Land transactions that REQUIRE issuance of DAR Clearance in the Philippines

 

I. LEGAL FOUNDATION

The requirement for DAR Clearance stems from:

1. Republic Act No. 6657 (as amended by RA 9700)

• Section 27 – Prohibits transfer of awarded lands except in specific cases
• Section 65 – DAR regulates land use and conversion
• Establishes DAR jurisdiction over agricultural land transfers

2. Executive Order No. 129-A

• Vests DAR with primary authority to approve/disapprove land transfers

3. Joint DAR-LRA Memorandum Circular No. 20, s. 1996

• Registry of Deeds shall not register instruments involving agricultural land without DAR Clearance

4. DAR Administrative Issuances

• DAR AO No. 1, s. 2019
• DAR AO No. 04, s. 2021 (streamlining clearance procedures)

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II. TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING DAR CLEARANCE

1. Sale or Absolute Conveyance of Agricultural Land

Includes:

• Deed of Absolute Sale
• Conditional Sale
• Installment Sale

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657, Sec. 27
• Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996

👉 Applies to:

• Private agricultural lands
• Lands already covered or subject to CARP

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2. Transfer of Ownership of Awarded Lands (CLOA/EP Lands)

Includes:

• Sale by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)
• Transfer to qualified beneficiaries
• Transfer to the government

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657, Sec. 27
• DAR AO No. 1, s. 2019

⚠️ Strictly regulated:

• Within 10-year prohibition period
• Buyer must be qualified beneficiary

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3. Donation of Agricultural Land

Includes:

• Donation inter vivos
• Transfers without consideration

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657 (DAR regulatory authority)
• Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996

👉 Treated as a mode of ownership transfer → requires clearance

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4. Exchange (Barter) of Agricultural Lands

Legal Basis:

• Civil Code (contracts) + DAR regulatory authority
• Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996

👉 Any change in ownership triggers DAR review

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5. Assignment or Transfer of Rights

Includes:

• Assignment of rights over agricultural land
• Transfer of possessory or usufruct rights (if ownership implications exist)

Legal Basis:

• DAR AO No. 1, s. 2019
• RA 6657 Sec. 27

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6. Subdivision of Agricultural Land for Transfer to Multiple Buyers

Includes:

• Sale of subdivided agricultural lots
• Development for distribution (non-conversion scenario)

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657 Sec. 65 (land use regulation)
• DAR administrative issuances

👉 DAR ensures:

• No circumvention of CARP
• Compliance with retention limits

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7. Transfer of Agricultural Lands Covered by Pending CARP Acquisition

Rule:

Even if not yet awarded, lands under CARP process cannot be transferred without DAR clearance

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657 Sec. 16 (acquisition process)
• DAR jurisdiction doctrine

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8. Lease with Transfer Features / Lease-to-Own Arrangements

Includes:

• Lease agreements that effectively transfer ownership
• Long-term arrangements with purchase options

Legal Basis:

• DAR regulatory power under EO 129-A
• Anti-circumvention principle of CARP

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9. Corporate Transfers Involving Agricultural Land Assets

Includes:

• Sale of shares where primary asset is agricultural land
• Mergers/acquisitions affecting land control

Legal Basis:

• DAR doctrine on substance over form
• RA 6657 policy against circumvention

---

10. Foreclosed Agricultural Land (Upon Resale)

Rule:

• Bank acquisition → no clearance at foreclosure stage
• Resale to third party → requires DAR clearance

Legal Basis:

• DAR administrative practice
• Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996

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III. KEY OPERATING RULE

👉 No DAR Clearance = No Registration

Under Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996:

• Registry of Deeds must deny registration
• Applies to:
  • Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) issuance
  • Annotation of deeds

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IV. TECHNICAL TRIGGERS FOR DAR CLEARANCE

A transaction requires DAR clearance if ALL are present:

1. Land is agricultural in classification or use
2. There is transfer/change of ownership or control
3. Land is within or potentially within CARP coverage

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V. FIELD-LEVEL GUIDANCE (DAR / LGU / ARBO USE)

Before processing any transaction, verify:

• Land classification (tax declaration + zoning)
• CARP status:
  • Covered
  • Under process
  • Awarded (CLOA/EP)
• Presence of:
  • Conversion Order
  • Exemption/Exclusion Order

👉 If uncertain → require DAR Clearance or Certification

Related article: Exemptions from DAR Clearance for transfer of agricultural lands in the Philippines

Exemptions from DAR Clearance for transfer of agricultural lands in the Philippines

 

I. GENERAL RULE

DAR Clearance is required for any transfer, sale, or conveyance of agricultural land.

