By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged farm laborers to use their lands productively and responsibly as he led the distribution of agricultural and residential land titles as well as financial assistance to beneficiaries in Pampanga.
During a ceremony at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, the President honored the hard work and dedication of farmers and farm workers in helping the administration in its bid to attain food security in the “Bagong Pilipinas”.
“Sa araw-araw ninyong hirap at pagod sa pagsasaka, pagtatrabaho, at pagtataguyod sa inyong mga pamilya, nandito ang gobyerno para suportahan at alalayan kayo,” Marcos said.
“Ang mga titulo na ito ay pagkilala sa inyong karapatan na magmay-ari [ng] inyong sariling lupa,” he added.
The awarding of land titles was conducted through the “Handog Titulo” Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), turning over land patents and deeds of sale to about 520 beneficiaries in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Metro Manila.
The DENR also distributed 5,000 seedlings to the beneficiaries, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) handed over P10,000 financial assistance each to about 2,970 farmer beneficiaries.
Each beneficiary also received family food packs from the Provincial Government of Pampanga.
“Gawin ninyong produktibo ang inyong lupain. Gamitin ito nang tama para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino, para sa ating mga komunidad, at para sa kinabukasan ng ating minamahal na Pilipinas. Ang responsableng paggamit ng lupa ay magbubunga ng masaganang pamumuhay para sa ating lahat,” the President said.
The Chief Executive assured that the administration will continue to empower farmers and help increase agricultural productivity by simplifying land titling processes and streamlining government transactions.
“Sa kabila ng mga hamon na kinakaharap ng bansa, nananatiling nakatuon ang pamahalaan sa aming mandato at tungkuling maglingkod ng tapat,” he said.
“Makakaasa kayo na inaayos natin at itinutuwid ang mga prosesong nagpapabagal at nakakaabala sa ating pag-unlad. Ang lahat ng ito ay isinusulong namin upang pangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Marcos was accompanied by DENR Sec. Raphael Lotilla, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, and Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda during the distribution event.
-av
