Forty-five farmers from Sitio Tugas, Brgy. Pilar, Hinigaran, were installed yesterday as new agrarian reform beneficiaries of the Department of Agrarian Reform 2 of Negros Occidental.

The beneficiaries were former workers of Hda. Margarita owned by Margarita Yulo-Gonzaga and has a total area of 36.5 hectares, Domingo Gatmaitan, MARPO Hinigaran, said. From the total area, 31.6 hectares will go to beneficiaries, and the rest to the owner for retention. The acquired area is valued at P9.4 million, Gatmaitan said.

Leonardo Asdallo, a farmer said the award came as a surprise for he thought it would never come and if it did, he may not be  alive anymore. He said he considers it an early Christmas gift from God that  should  be cherished and be kept for their children and their children's children. He added that the Certificate of Land Ownership Award is a tangible proof that the government is not leaving, but working for the farmers.

 Gatmaitan reminded the farmers of the wrong practices of the previous beneficiaries and said he expects the group to cultivate their lands and DAR will continue with its duty to ensure their growth.

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