Legal Bases:

• Republic Act No. 6657 (CARL), as amended by RA 9700
  • Sec. 27 – restrictions on transfer of awarded lands
  • Sec. 65 – DAR authority over land use and transfers
• Executive Order No. 129-A (1987) – DAR’s regulatory authority
• DAR Administrative Orders (e.g., AO No. 1, s. 2019; AO No. 04-2021)
• Joint DAR-LRA MC No. 20, s. 1996 – RD will not register transfers without DAR clearance

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II. EXEMPTIONS FROM DAR CLEARANCE

1. Transfers by Hereditary Succession

Rule:

Transfer of agricultural land through inheritance (testate or intestate) does not require DAR clearance as a prerequisite to transfer, although DAR may still require verification.

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657, Sec. 27 – allows transfer by hereditary succession
• Civil Code provisions on succession
• Recognized in DAR practice and jurisprudence

Notes:

• Still subject to retention limits (5 hectares per heir)
• DAR may issue certification instead of clearance

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2. Transfers to the Government or Government Entities

Rule:

Sales, donations, or conveyances to:

• National Government
• Local Government Units (LGUs)
• Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)

→ Exempt from DAR clearance

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657, Sec. 27 – allows transfer to the government
• Public purpose doctrine (eminent domain, infrastructure)

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3. Lands Already Classified as Non-Agricultural

Rule:

If land is not agricultural, DAR has no jurisdiction, hence no clearance required.

Includes:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Institutional

Legal Bases:

• RA 6657, Sec. 3(c) – defines agricultural land
• DAR AO No. 06, s. 1994
• DOJ Opinion No. 44, s. 1990

👉 Key doctrine:

• Lands classified as non-agricultural before 15 June 1988 are outside CARP coverage

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4. Lands with Approved DAR Conversion

Rule:

If land has a valid DAR Conversion Order, it is no longer agricultural → no DAR clearance required for transfer

Legal Basis:

• RA 6657, Sec. 65 – land conversion authority
• DAR Administrative Orders on conversion (e.g., AO No. 1, s. 2002)

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5. Judicial Transfers (Court-Ordered)

Rule:

Transfers arising from:

• Court judgments
• Partition proceedings
• Execution sales

→ May proceed without prior DAR clearance, subject to court authority.

Legal Basis:

• Rules of Court
• Recognized exception in practice and administrative interpretation

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6. Lands Not Covered by CARP

Rule:

If land is outside CARP coverage, clearance is not required.

Examples:

• Lands with slope > 18%
• Lands classified as forest, mineral, or protected areas
• Lands proven to be non-agricultural in use/classification

Legal Bases:

• RA 6657, Sec. 10 – exclusions
• DAR issuances on coverage/exclusion

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7. Certain Small or De Minimis Transfers (Limited/Conditional)

Rule:

Some DAR issuances recognize limited exemptions for very small parcels or specific situations.

Legal Basis:

• DAR Administrative Orders (case-to-case application)

⚠️ Note:

• This is not automatic; usually requires DAR certification of exemption
• Registry of Deeds often still requires proof from DAR

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8. Temporary Acquisition by Banks (Foreclosure)

Rule:

Banks acquiring agricultural land via foreclosure may hold property without clearance.

Limitation:

• Resale to third parties requires DAR clearance

Legal Basis:

• Banking laws + DAR administrative practice

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III. IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

Even when exempt from DAR clearance, the following may still be required:

• DAR Certification of Non-Coverage / Exemption
• DAR Conversion Order (if applicable)
• Compliance with retention limits (5 hectares)

👉 The Registry of Deeds typically will not proceed without DAR confirmation, even for exempt cases. 

“Land to the Tiller, Hope to the Nation: How CARP Helped Fight Poverty and Grow the Economy”

The Impact of CARP on Poverty Reduction and Long-Term Growth... (Based on the 2007 study by Arsenio M. Balisacan and Nobuhiko Fuwa)

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Many years ago, the Philippine government launched the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The goal was simple but ambitious: give land to landless farmers so they could improve their lives. But an important question remained: Did CARP really help reduce poverty and support the country’s long-term economic growth?

