DAR sets new rules on selection of agrarian reform beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has issued new rules and procedures on the identification, screening and selection of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB)s.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said Administrative Order 10 seeks to address issues and remove bottlenecks in finalizing the list of ARBs in commercial farms and plantations.

 Agricultural landholdings with notices of coverage and letters of acceptance in cases of voluntary offers to sell, and those with pending petitions for coverage, exemption or inclusion as of June 30, 2014 are covered by the new rules.

Farm workers under a landowner or a civil law lessee (arriendador) shall be considered potential beneficiaries.

Dismissed, terminated or retired farm workers at the time of identification, screening and selection process can still be considered potential beneficiaries provided they have worked on the land after June 15, 1988, De los Reyes said.

All potential agrarian reform beneficiaries should meet the qualifications set under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 and should be willing and able to do farming, he added.