DAR orders revalidation of Bukidnon university land

Members of the BTL Milfa farmers’ group and security personnel of Central Mindanao University in a confrontation along the national highway traversing the university’s Beef Cattle Project and Field 1 area in November 2023. (Photo by Mel N. Velez)

MARAMAG, Bukidnon — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has ordered a revalidation of lands held by the Central Mindanao University (CMU) here, reopening a long-running dispute between the state university and a local farmers’ group.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III reversed an earlier ruling of the DAR Validation Committee that exempted CMU lands from coverage under Executive Order No. 75, which subjects certain government-owned lands to agrarian reform.

Article continues after this advertisement

In an audio message, CMU legal counsel Atty. James Violon said the order does not grant the contested land to the Buffalo Tamaraw Limus (BTL) Milfa (Musuan Inhabitants Landless Farmers Association) farmers’ association.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Instead, he explained, it directs DAR to conduct another evaluation to determine whether the property may be covered by agrarian reform laws.

Violon added that CMU has yet to receive an official copy of the order and, therefore, it cannot issue a formal response.

The university maintained that its ownership remains supported by court decisions, including a 2023 ruling by the Regional Trial Court in Malaybalay City ordering BTL Milfa members to vacate a 155-hectare portion of the campus.

The BTL Milfa has yet to issue a comment on this latest development.

CMU also cited a Supreme Court ruling affirming that its lands, covered by Presidential Proclamation No. 476, are reserved for agricultural education and are inalienable and non-disposable. /apl

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.