In 2007, economists Arsenio M. Balisacan and Nobuhiko Fuwa, together with their research team, carefully studied this question. They examined data from different provinces and looked at how land redistribution affected incomes, productivity, and poverty levels over time. Their findings provide an insightful story about how land reform works in real life—not just in theory.

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A Country with Unequal Land Distribution

Before CARP, many rural families in the Philippines did not own the land they farmed. Large landowners controlled vast agricultural areas, while tenants and farm workers struggled with low incomes and little security. Because they did not own the land, farmers had less motivation and fewer resources to invest in better farming methods.

The researchers believed that if farmers owned the land they tilled, they would work harder, invest more, and eventually earn higher incomes. This, in turn, could reduce poverty and help the entire economy grow.

---

How CARP Helped Reduce Poverty

The study found that CARP did have a positive impact on reducing poverty, although the effect was not dramatic at first. When farmers received land, they gained a valuable asset. Owning land meant they could produce crops for their families and for the market. Over time, this increased their earnings and improved their living conditions.

However, the researchers explained that land alone was not enough. Farmers also needed irrigation, farm-to-market roads, credit, and training. Without these, some beneficiaries remained poor even after receiving land. This showed that land reform works best when combined with strong support services.

Still, provinces that implemented CARP more effectively tended to experience faster reductions in poverty. This was especially true in areas where land inequality had been severe.

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Growth Comes Slowly but Surely

One of the most interesting findings of the study is that CARP did not only reduce poverty directly. Instead, it helped economic growth, which then led to further poverty reduction. This means that the impact of land reform was often indirect.

When farmers owned land, they became more productive and earned more income. As they spent their earnings in local markets, small businesses grew. This created more jobs and economic opportunities, not only in farming but also in trade, transport, and services. In this way, agrarian reform stimulated rural economies and contributed to long-term development.

---

Why Results Differed Across Regions

The study also discovered that CARP did not have the same impact everywhere. In provinces where agriculture was still the main livelihood, the program had stronger effects on reducing poverty. But in more urbanized or industrial areas, the impact was smaller because fewer people depended on farming.

This teaches an important lesson: policies like CARP must be adapted to local conditions. Where farming dominates, land reform can be a powerful tool for change. Where other industries are growing, different strategies may be needed.

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Challenges Faced by the Program

Despite its achievements, CARP faced several challenges. Some landowners resisted redistribution. In some areas, government support services were delayed or inadequate. Also, many beneficiary farms were small, making it difficult for farmers to compete in modern agricultural markets.

Because of these challenges, the study concluded that land reform is necessary but not sufficient to eliminate poverty. It must be supported by investments in infrastructure, education, and rural industries.

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Lessons for the Future

The 2007 research emphasized that agrarian reform should not end with simply giving land. Instead, it should evolve into a complete rural development strategy that includes:

• Access to farm credit and technology

• Better irrigation and transportation

• Training for modern and sustainable farming

• Strong market connections for farm products

With these supports, the benefits of land reform can multiply and create lasting growth.

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Final Reflection

In the end, the study tells a hopeful but realistic story. CARP did help reduce poverty and support long-term economic growth, but its success depended on how well it was implemented and supported. Land ownership empowered farmers, improved productivity, and stimulated rural economies—but only when combined with broader development programs.

The lesson is clear: fair distribution of resources can help reduce inequality and promote growth, but true progress requires continuous effort, good governance, and strong support systems. Agrarian reform, therefore, is not just about land—it is about giving people the opportunity to build a better future.

Aging Filipino Farmers, Agrarian Reform, and the Future of Philippine Agriculture

When you picture the backbone of our nation, imagine a pair of weathered hands—calloused from years of tilling the soil, planting seeds, and harvesting crops under the unforgiving sun. These are the hands of the Filipino farmer. And yet, today, the average age of those hands is 57 years old.

It is a sobering number. Within a decade, many of these farmers will be too old to carry the burden of feeding over 110 million Filipinos. The question then looms: Who will till the land when they can no longer do so?

The Aging Farmer Crisis

Agriculture has long been regarded as the heart of Philippine society, but it is an aging heart. Younger generations are increasingly turning away from farming, drawn instead to urban jobs or opportunities abroad. They see farming as backbreaking, unprofitable, and disconnected from modern aspirations.

This is the tragedy of perception. For too long, farmers have remained among the poorest in the country, often earning less than the minimum wage, despite their vital role. The absence of secure land ownership, lack of access to modern technology, and limited market linkages have only fueled this cycle of disinterest.

