TACLOBAN CITY – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself led the distribution of 5,438 certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs) in Eastern Visayas, which distribution took place at the Tacloban City Convention Center on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Accordingly, said CLOAs were given to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, and Biliran in accordance with Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
RA 11953 aims to alleviate the debt, including unpaid amortizations, interests, and surcharges obtained by the ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
In addition, PHP10 million worth of farm equipment, including 200 machines, was given to farmer associations on behalf of 1,500 recipients. Among the farm equipment given were dryers, processing tools, and tractors.
Further, out of the 5,438 land titles, 5,400 are electronic titles issued under SPLIT, and 38 are CLOAs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
“Para sa nakakararami sa inyo, ito ang katuparan ng inyong matagal nang pangarap, ang pangarap na nakapangalan at nakarehistro na sa inyo ang titulo ng lupa na idineklara ng ilang dekada pa sa inyo na dapat alagaan at para sa inyong pagsaka. Ang pangarap na paunlarin ang kalupaan upang mas magkaroon ng sagana at magandang ani,” said President Marcos.
In addition, the president shared that his goal is to see the agrarian reform program completed during his administration, as it has always been a government priority of his late father, former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. “Isa sa una na instruction ng aking amang Marcos ang pagbabahagi ng lupang pansakahan upang mapalaya na natin ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagkakautang,” the president added.
During the said event, PBBM also called on the ARBs to help take care of government projects and programs. “Alagaan naman ninyo at pagyamanin ninyo ang mga ibinigay ng pamahalaan sa inyo,” the president highlighted. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail May 20-26, 2024 issue)
