Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center, Dipolog City
May 24, 2024
“Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong gawing mas masagana ang inyong mga sakahan, mapagaan ang inyong pagha-hanapbuhay, at mapabuti ang antas ng pamumuhay ninyo at ng inyong mga pamilya,” expressed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when he led the distribution of land titles and turnover of other support services for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Region IX during a program held at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center in Dipolog City.
The President, together with Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III, distributed a total of 4,956 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) covering 7,214.70 hectares of land across the Provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, benefitting around 4,456 ARBs. Apart from these, farm machinery and equipment valued at PhP15.7 million were given to around 30 ARB organizations across the Region.
“Mula nang ako ay nanungkulan, nakapagpamahagi na tayo ng mahigit walong libo at tatlong daan na titulo na sumasaklaw sa mahigit labindalawang libong ektarya ng lupain dito sa inyong Region. Palalawigin pa natin ito, hindi lamang dito sa Zamboanga, kung hindi maging sa iba pang sulok ng bansa upang mas marami na benepisyaryo ang makinabang rito,” the Chief Executive reassured his countrymen.
“Iyan po talaga ang hangarin at dalangin ko para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino — ang magkaroon ng produktibo, maginhawa, at mapayapang pamumuhay. Makakamit po natin ito kung tayong lahat ay magtulungan at pinagbubuklod ng isang layunin,” he continued. He acknowledged all concerned agencies and partners for their relentless efforts in ensuring that government services are delivered to the people, including the DAR, Register of Deeds, Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) land management services, Land Bank of the Philippines and local government units (LGUs).
He likewise urged them to continue the work and further fast track the distribution of land titles and services for ARBs.
“Mga kababayan, patatagin po natin lalo ang ating pagkakaisa upang makamit natin ang mas mapayapa at maunlad na lipunan sa ilalim ng isang Bagong Pilipinas. Abot-kamay na po ang ating mga pangarap. Huwag po tayong susuko sa pag-usad nang sama-sama nating salubungin ang mas maliwanag na bukas para sa lahat,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his message.
The distribution of land titles and turnover of support services form part of the government’s crucial initiative to ensure clearer property rights and enhance the productivity and investment potential of the awarded lands.
The event also caps the ARBs’ years of waiting to finally become owners of the land they till, some of whom have waited over 30 years for their certificates. One of them is Mr. Ramon Siocon, a 75-year-old farmer from the Municipality of Polanco in Zamboanga del Norte, who waited 42 years to finally gain full ownership of about 1.7601 hectares of land.
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