By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday reiterated the government’s commitment to liberate farmers from hunger, poverty, and debt as he led the distribution of over 3,000 land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Caraga region.
In his speech during a ceremony in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, President Marcos declared that farmers must be “unshackled from debt, freed from high outputs, and relieved of constraints that impoverish them” to improve their lives.
“Hangga’t baon sa utang ang ating magsasaka, hangga’t nakasangla ang kanilang kinabukasan, hindi makakaahon ang buong bansa,” President Marcos stressed.
A total of 3,184 land titles were handed over to at least 2,769 ARBs from Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, but Marcos stressed that more have to be done as there are more ARBs who have yet to receive their titles.
“Bagama’t maituturing natin itong tagumpay, hindi pa tapos ang ating laban,” said the President, adding that he aims to accomplish the distribution of land titles to ARBs before his term ends in 2028.
From July 2022 to December 2023, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has awarded land titles covering approximately 109,199 hectares of land throughout the country which benefitted 98,203 farmers.
Meanwhile, DAR Caraga plans to give 10,659 hectares of land in the region to about 5,743 ARBs.
Last September 2022, Marcos issued an Executive Order No. 4 which imposed a one-year moratorium on the payment of amortizations and interest on agrarian debt.
Emphasizing the need for a permanent solution to agrarian debt, the Chief Executive signed in July 2023 the Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act which freed about 600,000 ARBs from debt, Malacañang said.
The President also turned over a total of 70 farm machinery and equipment worth P8.91 million to 11 identified ARB organizations and one cooperative.
Additionally, eight farm-to-market roads – which span 10.367 kilometers and cover the towns of Cagwait, Madrid, Carmen, Tago, San Miguel, and Barobo in Surigao del Sur – were ceremonially turned over as well.
“Atin ding bubuksan ang farm-to-market road projects na nagkakahalaga ng P194 million sa Surigao del Sur at pakikinabangan ng halos 35,000 na magsasaka,” Marcos added.
Caraga development
In his speech, the President also assured that the government will further develop Caraga as he thanked the residents of the region for their support during his presidential bid and his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.
Noting the region’s rich resources, Marcos claimed that it is a “shared responsibility” to ensure the future generation will reap its benefits.
“Andirito ako ngayon upang magbigay ng aking matibay na garantiya, na sa Bagong Pilipinas, ito ang ating puspusang gagawin: Develop Dinagat. Sulong Surigao. Abante Agusan. Hindi lang po ng pamahalaan pero nating lahat,” he said.
Prior to the distribution ceremony, the President also inspected the construction of the Soil Laboratory Building which is set to be completed next year and will boost agricultural productivity in Agusan del Sur.
The P550-million testing facility is capable of physical, chemical, and biological characterization of soils and can analyze 50-100 soil samples daily, with test results released in two to three days.
The laboratory will help farmers in choosing suitable crops for their farmlands as well as the correct type and rate of fertilizer to ensure optimum plant growth and development.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. accompanied the President in handing out 1,200 bags of certified palay seeds to five farmer-representatives for the areas affected by recent flooding. – avds
