A total of 327 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) have been installed and received titles on landholdings in four localities in northern Negros Occidental from the last week of November to the first week of December.

Facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform-Negros Occidental I, the series of installation and release of certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) were part of the land acquisition and distribution activities under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-CARP Extension with Reforms (CARP-CARPER).

On December 4, a total of 12 farmer-beneficiaries in Murcia town were awarded land titles to 5.85 hectares in Barangay Caliban previously owned by Arturo de Luzuriaga.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARO) Imelda Lazalita led the distribution of CLOAs.

In Toboso town, a total of 11 ARBs received land titles for 3.68 hectares of land formerly owned by the Rural Bank of Silay in Barangay San Isidro, on November 29.

Two days before, on November 27, a group of 219 farmer-beneficiaries was awarded CLOAs for two separate landholdings, totaling 109.88 hectares.

The first, also in Barangay San Isidro, was previously owned by Josefina Lizares, Lydia Lizares, Ruby Quitco Junsay, Concepcion Flores, and Rodrigo Mahinay, covering 32.49, 16.11, 20.75, 23.17, and 4.45 hectares, respectively.

The other property in Barangay Tabun-ac, which used to belong to the Philippine National Bank/Stephen Ampil, has an area of 12.88 hectares.

The installation and distribution of CLOAs were led by Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (Marpo) Julieta Mangao.

In Victorias City, a total of 48 ARBs received land titles for 53.029 hectares, formerly owned by Ma. Ofelia Bernal and others, in Barangay 14 in rites held on November 28.

On November 26, a group of 24 sugarcane farmer-beneficiaries was awarded titles to 15.9747 hectares of property in Barangay 10 that used to belong to Victoria Sandoval.

The distribution of CLOAs was led by Marpo Ma. Jade Sollesta.

In Sagay City, a total of 13 ARBs received CLOAs and were installed on a 6.69-hectare property in Barangay Malubon previously owned by Maria Theresa Llavore.

The distribution and installation rites held on November 28 was led by Fevic Ruth Gargantiel.

In mid-November, DAR-Negros Occidental-I also facilitated the awarding of land titles and installed 240 farmer-beneficiaries in the towns of E.B. Magalona and Murcia. (PNA)