The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Friday said it has strengthened its partnership with the World Bank through a two-day field consultation in Iloilo, reinforcing efforts to accelerate the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project and deliver faster, more secure land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide.
Held in Barangay Bagongbong, Lambunao, the consultation gathered project teams and community stakeholders to revisit and enhance the project’s Environmental and Social Management Assessment (ESA). The review aimed to strengthen safeguards, ensure socially inclusive implementation, and align project strategies with actual conditions on the ground after four years of execution.
The activity provided ARBs with a direct platform to voice concerns, share experiences, and help shape solutions that protect their rights, livelihoods, and environment. According to DAR, this face-to-face engagement improves project responsiveness and reinforces community trust in the land titling process.
“We are so thankful for this activity because through this consultation, we can have a face-to-face discussion with the representatives from the World Bank,” ARB Norma Cordilla said.
DAR officials from the national, regional, and provincial levels were joined by World Bank specialists to evaluate the project’s progress and address emerging environmental and social concerns linked to land parcelization efforts. The mission aims to reinforce project safeguards, deepen community participation, and ensure that land titling activities protect both farmers and local natural resources.
The World Bank delegation included Senior Land Specialist and Co-Task Team Leader Sarah Elizabeth Antos, Senior Rural Development Specialist and Co-Task Team Leader Maria Theresa Quiñones, Social Development Coordinator Jun Zheng, and Social Safeguards Specialist Mary Ann Botengan. They were joined by DAR Central Office officials and DAR Region VI representatives led by Assistant Regional Director Anthony Arostique and PARPO II Harriet Loot.
DAR stressed that sustained coordination with development partners strengthens transparency, accountability, and efficiency as the SPLIT Project enters its advanced implementation stage. Regular field consultations, the agency noted, help ensure that ARBs fully benefit from legally secure land ownership, improved access to credit, and greater opportunities for farm productivity and investment.