President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with Vice President Sara Duterte and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, led the regionwide distribution of electronic land titles (e-titles) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) at the Rizal Memorial Colleges Gymnasium in Davao City today.
In his address to the agrarian reform beneficiaries, President Marcos reiterated his dedication to genuine agrarian reform, emphasizing the need to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers, who remain among the most disadvantaged in the nation.
“Lahat ng tulong na maibibigay ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sektor ay ibibigay namin para maging maganda ang hanapbuhay ng ating mga magsasaka.”
Marcos affirmed, highlighting a comprehensive whole-of-government approach by providing adequate support services in terms of farm-to-market roads, farm machinery and post-harvest facilities.
A total of 2,529 e-titles were distributed, covering approximately 4,659 hectares across the Davao region. Among the recipients are 167 ARBs from Davao City, 1,087 from Davao del Norte, 200 from Davao del Sur, 500 from Davao Oriental, 500 from Davao de Oro, and 218 from Davao Occidental, totaling 2,769 ARBs.
Marcos lauded the efforts of the DAR, under Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, for helping him fulfill his promises with its exemplary performance in 2023, where it exceeded its targets for land distribution and the issuance of land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries. Surpassing the 50,000 target for land distribution, DAR awarded over 90,000 land titles covering 109,229 hectares to more than 98,000 farmers and ARBs nationwide.
Aside from the distribution of e-titles, the ARBs will be given access to various government support services and subsidies to effectively mobilize farm activities and maximize the productivity of their lands.
Also present during the ceremony were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, and other cabinet secretaries of the Marcos Administration.
Looking back on DAR’s remarkable accomplishments in the past year, Estrella reiterated DAR’s commitment to surpassing additional targets and promises an even stronger performance in 2024. Focusing on facilitating land ownership, improving land tenure security, enhancing support services, ensuring agrarian justice, and stabilizing agrarian rights, DAR remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandates to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision of a thriving agricultural nation under Bagong Pilipinas.#