Agrarian Reform: A Promise Taking Root

And yet, hope endures in the soil. Through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and its successor initiatives, hundreds of thousands of farmers—known as agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)—have finally received legal ownership of the land they till.

Owning land is not just about a piece of paper. It is about dignity, empowerment, and the chance to dream bigger. It transforms farmers from tenants to entrepreneurs. It gives them the courage to invest in better seeds, to mechanize, and to join cooperatives that open the door to larger markets.

Programs like the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project are accelerating this progress, aiming to distribute over 1.38 million hectares of collective land titles into individual ones. Each land title handed over is more than a certificate—it is a seed of hope planted for the next generation.

A Future Worth Cultivating

Agrarian reform alone is not enough. The future of Philippine agriculture depends on making farming attractive again. Imagine farms where young men and women use drones to monitor crops, apps to forecast weather, and cooperatives that link directly with global markets. Imagine farming as a profession that brings not only pride but also prosperity.

This is possible when agrarian reform is paired with investments in training, credit, farm-to-market roads, irrigation, and digital transformation. It is possible when we tell the stories of farmers not as symbols of hardship, but as champions of resilience, innovation, and nation-building.

The Call to the Next Generation

The Philippines cannot afford to let its farmers grow old without successors. Food security, rural development, and national stability all depend on cultivating the next wave of farmers.

And so, the call is clear: to the youth, to policymakers, to private investors, to every Filipino who eats rice every day—support the farmer. Because the future of Philippine agriculture lies not only in machines, policies, or infrastructure, but in ensuring that there will always be hands willing and able to plant the seeds of tomorrow.

For when the last of today’s farmers hangs up his hat, the question will remain: Who will feed the nation?

MBG Farmers Irrigators Cooperative: From Agrarian Reform Beneficiary to Accredited Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA)

CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES — In a remarkable journey from tilling the land to transforming it into a center of learning, the MBG Farmers Irrigators Cooperative, an agrarian reform beneficiary organization (ARBO) in Region II, has earned its distinction as an accredited Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) under the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI).

From Land to Learning

Formed by a group of dedicated farmer-beneficiaries under the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), MBG Farmers Irrigators Cooperative has long been a vital force in the rural economy of its community. With strong roots in rice farming and irrigation management, the cooperative was originally organized to empower farmers through land ownership and collective productivity.

Today, it stands as more than just a farmers’ cooperative—it is a beacon of innovation and shared knowledge, recognized officially as an LSA, where it hosts learning sessions, field demonstrations, and technical trainings for farmers, youth, agricultural extension workers, and other stakeholders in the agri-fishery sector.

Building Capacity Through Agriculture

The LSA program, spearheaded by the DA-ATI, aims to recognize and support farmer-led farms that showcase effective, sustainable, and innovative farming practices. The MBG cooperative fits this mold perfectly. Its members have adopted diversified and climate-resilient farming systems that include:

• Palay production using water-efficient irrigation systems

• Integrated rice-fish farming

• Vermicomposting and organic fertilizer production

• Use of farm machinery for postharvest processing

As an LSA, MBG now serves as a hands-on learning venue where trainees can engage directly with actual farming processes—from land preparation and crop production to marketing and cooperative management.

Agrarian Reform in Action

The MBG Farmers Irrigators Cooperative’s recognition as an LSA also underscores the success of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s support services, particularly in ARBO development and sustainability. With the backing of DAR and its partnership with DA-ATI, cooperatives like MBG are not only increasing farm productivity but also fostering a new generation of farmer-leaders and agri-entrepreneurs.

Empowering Rural Communities

For members of the cooperative and the broader community, the impact has been transformative. Local farmers now have access to technical training without the need to travel far, while young people are being drawn back to agriculture through MBG’s inclusive, community-based learning approach.

“Our farm is not just a source of livelihood—it is a classroom, a laboratory, and a place of hope,” says [Cooperative Chairperson/Manager], highlighting the importance of farmer-led learning in rural development.

The Road Ahead

As MBG Farmers Irrigators Cooperative continues to grow in its dual role as a productive ARBO and a Learning Site for Agriculture, it envisions further innovation, partnerships, and youth engagement. Plans are underway to expand its demonstration areas, host more specialized trainings, and serve as a model for other ARBOs aspiring to become LSAs.

Its success story is a testament to what can happen when agrarian reform, cooperative empowerment, and agricultural education converge, building not only better farms but stronger, self-sustaining communities.

