PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday led the distribution of 2,867 hectares of agricultural lands in the Central Visayas region, along with other forms of cash and farming assistance.
The President, in his speech during the distribution in Dumaguete City of 3,855 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and land titles covering 2,867 hectares to nearly 4,000 farmers in Central Visayas, said the government is set to distribute more lands to other farmers in the country in fulfillment of his promise to provide lands to landless farmers.
“Alam naman po namin na marami po sa inyo ay matagal nang nangangarap at nagsisikap upang magkaroon ng sariling lupa para sa inyong hanapbuhay. Eto na po at tinutupad po natin ang pangarap ninyo (We know that many of you have been dreaming and working hard to own your own lands. This is the realization of your dreams),” he said.
“Ito po ay simbulo ng taos-pusong pasasalamat ng sambayanang Pilipino para sa inyong walang sawang pagsisikap at katatagan sa pagsasaka sa ilalim ng init ng araw, sa gitna ng masamang panahon, at sa harap ng maraming pagsubok (This symbolizes the heartfelt gratitude of the Filipinos for your never ending sacrifice and steady toiling under the sun, the middle of a bad weather and in the face of challenges),” he added.
To date, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has awarded 4,614 hectares of land in Region VII this year, and a total of 15,163 hectares of land to 9,549 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide. This is 65 percent of the annual target of 23,216 hectares of land to be distributed this year.
The President, accompanied by DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, also distributed P17.5 million in agrarian equipment to around 3,268 beneficiaries in Central Visayas.
This includes five units of four-wheel tractors and a food dehydrator, which is targeted to benefit 1,940 beneficiaries in Negros Oriental, and tractors, tricycles, floating tillers, grass cutters, food dehydrators and corn mills to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor.
Seven farm-to-market roads (FMRs) located in the municipalities of Amlan, Dauin, Ayungon, Tanjay, Tayasan, Bindoy and Bais City worth P100 million and funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund in Negros Oriental was also turned over, along with P34 million worth of farm-to-market roads in Siquijor.
In the afternoon, the President led the distribution in Tacloban City of 5,400 land titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project and 38 CLOAs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas.
These form part of the 7,914 hectares of land located in several towns in Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, benefiting around 5,906 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Marcos also led the distribution P509.45 million worth of support services interventions to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations and communities, consisting of farm-to-market roads, Pang-Agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM Bridges), irrigation projects, farm machinery and equipment.
The President said these key government projects aims to uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), such as the P350 million farm-to-market roads (FRMs) that are being constructed in Cabarasan Daku-San Agustin and San Agustin-Cangumbang both in Palo, Leyte; and in Barangays Kawayan-Sto. Niño and Crossing San Roque-Sitio Kulapniton, both in Tacloban City; and the P78 million worth of PBBM Bridges in Southern Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar.
Marcos also said the government has allotted more than P71 million for the irrigation projects in the region such as the Cabibihan Small Irrigation Project in Biliran, the Solar Powered Pump Scheme and for the construction of irrigation facilities in Catubig, Northern Samar, and the ongoing construction of the Himay-angan Small Irrigation Project in Southern Leyte.
He said the government also provided more than 2,000 machineries and other equipment worth P10.28 million to 1,694 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas.
The DAR is also providing loans and other financial aid to farmers to enable them to start small businesses and come up with other forms of livelihood, especially during this El Niño period.
Marcos directed DAR to coordinate with other agencies of government such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Labor and Employment DOLE for livelihood aid and services to the farmers and their families.
