The Department of Agrarian Reform office in Oriental Negros has barely two years to complete the distribution lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to the farmers.

Out of the targeted 89,000 hectares of land, the provincial agrarian reform office is left with only more than 12,000 hectares to be distributed in the next two years.

Of the 12,000 hectares, 4,244 hectares were distributed in 2005 or a 100 percent achievement, provincial agrarian reform officer Stephen Leonidas said.

Leonidas admitted that, of the 12,000 hectares, 10,000 hectares are considered very problematic.

In these areas, DAR survey teams have encountered technical problems, erroneous documents, ownership problems and resistance from landowners, he said.

During the remaining two years, Leonidas said his office hopes to distribute 3,800 hectares to complete the target for Oriental Negros.*JG

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