President Marcos Jr. speaks at the ceremonies on the distribution of land titles and turnover of FMR projects in Palawan, Sept. 19, 2024. (PCO photo)

President Marcos Jr. yesterday distributed close to 4,500 certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) and electronic titles (e-titles) to 1,270 beneficiaries in Palawan and the Panay Island.

The President first visited Coron in Palawan where he turned over 1,234 E-titles covering 2,921.96 hectares and 53 CLOAs covering 4.8277 hectares of land in Narra in Palawan.

Marcos said the distribution of the CLOAs and e-titles is a commitment of the administration to free the beneficiaries from debt. 

Beneficiaries included  19 agricultural students who finished agricultural courses and 50 former rebels who have returned to the fold of the law and chosen a peaceful path.

The President expressed hope the distributed lands would attract more students to avail of agricultural courses and adopt and implement more innovation and new technologies in farming and agriculture.

The President  also inaugurated and turned over three farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in the province.

These FMRs will  ease agricultural activities, improve the transport of goods within the rural communities, improve connectivity between farming communities and local markets; and enhance the economic activities and quality of lives of the resident of Palawan.

Marcos asked the beneficiaries to use their land titles and the FMRs for the benefit of their families and the community.

These are the 0.3-kilometer San Nicolas to Sito. Caniogan road in San Nicolas worth P14.489; 0.481-kilometer Sitio Nalbot to Aradoroad worth P14.92 million in Taytay; and the 0.58-kilometer Busuang to Caruray road in Roxas worth P14.89 million.

From Palawan, the President proceeded to Passi City, in Iloilo where he distributed 1,725 e- titles and 207 CLOAs covering 2,643.5 hectares of land to 1,932 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.

Marcos said that during his visit to the province in December last year, he was informed of the farmers’ needs and concerns, and the distribution of lands would be among the long-term solutions to their problems.

The President also turned over 51 ambulances, or patient transport vehicles, from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office  to local government units  and state-run hospitals in Western Visayas.