The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) have simplified the procedures and documents required under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), expediting field investigations and valuation activities of landholdings.

In a press release on Sunday, DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz said the completion of the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process of the remaining private agricultural lands has been a recurring challenge in CARP’s implementation.

“The current operational developments of the agency have compelled the DAR to incorporate amendments which resulted to the streamlining of LAD process,” he said.

Administrative Order (AO) No. 01, series of 2022, is an amendment to DAR’s AO No. 01, series of 2020 which refers to “Guidelines Simplifying the Land Acquisition and Distribution Process on CARP-Covered Agricultural Lands.”

Cruz said the amended procedures would accelerate the distribution of lands to the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

He added that DAR and LBP will conduct joint field investigations based on the approved or advanced survey plan. This way the joint field investigation team can verify the information in claim folders which in turn guide the land valuation.

Following the assessment, LBP will provide just compensation for the landholding.

Cruz said that the relevant DAR field officers are mandated to introduce appropriate strategies to continue LAD following procedures and timelines prescribed under the revised process.