As part of an ongoing drive to aid the underprivileged, especially in northeastern Cambodia, national and provincial-level working groups are speeding up the allocation of 6,000ha to people in Mondulkiri province under the government's social land concession (SLC) scheme, in line with its master plan, said deputy provincial governor Chhim Kan.

Kan revealed this at a gathering held to disseminate the SLC scheme on June 29 in Rayor Leuk village and commune in Koh Nhek district, according to the provincial information department.

Lim Chansophy, director of the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction and Cadastral Affairs, confirmed at the event that during the third phase of the land allocation project, 6,000ha will be granted to the poor residents in the commune. The land is drawn from areas such as the Biodiversity Conservation Corridor.

Expressing his delight that the province has been selected for the Cambodian Land Allocation for Social and Economic Development Project III (LASED III), Chansophy said that it will be beneficial to those genuinely in need of plots for homes and farming, particularly those holding IDPoor cards.

Rath Hok, the head of LASED III, emphasised the programme's focus on informing the public about local social land concession procedures, particularly those receiving the plots. The programme has also set a deadline for land occupation and plot usage.

Hok further cautioned recipients against acquiring additional plots beyond what has been granted, insisting that the local authorities should intervene in preventing unauthorised occupation of social land concessions.