Project SPLIT Region 9

𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐗 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐓

On March 26, 2026 or the second day of the Problem-Solving cm Consultation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on deepening discussions and developing concrete solutions to challenges faced in project implementation.

The morning began with a recap of the previous day’s events, followed by an energizer. Thereafter, and building on the initial sessions held the day prior, participants engaged in focused group discussions aimed at identifying and addressing Problems, Issues, Needs, and Concerns (PINCs) across key areas: Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS); Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM); Administrative Order No. 02 (on Legal and Parcelization Processes); Joint Administrative Order No. 01 (on re-issuance of Owner's Duplicate Copy of CCLOA and correction of entries); Support Services; and other related matters.

During these sessions, CSOs, field offices, and project implementers worked together to analyze PINCs and propose practical, field-based solutions. These discussions encouraged open dialogue and strengthened the role of CSOs as active partners in monitoring and improving project implementation.
Following the workshop, Engr. Alfonso A. Tan, PARPO I and ESS Coordinator for Zamboanga del Norte, presented in plenary the consolidated list of PINCS identified during the focused group discussions, along with corresponding resolutions and recommended actions.

In her closing remarks, PARPO II Daisy Dell S. Digamon underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful outcomes. “Through continued dialogue, cooperation, and mutual support, we are better equipped to respond to challenges and find solutions that are both practical and inclusive. More importantly, when government and civil society work hand in hand, we create outcomes that are more responsive and meaningful to the communities we serve,” she said. She further emphasized that this spirit of partnership should continue beyond the consultation, highlighting that sustained cooperation is key to successfully implementing the project and uplifting the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The consultation continues to serve as a vital platform for aligning policies with field realities, reinforcing DAR IX’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and inclusive governance in delivering agrarian reform services.

𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐗, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐓

The Department of Agrarian Reform IX (DAR IX), through the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, conducted a three-day Problem-Solving cm Consultation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from March 25 to 27, 2026 at Villa Marietta Grand Hall, Royal Farm Resort, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The event brought together around 70 representatives from CSOs and Peoples Organizations (Pos), along with DAR officials, field implementers, and Project SPLIT personnel. Representatives from the World Bank, a key partner of Project SPLIT, also participated in the consultation via online teleconferencing.

The SPLIT Project, co-funded by the World Bank, aims to fast-track the parcelization of Collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CCLOAs) and facilitate the issuance of individual e-Titles to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). As implementation progresses, various technical and operational challenges have emerged in the field, prompting the need for a collaborative platform to address gaps and improve project delivery.

In his opening remarks, Regional Director Atty. Ramon E. Madroñal, Jr. emphasized the vital role of CSOs in ensuring the project’s success. He stressed that their active participation is essential in identifying gaps and crafting practical solutions, noting that the consultation serves as a follow-through engagement to strengthen collaboration and improve on-the-ground implementation.

From the DAR Central Office, Bureau of Land Tenure Improvement (BLTI) Director and concurrent ESS Lead Coordinator Lilibeth G. Lee, CESO IV, underscored that the consultation was designed as a localized stakeholder engagement to gather direct insights from field offices and partner organizations. She encouraged participants to raise specific landholding concerns during workshop sessions, emphasizing that their inputs are crucial in speeding up the implementation of Project SPLIT and improving the delivery of agrarian reform services.

World Bank Task Team Leader for Project SPLIT, Kathrine Kelm, attending virtually, highlighted the complexity of parcelization, noting that it requires strong coordination and sustained partnerships among stakeholders. She expressed appreciation for the support of CSOs and emphasized that land titling is only the first phase, with a second phase focused on support services for ARBs through the proposed Inclusive Partnerships for Agrarian Reform Communities (IPARC), targeted for implementation in 2027. She encouraged participants to openly share their insights on how to improve and accelerate processes.

