TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas received several awards and recognitions at the National Summative Assessment for implementing the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project in the region.

The event, which took place in Angeles, Pampanga, from March 5 to 8, highlighted the region's exceptional performance in advancing agrarian reform initiatives.

Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu, along with the Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Renato Badilla, and the Assistant Regional Director for Administration, Ismael Aya-ay, proudly showcased the awards before the agency's employees and the Project SPLIT team.

Aya-ay expressed gratitude to the project implementers, acknowledging their relentless efforts and dedication, which were crucial in securing these prestigious awards for this region. He emphasized that the team’s hard work reflects the department’s commitment to excellence and innovation in agrarian reform.

Eastern Visayas has been recognized in several categories, including second place in E-Title registration and Across All Parcelization Indicators awards.

The region also secured third place in Field Validation and fourth place in E-Title Distribution and was honored with the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Outstanding Data Compliance Award.

For the provincial level, the DAR Leyte Provincial Office was ranked second in the Across All Parcelization Indicators category, second in E-Title Registration, third in E-Title Distribution, and second in Field Validation. Meanwhile, the DAR Northern Samar Provincial Office was likewise recognized for placing third in E-Title Registration.

Project SPLIT represents DAR's focused efforts on accelerating the subdivision of collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) into individual titles, thereby reinforcing the rights of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

With its comprehensive approach encompassing parcelization of collective CLOAs, capability building, and stringent project management with monitoring and evaluation, the project is a testament to DAR Region 8's unwavering commitment to ARB development.

Aya-ay exclaimed that the recognitions received are not only a tribute to DAR's hardwork and perseverance in Eastern Visayas but also a motivation to continue striving for excellence in the pursuit of justice and equity in agrarian reform. (Marvin R. Orquila/DAR-8)