Court Orders Government to Pay ₱28.48 Billion to Hacienda Luisita

In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeals (CA) has mandated the Philippine government to compensate Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) with ₱28.48 billion for 4,500 hectares of land redistributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This decision overturns a previous valuation of ₱304 million by the Tarlac Regional Trial Court, which the CA deemed insufficient and not in line with Section 17 of the CARP law, emphasizing the need for "real, substantial, full, ample, just and fair" compensation.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of thePhilippines (LBP) were directed to pay the amount as of April 30, 2025, with interest accruing until full payment is made. However, LBP has clarified its non-liability, stating it was removed as a party to the case in 2024 and serves solely as a custodian of public funds.

The DAR has filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the CA's valuation did not adequately consider the factors outlined in the CARP law. If denied, the department may elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

This ruling is the latest development in the protracted legal battle over Hacienda Luisita, a sugar estate owned by the Cojuangco family. The Supreme Court had previously ordered the distribution of the land to farmer-beneficiaries in 2012, with compensation to be based on the 1989 land valuation.

As the case continues, it remains a focal point in discussions about land reform and equitable compensation in the Philippines.

• The case revolves around the just compensation owed to HLI for lands distributed to farmers under CARP. 

• The Previous Ruling:

  The Tarlac City Regional Trial Court (acting as a Special Agrarian Court) previously affirmed a valuation of P304 million plus interest, set by Landbank and adopted by DAR. 

• The CA's Decision:

  The CA ruled that this valuation was insufficient and ordered a higher payment based on valuation guidelines outlined in Republic Act 6657, taking into account factors like actual production data and delayed payment. 

• Landbank's Position:

  While Landbank acknowledges the CA's decision, it emphasizes that the ruling is not yet final and that it will comply with any final court directives. 

• DAR's Role:

  DAR has already filed a motion for reconsideration and is awaiting a resolution. If the motion is denied, DAR may elevate the case to the Supreme Court. 

• Significance:

  This decision is significant because it addresses the long-standing issue of land distribution at Hacienda Luisita and the fair compensation owed to the landowner. It also highlights the complexities involved in determining just compensation in agrarian reform cases. 

DAR intensifies its legal measures vs premature and illegal agricultural land conversions

Illegal land use conversion remains a significant concern in the Philippines, particularly regarding the unauthorized transformation of agricultural lands into non-agricultural uses without the necessary approvals.

Current Status and Challenges

Continued Unauthorized Conversions: Despite existing regulations, instances of illegal land conversions persist. These unauthorized activities often involve the premature development of agricultural lands for residential or commercial purposes without securing the required conversion orders from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Such practices threaten food security and undermine agrarian reform efforts.

Legislative Efforts: The proposed National Land Use Act (NLUA), aimed at harmonizing land use policies and providing a comprehensive framework for land use planning, remains pending in the Senate as of May 2025. The absence of this law contributes to inconsistencies in land use decisions and enforcement across different regions.

DAR's Enforcement Measures: The DAR has intensified its efforts to curb illegal land conversions by issuing cease and desist orders, conducting site inspections, and initiating legal actions against violators. For instance, in the Zamboanga Peninsula, the DAR has taken steps to prevent premature and unauthorized land conversions.

 

Legal Framework

Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (Republic Act No. 6657), specifically Section 65, the conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses requires prior approval from the DAR. Unauthorized conversions are considered illegal and are penalized under Section 73 of the same law. The 2002 Comprehensive Rules on Land Use Conversion further define illegal conversion as the act of changing the current use of agricultural land into non-agricultural uses without the required order of conversion from the DAR.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has implemented significant updates to its land use conversion policies through Administrative Order (AO) No. 03, Series of 2021, and its amendment AO No. 03-A. These revisions aim to streamline the conversion process, enhance transparency, and strengthen enforcement against unauthorized conversions.

🔑 Key Provisions of DAR AO No. 03 & 03-A (Series of 2021)

1. Streamlined Application Process

Digital Filing: Applicants can now submit land use conversion applications electronically, reducing the need for physical submissions and expediting the process.

Reduced Bureaucracy: The requirement for clearances from agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been removed. DAR now solely evaluates conversion applications, significantly shortening processing times.

2. Enhanced Enforcement Against Illegal Conversions

Mandatory Conversion Order: Changing the use of agricultural land without a DAR-issued conversion order is explicitly prohibited. Unauthorized conversions are considered illegal and are subject to penalties under Section 73 of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (RA 6657).

