The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in this region had successfully signed the Deed of Transfer (DOT) of the custody of the 79.0265 hectares alienable and disposable land located at Barangay Culi, Municipality of San Luis in Agusan del Sur for disposition of the latter to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in a simple ceremony held at the Lime and Zest, Watergate Hotel, Butuan City, on July 7, 2023.

 

DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo and DAR 13 Regional Director Atty. Merlita S. Capinpuyan did the signing of the DOT which is in accordance with Executive Order No. 75 signed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019 “Directing all departments, bureaus, Offices and Instrumentalities of the government to identify lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable for agriculture for distribution to qualified beneficiaries” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

 

In his message during the program, RED Tamayo expressed his appreciation and gratitude to DAR-13 for their effort to finally make the DOT signing a reality. He emphasized, “Issuance of title or land distribution is one of the means and an important precondition to really boost the morale of our farmers to develop the land productively for the benefit of the country.”

 

He also commended the DENR team led by Surveys and Mapping Division Chief, Engr. Juliet B. Ilogon as he expressed his hopes for more collaboration with the DAR to distribute more lands for the Caraganons under provisions of EO 75.

 

In her message after the signing of the DOT, RD Capinpuyan expressed her appreciation of RED Tamayo’s presence despite his busy schedule. She explained the purpose of the DOT is to give the farmers security of tenure over the land they till thru issuance of land titles.

She said that DAR has a support service system saying that after the issuance of CLOA, they will organize the farmers into a cooperative and then provide interventions, trainings, and livelihood. In the case of Barangay Culi, there are 43 occupants who will be organized and eventually provided with such support.