The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the World Bank held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from 14 municipalities in Sorsogon to assess their needs after receiving their land titles. 

The activity was part of the 11th World Bank Implementation Support Mission for Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT), which aims to strengthen land tenure security and help ARBs maximize the benefits of agricultural productivity through the provision of various support services.

During the discussion, many ARBs shared that they are not yet members of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), limiting their access to government support programs. World Bank Senior Land Administration Specialist Kathrine Kelm encouraged them to join or form cooperatives to gain access to crucial assistance. 

“By joining a cooperative, you will be able to benefit from government programs, including access to credit, Farm Machineries and Equipment (FMEs), and agricultural training. This is vital for your growth as farmers and entrepreneurs,” Kelm emphasized.

The ARBs also expressed interest in training programs on value-adding techniques for their agricultural products to improve market competitiveness, modern farming methods, and agripreneurship to improve their income and productivity. 

In response, DAR SPLIT regional project director Reuben Theodore Sindac assured the ARBs of DAR’s commitment to organizing them into ARBOs. 

“Through ARBOs, we can provide essential support services, such as FMEs, financial assistance and technical training, to enhance your agricultural productivity and economic sustainability,” Sindac stated.

Following the discussion, DAR-Sorsogon facilitated the distribution of electronic land titles (e-titles) to seven ARBs from Bacon, Donsol and Magallanes, covering a total of 10.8 hectares of agricultural land. 

ARB Allan Nazareno, a former farmworker from Juban, Sorsogon was happy for his family. “Owning this land secures my family’s future. We no longer have to share profits with a landowner — we can now fully enjoy the rewards of our hard work,” Nazareno shared.

Similarly, Silvestre and Maya Abella of Bacon, Sorsogon expressed their gratitude after years of shared ownership under a collective title. 

“Before, we had to consult multiple people before making any farming decisions, which often led to disputes. Now, we have complete control over our land and can plant our crops freely without conflicts,” Silvestre said.