By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday stressed the importance of giving land to graduates of agriculture-related courses to produce a new breed of farmers equipped with modern technology and tools.
During the ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to 1,217 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Coron, Palawan, Marcos said the country needs a new generation of farmers to revolutionize the agriculture sector.
“Sa araw na ito, higit sa 1,200 beneficiaries ang makakatanggap ng inyong CLOA at E-Title. Mabibigyan din natin ang mga kabataang nagsipagtapos ng kursong agrikultura,” Marcos said.
“Kailangan natin ng mga magsasaka. Kaya’t kasama po sa charter ng Agrarian Reform Program na lahat ng mga kabataan na dumaan at naging estudyante na dumaan sa kurso ng agrikultura ay mabibigyan din ng lupa upang ’yong kanilang natutunan ay meron silang paglalagyan, meron silang magagamit na lupa para magamit naman nila ang kanilang bagong natutunan tungkol sa agrikultura,” he added.
This as Marcos acknowledged that many of the Filipino youth do not understand the importance of agriculture in Philippine development, noting that many seek opportunities in sectors outside farming.
Marcos assured the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the government’s continued support to encourage them to pursue innovative farming strategies to develop the agriculture sector.
“Tuloy ang suporta. Nawa sa tulong na ito ay mahikayat kayo na maisagawa ang mga makabago at maunlad na pamamaraan ng pagsasaka,” he said.
As part of the efforts to enhance the ARBs’ economic welfare and boost the country’s agricultural productivity, Marcos led the distribution of CLOAs to 1,217 beneficiaries from the 1,234 E-Titles issued and registered under the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, with an aggregate area of 2,921.96 hectares.
Under the DAR’s regular program, an additional 53 CLOAs were also distributed, covering 4.8277 hectares of land in Narra, Palawan which is a resettlement area.
The land distribution was a breakthrough for the DAR after facing challenges that hindered the acquisition and distribution of the Busuanga Pasture Reserve, a vast tract of agricultural land in the island municipalities of Coron and Busuanga.
The agricultural lands were finally handed over to landless farmers, including 19 agricultural graduates and 50 rebel returnees.
During the event, the Chief Executive also led the ceremonial turnover of key farm-to-market roads (FMRs) to improve connectivity between farming communities and local markets, enhancing the economic activities and quality of lives for 1,075 ARBs in Palawan who are direct beneficiaries of the projects.
The projects include San Nicolas – Sitio Caniogan FMR, Sitio Nalbot – Arado FMR, and Busuang – Caruray FMR.
Changing farmers’ lives
Marcos also led the distribution of a combination of 2,588 E-Titles and CLOAs covering 2,643.52 hectares of land area to more than 1,900 ARBs from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo.
During the ceremonial distribution in Passi, Iloilo City, Marcos said his administration is committed to helping the farmers ease their plight and improve their productivity.
He said the land distribution is part of the government’s efforts to change the lives of Filipino farmers, acknowledging that their success contributes to the nation’s development.
“Ang bawat titulo ay nagbibigay ng kalayaan sa ating mga magsasaka—kalayaan mula sa mga pagkakautang, kalayaan [na magkaroon] ng tiyak na kinabukasan para sa kanilang pamilya, at kalayaan na makapagplano para mas maunlad ang inyong mga bukas,” he said.
“Ang ating pamahalaan ay batid na marami sa inyo ang nagkaroon ng maraming pagsubok sa pagsasaka. Pero ito ang pangako namin: Hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Lahat ng ito ay bahagi ng mas malaking layunin na tiyaking walang magsasakang maiiwan,” Marcos added.