Performance Bond Requirement: Applicants must post a performance bond to deter premature land development before obtaining official conversion approval.

Public Notice: Applicants are required to install visible billboards (4x8 feet) on the property, informing the public of the pending conversion application. This measure promotes transparency and allows for community feedback.

3. Protection of Agricultural Lands

Non-Negotiable Areas: Certain lands, such as those under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), mossy and virgin forests, riverbanks, and swamp forests, are strictly non-convertible to preserve ecological balance and food security.

Highly Restricted Areas: Lands with Notices of Land Valuation and Acquisition or those under Voluntary Land Transfer/Direct Payment Scheme agreements are highly restricted from conversion to protect the rights of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

4. Specific Rules for CLOA Lands

Five-Year Cultivation Rule: Agrarian reform beneficiaries must cultivate the land for at least five years before applying for conversion. Additionally, the land must be fully paid, and the area should have become urbanized or no longer economically viable for agriculture.

Ten-Year Alienation Restriction: Even after conversion, CLOA lands cannot be sold or transferred to non-qualified individuals within ten years from the registration date without DAR clearance.

These updated rules reflect DAR's commitment to balancing agricultural land preservation with the country's developmental needs. By streamlining procedures and enforcing stricter regulations against illegal conversions, the department aims to protect agrarian reform beneficiaries and ensure sustainable land use.

 

Implications

Illegal land use conversions have far-reaching implications, including the displacement of farmers, loss of agricultural productivity, and threats to food security. The continued vigilance of regulatory bodies, coupled with the enactment of comprehensive land use legislation, is crucial in addressing these challenges.

 

Sources:

[1] https://www.panaynews.net/dar-warns-against-premature-illegal-land-conversion-in-wv/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DAR warns against premature, illegal land conversion in WV"

[2] https://www.lawyer-philippines.com/articles/land-use-conversion-for-cloa-title?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Land Use Conversion for CLOA Title - Respicio & Co."

[3] https://pia.gov.ph/dar-intensifies-legal-measures-vs-agricultural-land-conversion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DAR intensifies legal measures vs agricultural land conversion"

[4]: https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2021/07/19/383521/dar-allows-digital-filing-of-land-conversion-applications/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DAR allows digital filing of land conversion applications"

[5]: https://creba.ph/new-land-conversion-rules-to-boost-economic-recovery/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "New Land Conversion Rules to Boost Economic Recovery - CREBA"

[6]: https://media.dar.gov.ph/source/2021/07/06/ao-03-amending-certain-provisions-of-the-comprehensive-rules-on-land-use-conversion-under-dar-ao-no-1-series-of-2002-and-certain-provisions-on-dar-ao-no-1-series-of-2019-and-dar-ao-no-6-series-of-2019-to.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "[PDF] administrative order no. 03 - Department of Agrarian Reform"

[7]: https://www.scribd.com/document/612805337/Partially-Revised-By-AO-3-s-2021-Comprehensive-Rules-on-Land-Use-Conversion-FINAL?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Partially Revised-By AO 3 S 2021 Comprehensive Rules On Land ..."

[8]: https://www.lawyer-philippines.com/articles/land-use-conversion-for-cloa-title?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Land Use Conversion for CLOA Title - Respicio & Co."

 

Benefits of ARBO membership

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) under Presidential Decree No. 27 or Republic Act No. 6657 (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law) are encouraged to join agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) because doing so provides several benefits that can help improve their farming operations and livelihood. Here’s why they should consider joining:

1. Access to Government Support and Assistance

• Farmers’ organizations often serve as a bridge between ARBs and government agencies like the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

• Members may receive subsidized seeds, fertilizers, farming equipment, and training programs.

• The government provides financial assistance, such as soft loans and grants, to organized groups rather than individuals.

2. Collective Bargaining Power

• Farmers’ organizations help members negotiate better prices for their products by reducing middlemen intervention.

• They can advocate for better policies, infrastructure, and support services from the government and private sector.

3. Easier Access to Credit and Financing

• Many banks and lending institutions prefer lending to cooperatives or farmers’ organizations rather than individual farmers.

• Membership can help ARBs secure loans with lower interest rates for farm inputs and machinery.

4. Market Access and Stability

• Organizations can help members find buyers and negotiate better contracts, ensuring fair prices and reducing exploitation.

• Some cooperatives engage in direct marketing, bypassing traders who often underprice farm products.

