President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday honored the hard work of farmers as he led the distribution of agricultural and residential land titles to farmer beneficiaries to strengthen tenure security and community support for the agricultural sector.
President Marcos led the awarding of land patents or titles, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Financial Assistance to Farm Laborers and Distribution of Titles” held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
“Nais kong iparating ang taos-puso kong pasasalamat sa inyong lahat—sa ating mga magsasaka at manggagawa na patuloy na nagsusumikap para sa isang masaganang bukas,” the President said.
“Sa araw-araw ninyong hirap at pagod sa pagsasaka, pagtatrabaho, at pagtataguyod sa inyong mga pamilya, nandito ang gobyerno para suportahan at alalayan kayo,” the President assured.
The Chief Executive said the DENR has turned over agricultural and residential free patents and special patents to 455 farmer beneficiaries from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Metro Manila.
“Mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang mga titulo na ito ay pagkilala sa inyong karapatan na magmay-ari ng inyong sariling lupa,” President Marcos said.
Under the Handog Titulo Program, the DENR grants land ownership rights to qualified beneficiaries by issuing patents or titles to public lands for residential or agricultural use to individuals who have occupied and cultivated the lands for many years.
“Layunin ng Handog Titulo Program na palakasin ang partisipasyon ng mamamayan sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan,” the President said.
“Hindi lang kayo o tayo ang makikinabang sa mga benepisyong ito, pati na rin ang mga anak natin at ang mga susunod na henerasyon na Pilipino,” President Marcos added.
The President also said the DENR has turned over deeds of sale to 65 beneficiaries from four barangays in Taguig City.
President Marcos urged the beneficiaries to continue to put the land they now legally own into productive use.
“Gawin ninyong produktibo ang inyong lupain. Gamitin ito nang tama para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino, para sa ating mga komunidad, at para sa kinabukasan ng ating minamahal na Pilipinas. Ang responsableng paggamit ng lupa ay magbubunga ng masaganang pamumuhay para sa ating lahat,” said the President.
President Marcos, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led the distribution of financial assistance of PhP10,000 each to 2,970 farmer beneficiaries and family food packs as additional support to their families.
The DENR also distributed seedlings to the farmers. (PND)
