In recognition of the farmers' vital contribution to ensure the country's food supply, President Marcos led the distribution of 2,867 hectares of agricultural lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Central Visayas Region in a ceremony in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental on Monday, May 20.

In his speech, the President said the event was a testament to the government's commitment to distribute government-owned lands to farmers.

"Ito ay patunay ng ating patuloy at walang-humpay na pagsisikap na tuparin ang aming pangako na kokompletuhin namin ang programang agrarya dito sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas (This is proof of our never-ending efforts to fulfill our promise of completing the agrarian reform program in our beloved Philippines)," he said.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Region VII  said 3,855 ARBs received Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project (Project SPLIT) for agricultural lands located in Bohol, Cebu, and Negros Oriental.

During the event, Marcos also turned over P7.3 million worth of farm machinery and equipment valued to six ARB organizations (ARBOs) under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity and Support Program (CRFPSP). This machinery, consisting of five units of four-wheel tractors and a food dehydrator, is targeted to benefit 1,940 beneficiaries in Negros Oriental.  

"Mas mapapabilis po nito ang inyong mga gawain at mas mapapaunlad natin ang inyong lupang sinasaka (This will speed up your tasks and we can improve the land you are tilling)," he said.

Meanwhile, President Marcos lauded the construction of seven new farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P100 million funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund in Negros Oriental. According to the President, these FMRs will connect farmers to markets, schools, government offices, and different cities and municipalities.

"Lalawak din ang inyong mga mamimili dahil mas malayo na ang mararating ng inyong mga produkto (You will have more customers because your products now cover more areas)," he said.

"Hindi lang natin mapapalaki ang kita at mapapabuti ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, mapapaunlad din natin ang ating mga komunidad (We're not only increasing the sales and improving the livelihood of our farmers, we're also improving our communities)," he added.

According to Malacañang, these initiatives are part of Marcos’ directives to extend the necessary support services to farmers to revitalize the country’s agriculture sector by improving the flow of food supply.