‘Survey needed first before Boracay land reform’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) cannot proceed with the survey of lands in Boracay to be covered by the agrarian reform program unless the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issues a survey authority.

“We are still waiting for the survey authority to be issued by the DENR secretary since the lands in question are government-owned and under the supervision of the DENR,” said DAR Undersecretary for policy, planning and research David Erro last Saturday.

Erro added that the survey will allow the DAR to segregate the lands to be covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

“After segregation, the DENR will issue deeds of transfer for land that will be covered by (agrarian reform),” Erro said.

Earlier, a team from the DAR identified more than 800 hectares in Boracay that could be covered by the agrarian reform program.

About 25 hectares could be immediately subjected to land reform and distributed to 80 Ati families on the island. This will be the first phase of the land distribution.

The 25.7658-hectare property consists of 14.6643 hectares in Barangay Yapak, 10.0922 hectares in Barangay Manoc-Manoc and 1.0093 hectares in Barangay Balabag.

Erro said the second phase would include distribution of 220 hectares of agricultural lands and 600 hectares for the third phase.

“These lands are occupied by residential structures or commercial establishments. Removal of these structures will have to be facilitated first. It will take a while before these can be distributed,” he said, adding that the beneficiaries should be landless, at least 15 years old and willing to cultivate the land awarded to them.