DAR launches New Agrarian Emancipation consultations

The Department of Agrarian Reform on Monday announced that it held simultaneous public consultations with its stakeholders last 1 September 2023 to obtain inputs to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act or Republic Act 11953.

The committee tasked by DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella to draft the IRR is chaired by DAR Undersecretary Napoleon Galit with DAR Undersecretaries Luis Pangulayan and Marilyn Barua-Yap, LBP EVP Alex Lorayes, Administrator Gerardo Serios and NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen as members.

Representatives of agrarian reform beneficiaries from all 15 regions including the BARMM and concerned farmers groups and civil society organizations participated in the public consultations.

Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Kazel C. Celeste led the Luzon leg which was held at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City. Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Jesry T. Palmares led the Visayas leg which was held in Passi City, Iloilo while Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs, Amihilda J. Sangcopan led the Mindanao leg which was held at the World Palace Hotel in Ecoland, Davao City.

The ARBs and farmers' groups raised clarificatory questions on the coverage of the NAEA and the process of obtaining condonation and the termination of payment of just compensation to landowners and gave inputs to the DAR officials present during the consultations.

The summary of discussions will be submitted to the IRR drafting committee for inclusion in the draft IRR which will be finalized during the full committee meeting with Estrella on 7 September 2023.

The journey of the NAEA — the singular bill passed by Congress from among the 22 priority bills of the administration — started barely a year ago when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 4, Series of 2022, imposing a one-year moratorium on the payment of amortizations by agrarian reform beneficiaries.