MANILA, Philippines – President Bongbong Marcos headed the distribution of land titles and farm machinery to the agrarian reform beneficiaries in Western Visayas yesterday, December 11.

A total of 2,779 titles to 2,143 ARBs with a total area of 2,903.5134 hectares of agricultural land were distributed, the breakdown of which is as follows:

• Aklan – 207 titles (201.2704 hectares) for 184 ARBs
• Antique – 239 titles (293.4239 hectares) for 210 ARBs
• Capiz – 1,291 titles (1,541.2361 hectares) for 1,035 ARBs
• Guimaras – 37 titles (48.6781 hectares) for 33 ARBs
• Iloilo – 1,005 titles (818.9149 hectares) for 681 ARBs

Before the program, the President distributes farm machineries for farmers organizations. 

Selected Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) received agricultural machinery, equipment, and organic fertilizers totaling P26,712,987.38. 

An estimated 90 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations from Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo, with 20,806 ARBs, received the support services.

Marcos stated that the allocation of agricultural lands is part of the effort towards agrarian reform, similar to providing fertilizers and machinery to achieve the “magandang kinabukasan para sa ating magsasaka at para sa ating sinasaka at sa susunod na henerasyon.”

“With the distribution of these titles in Western Visayas and other areas, we are set to exceed our nationwide target for land distribution for the year 2023. So, para sa akin eto na ang pinakamagandang Christmas gift para sa ating lahat,” the president said in his speech.

The Chief Executive directed the DAR to finalize the distribution of lands with the help of other agencies. 

“We are doing everything to ensure that the land reform program would be completed under my administration. All holders of CLOA (certificate of land ownership award) who should be listed as beneficiaries should receive support from the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

“Let us all come together to empower our farmers, bring equity to our people and raise the productivity of our lands. We will continue to pursue food security, economic prosperity for the present and succeeding generations… So let us continue to work, let us continue to support our farmers. The farmers have done their part; it is now up to us in the government to do our part,” he added.

Marcos, together with the Department of Agrarian (DAR) Secretary Condrado Estrella III, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., DAR undersecretary Jesry Palmares, and Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares, headed the distribution held in Passi City. 

Sources: (1),(2)

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