PALAYAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) honored the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) and announced the inclusion of retired soldiers in the agrarian reform program under Executive Order No. 75, series of 2019.
In her keynote message during 7ID’s 37th founding anniversary, DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Kazel Celeste began by extending deep respect and gratitude on behalf of Secretary Conrado Estrella III, saying it was an honor to join the men and women of the division in marking their decades of service to the nation.
“Thirty-seven years of selfless service, unwavering courage, and commitment to protecting the people, defending the land, and upholding the dignity of our democratic society is truly a legacy of faith,” Celeste said.
She reflected on the anniversary theme, “Pamilyang Matatag at Serbisyong May Malasakit – Sandigan ng Bagong Pilipinas,” noting that it captures the essence of who the division is and what it represents as an essential part of nation-building.
Celeste highlighted that the unit’s role extends beyond combat operations to anti-insurgency efforts, disaster response, humanitarian missions, and community outreach.
“In every barangay you have visited and in every citizen you have helped, you have been the image of honor and love for the country,” she told the soldiers.
The official shared that DAR often works shoulder to shoulder with the military, especially in reaching agrarian reform beneficiaries in far-flung and often vulnerable farming communities.
“As we distribute lands and titles and conduct dialogues with farmer beneficiaries, you are our bridge to ensure that not a single farmer is neglected and no farmer is left behind, and no matter how far or dangerous the location, we are confident that services will reach them because of you,” Celeste said.
She explained that DAR has great trust in the division’s ability to uphold safety, which enables services to reach those who need them most.
Celeste emphasized the importance of recognizing military families, stating that they carry the weight of every deployment, risk, and absence, and that their sacrifices are part of the division’s strength.
She also announced that one of the department’s key projects under Executive Order No. 75, series of 2019 is to include retired military personnel as beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program.
She explained that under this program, DAR identifies titled and government-owned lands, processes their distribution, and grants them to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries—including the newly added retired military personnel.
“When Secretary Conrado Estrella assumed office at the Department of Agrarian Reform, one of his very first projects was to ensure that our retired military personnel are included as beneficiaries under Executive Order No. 75,” Celeste stated.
This initiative is the agrarian reform sector’s way of giving back for all the sacrifices that soldiers have made for the Filipino people. (CLJD/MCAL, PIA Region 3 – Nueva Ecija GIP)