LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 524 farmer-beneficiaries in Kapangan under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), authorities reported Friday.

Kapangan Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Jane Toribio said the so-called emancipation patents awarded covers a total of 474 hectares (ha) and represents part of the area targeted for distribution to qualified farmer-beneficiaries under the CARP in 2010.

Toribio said the remaining 106 of the 630 CLOAs targeted in 2010 will also be distributed by the end of June so that the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office will be able to offset its backlog last year.

The 106 remaining CLOAs for distribution, which covers around 154 ha, will allow the DAR to meet its prescribed target for this year to comply with the extended CARP.

Those awarded with titles are considered as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of the Agrarian Reform Community (ARC). Kapangan only has one ARC unlike in other areas,Toribio said.

CARP which was established in 1988, ensures and promotes welfare of landless farmers and farm workers, social justice and equity among rural areas.

The program was extended until June 30, 2014 aimed to increase productivity and raise the living standards of the country’s farmers, especially those living in remote communities   where life is difficult.

Prior to titling of CLOAs it undergoes several processes such as documentation and land survey. The bottleneck lies in the conduct of land survey where consultations are continuous said Toribio.

Transferability of CLOA will only take place after 10 years upon disposition of DAR so that they will be able to benefit from the lands which they acquired through the program, according to Toribio.

Transactions prior to the 10-year prescription may be allowed such as for loan purposes upon the consent of DAR but the beneficiary should have a valid reason in mortgaging the same so that appropriate safety nets will be provided to ensure that the farmers will still be able to take back their lands and utilize the same for the uplifting of their living condition, said Toribio.

ARCs are extended support services under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project (ARISP) with components of farm-to-market roads, livelihood, irrigation, post- harvest facilities, cooperative development, and potable water supply so that beneficiaries will be able to realize improved living condition and better quality of products that will surely command higher prices in the market.