Question & AnswerQ&A (DAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 14)
The agrarian reform program is founded on the right of farmers and regular landless workers to own the lands they till, or in the case of other farmworkers, to receive a just share of the fruits thereof, as provided in Article XIII, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution.
The principle of 'land to the tiller' is the state's commitment to social justice by ensuring that those who till the land either own it directly or collectively. This principle underpins the agrarian reform program and aims to empower farmers as part of broadening democracy.
The BARC is tasked to effect and facilitate the land transfer program in the community, assist in identifying beneficiaries and landowners, attest to the accuracy of parcellary maps, assist in initial land valuation, mediate agrarian disputes, coordinate support services, and help beneficiaries obtain credit, among other functions.
The BARC mediates and conciliates agrarian disputes within the community, including matters related to tenurial and financial arrangements, and coordinates with local conflict resolution bodies like the Lupong Tagapayapa to avoid delays from court procedures.
Regular voting members include four representatives of farmer/farmworker beneficiaries from sub-sectors (landless farmworkers, share tenants, lessees including ISF beneficiaries, and amortizing owners), one representative of farmer/farmworker non-beneficiaries (small owner-cultivators), one representative of agricultural cooperatives/farmers organizations, and one representative of landowners (small but non-cultivating). Representation is proportionate to the size of these sectors based on the land-to-the-tiller principle.
Ex-officio non-voting members include one representative each from the Department of Agrarian Reform (MARO), Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Bank of the Philippines, Barangay Council, and a locally based non-government organization (NGO).
Elected representatives and officers serve for a maximum of two (2) years. Representatives may be removed before their term expires by a majority vote of their sectoral group if they fail to fulfill duties, while officers serve at the pleasure of the committee and may be removed by a simple majority vote or upon serving their term limit.
The Department facilitates BARC formation in priority barangays through a pre-organization phase that includes identifying functional farmer organizations, disseminating information, and convening sector representatives. This involves cooperation between the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office, farmers’ organizations, NGOs, barangay councils, landowners, and government agencies to elect officers and formally organize the BARC.
People's participation ensures that the agrarian reform program is community-based and empowers farmers and farmworkers, allowing them to have a meaningful role in planning, organization, and management, which is fundamental to broadening democracy and achieving genuine agrarian reform.
In areas without a functional farmers organization or NGO, the Department of Agrarian Reform (through the MARO) takes a more active role in forming the base groups necessary for BARC organization and facilitates the identification and recruitment of potential beneficiaries and leaders.