Meanwhile, Director Jamil P. Amatonding Jr., of DAR Central Office Client Relations Service (CRS), provided context regarding the roots of agrarian reform by explaining that land distribution stems from the government’s long-standing commitment to bring services closer to farmers. He noted that Project SPLIT not only ensures individual land ownership but also aims to provide support services that will help farmer-beneficiaries improve productivity and contribute to food security. He reaffirmed that the Department remains committed to listening to and addressing the concerns of ARBs to help uplift their lives.

Following the welcoming messages, discussions ensued. An introduction to Project SPLIT was given by Project Engineer Ronald Y. Gadaingan, followed by an overview of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and World Bank standards by ESS Specialist Joemar B. Lacaya. In the afternoon, key technical discussions on the following took place: Grievance Redress Mechanisms presented by the Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicator, Atty. Jessica T. Agagon; Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2024 covering Legal Processes, Qualifications and Disqualifications of ARBs by RMPO Legal Specialist Atty. Adrian Fabian, and on the Parcelization Process by Engr. Ronald Y. Gadaingan.

Following these key presentations were discussions led by Atty. Carrie Nizva Refugio, Chief Legal of Zamboanga Sibugay, on the DAR-LRA Joint Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2024. This order clarified the procedures related to land registration and coordination. Additionally, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Engr. Agnes Y. Maata also emphasized the importance of support services, highlighting the need to complement land tenure security with development interventions for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Expected outputs of the event include a consolidated list of Problems, Issues, Needs and Concerns (PINCs) with corresponding resolutions, as well as Operational Directives and Agreed Ways Forward to guide the next steps of Project SPLIT implementation in the region, which will be undertaken tomorrow, March 26, during Day 2 of the event.

Through this initiative, DAR IX reaffirms its commitment to inclusive governance and continuous collaboration with CSOs, ensuring that agrarian reform programs remain responsive, effective, and beneficial to farmers and rural communities across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

While the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is currently implementing Project SPLIT to improve the land tenure security of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) through the issuance of individual land titles, it is also completing the second piece of the puzzle, the Inclusive Partnerships for Agrarian Reform Communities (IPARC).

READ MORE: Completing Project SPLIT with IPARC: The World Bank, DAR Region 1 successfully conduct first Commodity Cluster Farm visit in Region 1 bit.ly/IPARCFirstCCFVisitinR1

WATCH: The World Bank, DAR Region 1 successfully conduct first cluster farm visit in Region 1 for IPARC bit.ly/FirstIPARCCCFinR1AV

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝟗 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐬: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On February 24-26, 2026, the Project SPLIT Region 9 Strategic Communications (StratComms) team convened for the Strategic Convergence in Aligning Regional StratComms and Information Initiatives for 2026. This session set the direction for communication priorities and targets for the year.

The planning session brought together the Regional and Provincial Information Officers (RIO and PIOs), and media writers and graphic artists from the Regional Office, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay Province.
During the activity, the team reviewed its performance in 2025, noting that all regional and provincial targets were successfully met. Building on this achievement, the team established higher targets and outlined key initiatives to further strengthen public awareness and stakeholder engagement for Project SPLIT and agrarian reform programs.

Among the priority initiatives for 2026 are the continued implementation of the “Kape at Balitang Agraryo” radio program, the development of a regional coffee table book featuring success stories of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and ARB organizations (ARBOs), the second staging of the PelikulAgraryo Film Festival, and intensified content production for social media platforms, including videos, reels, and feature stories.

In her opening remarks, Regional Strategic Media Coordinator Suzette T. Lota expressed appreciation for the team’s dedication and hard work, noting that their commitment has been instrumental in achieving the region’s communication goals. She acknowledged the contributions of outgoing team members, welcomed new media writers and graphic artists from the provincial offices, and emphasized that with the strengthened team, StratComms is well-positioned to deliver more impactful and responsive information services in 2026.

