There are still 800,000 land titles intended for distribution to agrarian reform beneficiaries until the end of the Marcos administration, a Cabinet official said.
Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said they are eyeing to distribute these land titles until 2028, and he expressed optimism that it is doable.
"Kaya matantiya namin mga 800,000 pa na titulo yung kailangan natin ipamigay hanggang matapos yung term ng ating pangulo (We estimated about 800,000 titles will be given out until the end of the President's term)," Estrella said in an interview in Malacañan on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
"Mukhang magagawa natin. It looks like kaya natin kasi nahanap na namin yung paraan para mapabilis (It looks like we can do it because we were able to find a faster way to do it)," he added.
The DAR chief cited the coordination of agencies dealing with land title distribution, saying they have already agreed to help in expediting the release of titles.
Estrella also said that the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) was "chaotic" in the past which slowed down the distribution process.
He stressed that swifter release and distribution of land titles can lead to increased productivity.
"It became chaotic. So it lessened the productivity," he said.
"But now they already know where they farm. Hence increase of productivity and contributing to our food security program," he added.
He also said it would also increase the local government units' revenue as there are already established owners who would pay taxes.
Make agriculture 'sexy' again
The DAR top official also reiterated the need to attract the young generation to venture into agriculture.
"Lets make agriculture sexy again. We have to encourage the young people to go into it. We lure them by EO (Executive Order) 75," he said.
He noted that through the EO, government owned lands will be given to three priority sectors—retired police and military personnel, rebel returnees, and graduates of four-year agricultural courses.
While he did not mention the exact figures, Estrella said, they have distributed land titles to agriculture-degree graduates.