Barangay Poblacion, Koronadal City
May 24, 2024
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of electronic titles (e-titles) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to the farmers in Region XII at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center (SCGCC) in Koronadal City.
A combination of 4,351 CLOAs and e-titles for a total of 5,918.44 hectares have been distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to more than 4,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the Provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.
“Sa kabuuan, nakapagbigay na kami ng halos sampung libo’t pitong daang titulo, katumbas ng higit labing walong libong ektarya ng lupa dito sa inyong region,” President Marcos Jr. stated in his message.
He reiterated the Administration’s commitment to distributing an additional 2,000 land titles covering a vast area of 18,000 hectares to the farmers in Region 12 or SOCCSKSARGEN.
“Ngunit, hindi gaya ng mga nagdaang panahon, wala na po kayong taunang bayarin o amortisasyon sa lupang ito… Ang tanging aalalahanin na lang po ninyo ay kung paano gagawing produktibo ang inyong lupa at paano kayo magkakaroon ng mas maginhawa na buhay para sa inyo at para sa inyong pamilya,” he remarked.
The region-wide distribution began when President Marcos Jr. signed the Agrarian Emancipation Act or Republic Act No. 11953 that aims to alleviate the debt, including unpaid amortizations, interests and surcharges incurred by the ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, uunahin natin ang kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at papalayain natin sila sa sistemang nagpapahirap ng kanilang kalagayan,” he underscored.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable land use and food security, President Marcos Jr. urged all beneficiaries to work together with their local government units (LGUs) to secure their land titles and improve their livelihoods, thereby contributing to the country’s food sufficiency.
He likewise urged DAR officials to streamline land distribution and coordinate with various government agencies to provide comprehensive services to all Filipino farmers.
In addition, the Chief Executive reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards supporting the Region in mitigating the effects of El Niño and La Niña, as well as addressing climate change, to ensure that these phenomena do not negatively impact their daily lives and economic well-being.
“Hindi po namin bibiguin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo 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… Magtulungan po tayo. Sama-sama nating isulong ang masaganang buhay sa ilalim ng isang Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his message.
* * *