BAGUIO CITY – A total of 392 electronic titles (E-titles) covering 431.6 hectares were distributed to 402 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on Friday, July 7.
The distribution, which was held at the Newtown Hotel in this city, was part of the National Simultaneous Certificate of Land Ownership (CLOA) and E-Title Distribution.
Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Director Samuel Solomero led the distribution of certificates to the beneficiaries, 52 in Abra, eight in Apayao, 277 in Benguet, 10 in Ifugao, 36 in Kalinga, and nine in Mountain Province.
DAR also distributed a total of 1,106 land titles to 1,360 ARBs in the Cordillera.
The first distribution of 714 land titles to eligible beneficiaries covering 1,201.8922 hectares and turnover of P30.145 million worth of farm equipment and supplies in the province of Kalinga was personally attended by DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III on June 23.
The distribution was held just as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the transformative New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
This landmark legislation will relieve them of unpaid debts amounting to P57.55 billion for 600,000 ARBs, bringing potential life-changing benefits.
The President highlighted the importance of comprehensive support for farmers, stating, "Free land distribution must go hand-in-hand with broadening the provision of credit facilities and support services in the form of farm inputs, equipment, and facilities to our farmers, as well as the construction of more farm-to-market roads. These efforts will yield more sustainable farms and higher incomes for our farmers."
Solomero emphasized the purpose of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, stating, "Ang batas na ito ay layuning palayain ang mga agrarian reform beneficiaries mula sa pasanin nilang pagkaka utang dahil sa lupang iginawad sa kanila ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng Department of Agrarian Reform (This law aims to free the agrarian reform beneficiaries from the burden of debt incurred through the land awarded to them by the government through the Department of Agrarian Reform).”
The New Agrarian Emancipation Act not only relieves farmers of their debts but also focuses on providing comprehensive support to ensure their long-term success.
This legislation represents a significant step towards empowering farmers and creating a more equitable agricultural sector. With Marcos’ commitment to the welfare of ARBs, the implementation of this act promises a brighter future for Filipino farmers.