MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday emphasized his belief in an effective government that connects with its people where they are, rather than requiring local officials to travel to the capital.
“Hindi kailangan na ang lokal na pamahalaan ang pupunta sa Malacañang, dapat ang Malacañang ang lumalapit sa inyo,” the President said, when he distributed a total of 2,867 hectares (28.67 square kilometers) of agricultural lands, farm-to-market roads, and farm machinery and equipment to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Central Visayas Region in a ceremony at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Centre in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
(Two to three days a week, I allocate for these out-of-town visits. Malacañang (the presidential palace) should come to you, not the other way around.)
The distribution ceremony was held at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Centre in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental province.
“Our visit to Dumaguete is part of a nationwide caravan to directly deliver aid and support throughout the archipelago,” Marcos said.
Simultaneous land title distributions were also conducted in other areas of Region VII, benefiting over 3,800 agrarian reform beneficiaries from Bohol, Cebu and Negros Oriental provinces who received certificates of land ownership.
The Department of Agrarian Reform has so far distributed over 15,000 hectares (150 sq. km.) of land to more than 19,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries nationwide, the president said. This accounts for 65 percent of the government’s target of distributing 23,000 hectares (23 sq. km.) this year.
“Today, we celebrate the triumph of our nation and our farmers through the distribution of over 3,800 Certificates of Land Ownership Award covering nearly 3,000 hectares (30 sq. km.) of land here in Region VII,” Marcos stated.
He expressed gratitude to farmers for their unwavering efforts and perseverance in tilling the land under the scorching sun, amidst harsh weather conditions and numerous challenges.
The land distribution reaffirms the government’s commitment to uphold the rights and welfare of farmers, as mandated by the Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act signed earlier.
This law liberated beneficiaries from debt burdens, allowing them to focus entirely on agriculture.
To further support the new landowners, the government is providing nearly P18 million (around US$324,000) worth of farm machinery to over 3,000 beneficiaries in Region VII.
Additionally, P100 million (US$1.8 million) has been allocated for the construction of farm-to-market roads in Negros Oriental, and P34 million (US$612,000) for such roads in Siquijor.
More farm-to-market road projects worth nearly P3 billion (US$54 million) are planned in Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental provinces. (PIA-NCR)
