict between a farmer and a landowner but later escalating into a dispute between two farmers' groups. The resolution of this long-standing issue is expected to contribute to the administration's food security program, as farmer beneficiaries will now be able to cultivate and increase agricultural productivity on their land.
Estrella emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers, stating, "The President, just like his father... during the time of his father and my grandfather, we provided abundant support services to our farmers." He assured that similar support services would be provided now, ensuring that farmers have what they need to stay on their land, cultivate it, and contribute to the nation's food production.
In a 50-page order, Estrella called for the immediate execution of the decision as part of the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process, in the absence of any restraining order. He also directed cooperatives and other agrarian reform beneficiaries who may be in possession of the landholding to surrender the land to the 90 agrarian reform beneficiaries awarded in the case.
Furthermore, the DAR chief urged all stakeholders to consider consolidating all pending related cases concerning the subject landholding, ensuring the parties involved and concerned stakeholders are bound by the decision.
During the press briefing, Estrella also reported that the DAR has resolved approximately 1,200 "vintage" land cases in response to the President's directive. These cases primarily involved land disputes that were around five to 20 years old. The department inherited around 2,300 cases under the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) and around 2,400 cases under Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI).
Estrella expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, stating, "I am happy to note that out of these 2,400 cases, because the numbers increased due to new cases, but my baseline is when we took over. By tomorrow, because I am set to sign the resolution of 200 more cases, we will reach 1,200 resolved cases. By tomorrow, we will catch up with half of them already, and we can be optimistic. We have more reason to be optimistic in the future."
With the successful resolution of the Tinang Estate land dispute and the upcoming distribution of 450 land titles, the DAR aims to create a more equitable agricultural landscape and promote the welfare of farmers in Tarlac.
May 31, 2023