5. Shared Resources and Knowledge

• Members can share knowledge on best farming practices, modern techniques, and climate-resilient agriculture.

• Organizations sometimes operate shared facilities, such as post-harvest centers, warehouses, or irrigation systems.

6. Stronger Legal and Institutional Support

• Farmers’ organizations help protect ARBs from land disputes, eviction, or unjust policies.

• They provide legal assistance and ensure that ARBs’ rights under PD 27 and RA 6657 are upheld.

ARBs are encouraged to join farmers’ organizations because doing so offers them economic, social, and legal advantages that can improve their productivity and quality of life. By working collectively, they can overcome challenges that individual farmers may struggle to handle. 

DAR allots P300-M to aid farmers during COVID19 pandemic

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has allotted PHP300 million to finance its ongoing project "The PaSSOver: ARBOld Move to Heal as One Deliverance of our ARBs from the Covid-19 Pandemic,” a project in response to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469, where the President Rodrigo Duterte directed all government agencies to provide, protect and promote the welfare of the people amid the COVID19 health crisis. Throughout the nation, there are thousands of CARP farmer-beneficiaries adversely affected by the COVID19 pandemic.

     Admittedly, the biggest and most important sector in the country affected by this crisis is the food service industry, the Philippines being a nation with a thriving agricultural backbone, the lockouts throughout Luzon (which later on expanded to some major provinces in Visayas and Mindanao) caused farmers and agricultural workers suddenly unable to produce, tend their farms, and market their products. It also resulted to laborers losing job opportunities resulting to massive loss of income.

     As the public were forced by the crisis to stay in their homes to protect themselves and their families, the local economy ground to a halt but expenses continue to pile up. Business establishments remain closed and some may never open up again. All of a sudden, the agri sector is experiencing the largest loss of income in human history due to the deadly and highly contagious COVID19 pandemic, putting a sudden stop to physical interactions and almost none on business transactions.

     According to DAR Secretary JohnR. Castriciones, the budget for the project will be taken from the realigned budget of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Sustainability Program (ARBDSP) and unobligated allotment from the different units of the DAR Support Services Office (SSO). The project aims to give essential support to ARBs for them to be able to perform their roles in ensuring food sufficiency in the country.

     The project intends to provide immediate and essential support services to men and women agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to mitigate the impact of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures due to the pandemic and to address the demands affecting the agricultural sector even after the ECQ has been lifted or upon the start of the “new normal.”

The PaSSOver: ARBOld Move project will provide enable the ARBs, individually and collectively, to continue performing their roles as frontliners in ensuring food sufficiency for the nation. DAR is assisting the farmers in the distribution and delivery of agri products by issuing quarantine passes so they could pass through checkpoints in critical areas under ECQ.

     The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) will also be provided with farm inputs such as seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm tools to enable them to resume planting crops for continuous food supply. It will cover 7,000 hectares nationwide with 90,839 individual ARBs to benefit from the project. ARB identification cards (ARB IDs) are also being issued and distributed under the PaSSOver: ARBOld Move project. The ID cards are being given to identify ARBs and facilitate their access to the government's social amelioration programs (SAPs). As of April 24, a total of 77,119 ARB IDs have been distributed by the DAR.

     The project will also extend its support to 1,200 women ARBs nationwide by providing them with livelihood activities, especially in food production such as egg and poultry production, hog fattening, and similar activities based on their preferences and capabilities to ensure they have food on their tables and products to sell.

    According to DAR SSO Undersecretary Atty. Emily Padilla, “the project will also provide packages containing supplemental food, hygiene products and vitamins to ARB households. Each package will contain 4 kilos of rice, 4 canned sardines, 4 packs instant noodles, 2 pieces bath soap, 10 pieces face masks and a bottle of 50 pieces vitamin C. A total of 126,565 qualified ARBs will benefit from these packages. “Helping our ARBs will ensure that their agricultural production, livelihood and income will continue during this health crisis. It will also ensure sustained supply of adequate, affordable and safe food necessary for Filipino consumers even upon the 'new normal' will be implemented,"

     Meantime, in Cagayan province, the DAR Provincial Office personnel are presently going around different municipalities distributing initially the relief packs for agrarian reform farmer-beneficiaries, to be followed immediately with the distribution of farm inputs and livelihood kits, to help farmers get on and move on to the new normal. (Photos by: Mimi Atal-Mora)
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