President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a commitment to finalize the distribution of land titles to farmers under the Agrarian Reform Program before his term concludes in 2028. This initiative holds significant historical importance, as agrarian reform was the first law signed by his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. During a recent event where the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed 3,184 land titles in Mindanao, covering 4,659 hectares of agricultural land in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, President Marcos expressed his determination to fulfill the unfinished work of his ancestors.
President Marcos highlighted the significance of agrarian reform by acknowledging his grandfather, Secretary Conrado Estrella, who served as the Agrarian Reform secretary during the time of his father’s presidency. He emphasized that completing this mission is not only a political responsibility but also a moral obligation to honor the legacy of those who started this journey. “When the campaign ended, we talked, and I told him that our ancestors will haunt us if we don’t finish what they started,” President Marcos added.
In addition to the land titles, representatives of 34,998 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Cagwait and Barobo received certificates of farm-to-market roads. These projects, with a total cost of P194,411,786, aim to improve transportation infrastructure and facilitate the movement of agricultural goods, benefiting local farmers and enhancing the overall agricultural sector.
Since July 2022 until December 2023, the DAR has already awarded titles covering 109,199 hectares of agricultural land nationwide, benefiting 98,203 Agrarian Reform beneficiaries. This progress is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and ensuring their rightful ownership of the lands they cultivate. Furthermore, the DAR Caraga region has set a goal to distribute an additional 10,659 hectares of land to 5,743 Agrarian Reform beneficiaries.
To support the farmers further, President Marcos issued Executive Order 4 in September of last year. This order implemented a one-year moratorium on the payment of amortizations and interest on agrarian debt. The intention behind this action is to alleviate the financial burdens faced by farmers and provide them with an opportunity to strengthen their economic stability.
However, President Marcos acknowledges that the distribution of land titles alone is not enough to achieve true agrarian reform. He recognizes that farmers need to be liberated from debt and relieved of the constraints that hinder their progress. “Agrarian reform remains an unrealized dream because the emancipation of farmers does not end with the receipt of titles declaring ownership over the land they are already tilling. They must be unshackled from debt, freed from the high cost of inputs, and relieved of constraints that impoverish them,” President Marcos stated.
By focusing not only on land distribution but also on addressing the financial challenges faced by farmers, President Marcos demonstrates his commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable agrarian reform program. His efforts aim to empower farmers, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the growth and development of the agricultural sector in the Philippines.
In conclusion, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s dedication to completing the distribution of land titles to farmers under the Agrarian Reform Program is a significant step towards achieving true agrarian reform. By honoring his family’s legacy and recognizing the importance of freeing farmers from debt and constraints, President Marcos is working towards a more equitable and prosperous future for the agricultural sector in the Philippines.
Source: The Manila Times
