Question & AnswerQ&A (DAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 08, S. 2003)
VLT/DPS is a scheme under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) whereby landowners of private agricultural lands subject to acquisition may voluntarily transfer their lands directly to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through terms mutually agreed upon, including direct payment in cash or kind, subject to approval and registration by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The guidelines cover private agricultural lands subject to acquisition through the Voluntary Land Transfer/Direct Payment Scheme (VLT/DPS).
ARBs under the VLT/DPS are determined by DAR as those who would be eligible to purchase the land under compulsory acquisition or voluntary offer to sell and must meet qualifications such as being landless as defined under R.A. No. 6657, Filipino citizen, permanent resident in the barangay/municipality, at least 15 years old or head of family at time of acquisition, and willing and able to cultivate the land.
Yes, only if the child is a tenant in their own right before 15 June 1988. If the child qualifies as an ARB under Section 6 of R.A. No. 6657, the land shall be awarded in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 04, series of 1994.
Direct payment may be made in cash or in kind under terms mutually agreed upon by the ARB and LO, binding upon approval by DAR. The terms must not be less favorable than the government’s offer, including interest not exceeding 6% per annum. Land valuations shall be based on Land Bank of the Philippines valuations of comparable lands where applicable.
If the ARB defaults on an aggregate of three annual amortizations not due to force majeure, a grace period of not less than one year shall be granted. Failure to pay beyond the grace period results in penalties including disqualification as CARP beneficiary, cancellation of CLOA, and forfeiture of payments made.
No, lands within the retention limit are not subject to VLT/DPS unless the landowner waives their retention rights in writing and offers those lands for CARP coverage in addition to excess landholdings.
Landowners who willfully obstruct CARP are penalized under Section 74 of R.A. No. 6657, disqualified from applying for VLT/DPS, their lands subject to compulsory acquisition, and cases may be filed against them in court.
DAR Municipal Offices and Barangay Agrarian Reform Committees conduct annual field inspections to ensure possession transfer, continued cultivation by ARBs, compliance with agreement terms, and adherence to alienation restrictions. Reports are prepared and unresolved issues are forwarded to the DAR Provincial Office for action.
The Order took effect ten days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation pursuant to Section 49 of R.A. No. 6657, adopted on 23 December 2003.