The planning session also focused on improving coordination among regional and provincial information officers, enhancing creative capabilities, and ensuring the timely submission of communication outputs required by the Central Office.
With renewed strategies and an expanded team, Project SPLIT Region 09 StratComms aims to enhance visibility of agrarian reform accomplishments, strengthen public trust, and effectively deliver information services across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐗 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐄𝐌𝐂𝐎 𝐓𝐖𝐆 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐓

The Department of Agrarian Reform Region IX (DAR IX) conducted a Technical Working Group (TWG) Conference on Updates of Parcelization and Development Initiatives for the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of Marcelo Cooperative (ARBEMCO) under Project SPLIT. The conference took place on February 19, 2026 at Sibugay Hotel, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Key officials from the DAR Regional Office attended the conference, including Regional Director Atty. Ramon E. Madroñal, Jr., Assistant Regional Director for Operations Engr. Agnes Y. Maata, Project SPLIT Consultant and former Regional Director Julita Ragandang, and Project Manager Engr. Ronald Gadaingan. Also present were ARBEMCO Chairman Hector Igot and cooperative members, highlighting the collaborative effort between DAR and the beneficiaries to advance the project.

In his opening remarks, Regional Director Madroñal stressed the urgency of accelerating the implementation of Project SPLIT. He pointed out that the project is time-bound, aiming for completion in 2026, with 2027 dedicated to financial closing activities. He expressed concerns regarding delays in finalizing the ARBEMCO landholding, particularly with the masterlist of agrarian reform beneficiaries that has yet to be completed, despite field validation finishing in March 2024. He emphasized that generating individual titles for ARBEMCO’s numerous beneficiaries is crucial for meeting the overall Project SPLIT targets in the region and called for swift action to advance the process.

The conference aimed to consolidate and validate the latest status of parcelization activities, identify implementation issues, and ensure the timely submission of updated reports. Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Peter Paul Cajocon noted that the data gathered during the conference would help finalize the ARBEMCO Operations Manual and provide management with a comprehensive basis for assessing progress, addressing operational gaps, and determining appropriate interventions.

During the program, SPLIT Parcelization Coordinator Teodulo Yanoyan, Jr., presented the current status of parcelization, while ARBEMCO Chairman Hector Igot shared the issues and constraints encountered by the beneficiaries. Engr. Gadaingan led the review and final presentation of the ARBEMCO Policy Manual, followed by an open discussion among participants. Engr. Alfonso Tan, Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Coordinator, facilitated the formulation of the ways forward, agreements, and action plan.

In her closing remarks, ARDO Maata reaffirmed DAR’s commitment to closely monitor the implementation and work hand in hand with ARBEMCO to ensure the timely completion of parcelization and the issuance of individual land titles.
The conference highlighted the continued efforts of DAR IX and the Regional Project Management Office to fast-track Project SPLIT, strengthen cooperative readiness, and secure land ownership for qualified ARBEMCO beneficiaries.

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We are Hiring!

DAR Project SPLIT, Regional Project Management IX, is looking for (1) Legal Assistant I.

Deadline of Application: February 20, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Full Details: https://bit.ly/3OmTftW
Submit your applications:
Joiecel Building, Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City

We are Hiring!

DAR Project SPLIT, Regional Project Management IX, is looking for (1) Legal Specialist and (2) Legal Case Monitory System (LCMS) Encoder.

Deadline of Application: February 12, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Full Details:
Legal Specialist: https://bit.ly/4ajOLvB
LCMS Encoder: https://bit.ly/4kmla9p
Submit your applications:
Joiecel Building, Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City

We are Hiring!

DAR Project SPLIT, Regional Project Management IX, is looking for (1) Finance and Procurement Support Staff.

Deadline of Application: February 01, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Submit your applications:
Joiecel Building, Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City

We are Hiring!

DAR Project SPLIT, Regional Project Management IX, is looking for (4) Regional Geographic Information System (GIS) Support Staff.

Deadline of Application: January 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Full Details: https://bit.ly/3YSWMlR
Submit your applications:
Joiecel Building, Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City

We are Hiring!

DAR Project SPLIT, Regional Project Management IX, is looking for (1) Finance Support Staff.

Deadline of Application: January 08, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Full Details: https://bit.ly/3LvnJZE
Submit your applications:
Joiecel Building, Veterans Avenue Extension, Tumaga, Zamboanga City