ALABEL, Sarangani (PIA) – Farmers who received land titles here expressed thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying that this will transform their lives and their future.
“Naghimo [atong Presidente] ug pamaagi nga diin legal na gyud ang among panag-iya. Di na gyud ni makuha sa lain kay amo mang pangalan ang nakasulat sa titulo,” said Warlito Tommy, an agrarian reform beneficiary from Malapatan, Sarangani. (Our President’s efforts have made us the lawful owner of the land, with our name in the title, nobody can take it away.)
He said the land title now provides them with a foundation for securing their future, promising to improve the land he now owns.
Similarly, Rey Salado, a beneficiary from Alabel, also expressed his appreciation for the land title he received after 10 years.
“Malaking pasasalamat namin dahil kasi hindi lang pakunwari na amin ang lupa, totoo talaga dahil may hinahawakan na kami na totoong papeles,” Salado said, visibly relieved and grateful for the formal recognition of his land ownership. (We are grateful that we possess genuine documents that confirm our ownership of the land.)
The agrarian reform program of the government aims to address poverty and food insecurity in rural areas by enabling beneficiaries to invest in their land, improve agricultural productivity, and increase their income.
President Marcos Jr. recently awarded 1,251 land titles to 1,252 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Sarangani Province on Thursday, December 5, covering a total of 2,174.52 hectares of agricultural land.
During the event, the President emphasized the government’s continuous efforts to support the agricultural sector and find innovative ways to improve farming practices.
“Patuloy po ang national government, kasama ang lokal na pamahalaan, sa pag-iisip ng mga bagong paraan kung papaano pa kayo masuportahan. Pinag-aaralan po namin ang mga hakbang upang makasabay ang sektor ng agrikultura sa modernong pamamaraan ng pag-aani,” he said, reinforcing the government’s commitment to modernization and sustainable agricultural practices.
(The national government, together with the local government, continues to explore new ways to support you. We are studying every measure to help the agricultural sector keep pace with modern farming methods.)
The Ppresident also distributed 13,527 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM), resolving over P939 million in farmers’ debt in the Soccsksargen Region.
He then urged Filipinos to continue working together to uplift the country and take full advantage of the opportunities presented by government programs such as the Agrarian Reform Program.
“Bigyan natin ng kagalakan ang biyayang ating natatanggap, at palakasin pa natin ang ating kabuhayan. Mabuhay kayong mga magsasaka, mabuhay ang Region 12, mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas!” the president declared, inspiring the ARBs and the community to strive for a better future.
(Let us bring joy to the blessings we receive, and strengthen our livelihood even more. Long live you farmers, long live Region 12, long live the new Philippines!)
The initiative, according to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), aligns with the President’s ongoing commitment to boost agricultural productivity, enhance the net income of farmers, and sustain the livelihood of ARBs.
It also contributes to ensuring food sufficiency and improving the overall economic status of rural communities across the country, it said. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
