Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
February 16, 2024
“Nandirito ako ngayon upang magbigay ng aking matibay na garantiya, na sa Bagong Pilipinas, ito ang ating puspusang gagawin: Develop Dinagat, Sulong Surigao, Abante Agusan,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said as he led the distribution of land electronic titles (E-Titles) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), as well as the turnover of certificates of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) and farm machineries and equipment (FMEs) in Agusan Del Sur.
In his keynote speech, the President recalled the projects of his late father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., who built a modern road from Surigao to Davao — the road which forked in Butuan, leading to Cagayan de Oro and beyond – citing the irrigation system in Cantillan, Surigao Del Sur and Maharlika Road which remains the backbone highway of the Island.
He stressed that agrarian reform should not just end with receiving titles but also giving all-out support, thus the turnover of certificates of farm-to-market roads and farm machineries and equipment to the local government units (LGUs) and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs).
President Marcos Jr. also emphasized that farmers must be freed from debts and be relieved of various constraints that impoverish them.
“Kaya’t noong July 7, 2023 nga ay nilagdaan ko ang Republic Act 11953 o ang New Agrarian Emancipation Act, ang instrumentong nagpapalaya sa mga magsasakang nabihag sa utang sa lupa,” he said.
Furthermore, he cited the establishment of the Agusan Del Sur Provincial Soils Laboratory by the Provincial Government, noting the modern project as the first of its kind in Mindanao and one of the agrarian reform programs that would help increase the income of farmers in the Region.
“Tama lang na suklian ang kanilang pagod at sabayan ang kanilang pagsisikap ng tulong ng pamahalaan. There is, however, challenge that looms ahead that will affect all of us severely if we do not get our act together,” the President reiterated.
To this end, the Chief Executive urged all concerned agencies to implement a comprehensive program which will combat the possible damages inflicted by the El Niño phenomenon.
“Together we will overcome all challenges. Sama-sama, nagkakaisa tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.
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