FASTTRACK LAND DISTRIBUTION TO FARMERS, PBBM TELLS DAR

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Friday for a whole-of-government approach to fast track the distribution of land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and extend various government services to farmers nationwide.

In his speech during the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and e-titles to farmers in Koronadal City, President Marcos directed the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to lead the job.

“Sa ating mga magsasaka, kami po sa pamahalaan ay katuwang ninyo sa pagpapataas ng inyong kita at pagpapaunlad ng inyong kabuhayan,” President Marcos said in his speech before the gathering of thousands of ARBs in Soccsksargen.

“Umasa po kayo na patuloy po kaming kumikilos upang pangalagaan ang ating mga yamang-lupa at ang ating kalikasan, at matiyak ang kalidad ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino, ngayon at sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” he added.

President Marcos visited Koronadal City on Friday to personally distribute e-titles and CLOAs to 4,271 ARBs at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Of the figure, a total of 1,619 ARBs are from South Cotabato; 1,645 from Cotabato; 707 from Sarangani; and 300 from Sultan Kudarat.

The President said the government has already distributed a total of 10,700 land titles to ARBs in Soccsksargen. The target is to distribute more than 2,000 land titles to over 2,600 ARBs in the region, he added.

The President assured the ARBs the government will continue to find solutions for all the challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the looming La Niña, and other effects of climate change.

“Hindi po namin bibiguin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob niyo sa akin at sa pamahalaan. Hindi po namin iindahin ang pagod sa paglilibot sa lahat ng sulok ng bansa maihatid lamang ang serbisyo para sa inyo,” the President said.

“Magtulungan po tayo. Sama-sama nating isulong ang masaganang buhay sa ilalim ng isang Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

The President recognized the valuable contribution of the farmers to the country’s economic development.

FARMERS’ WELFARE A PRIORITY IN BAGONG PILIPINAS

The President on Friday also assured the well-being of farmers is given priority under Bagong Pilipinas.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, uunahin natin ang kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at papalayain natin sila sa sistemang nagpapahirap ng kanilang kalagayan,” the President said at the ceremonial distribution of electronic titles (e-titles) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) in Koronadal City.

He said the New Agrarian Emancipation Act freed the farmers from debts.

“Sa pamamagitan ng New Agrarian Emancipation Act na pinanday natin kasama ng ating mga mambabatas, binura na po natin ang ilang dekada nang pagkakautang ng ating mga magsasaka na nauna nang nabigyan ng lupa ng pamahalaan. Wala ng kailangang alalahanin. Sinabi na namin burado na ‘yan,” President Marcos said.

“Isa ito sa aming mga programa upang mapabilis ang pagbabago at paglago ng ating mga magsasaka. Magiging susi ito sa pagbangon ng ating kababayan mula sa kahirapan,” the President added.