GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across the country are experiencing tangible improvements in their livelihoods through the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT). The initiative, highlighted during a joint field visit with the World Bank in Region XII, transforms collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) into individual electronic land titles (e-titles), giving farmers stronger security and opportunities.

During the visit, World Bank Country Director Zafer Mustafaoglu and Senior Land Administration Specialist Sarah Antos met with ARBs and project implementers in General Santos City. Farmers shared firsthand how receiving individual titles has encouraged them to invest in high-value crops such as asparagus, cauliflower, and sweet corn. Secure land ownership enables them to confidently purchase quality seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and farm machinery, ultimately boosting productivity and household incomes.

As of December 30, 2025, DAR has distributed 411,787 land titles covering 558,917 hectares, benefiting over 380,000 ARBs nationwide. In 2025 alone, nearly 200,000 titles were awarded to more than 176,000 farmers. For many, Project SPLIT represents more than legal documentation—it is a source of dignity, stability, and hope for future generations.

While these gains are significant, the project also invites a broader discussion: having legal ownership is only the first step. Farmers still face challenges in accessing markets, credit, and technical support. Without sustained policies that complement land security, the full potential of these reforms may remain untapped. Project SPLIT demonstrates that land titles can change lives, but it raises an essential question for policymakers and society alike: Is securing land enough to ensure rural prosperity, or must we also build the systems that turn ownership into real opportunity?

(Larawan mula sa: Pinas Global News / Facebook)