President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday distributed over 1,000 land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and PhP60 million in financial assistance to needy Bicolanos.
Bringing more good news for the region, the President also announced the completion of seven farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that will benefit the local government units (LGUs) of Camarines Sur.
The President personally handed over PhP10.28 million in cash assistance to the provincial government of Camarines Norte and PhP50 million to Camarines Sur. They were received by Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla and Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte, respectively.
President Marcos also distributed a total of 1,208 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and electronic titles (e-titles) to 1,105 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
Of the figure, 237 CLOAs were awarded to 228 ARBs in Camarines Norte and 971 CLOAs to 877 ARBs in Camarines Sur.
Likewise, the Chief Executive provided over eight completed FMRs or road concreting projects. The recipients were Mayor Weny Sabalbero in Barangay Camagong, Cabusao worth PhP 24,934,000 (0.98 kilometers) and to Mayor Dennis Imperial in Barangay Veneracion, Pamplona worth PhP24,929,000 (1.48 kilometers).
Other recipients were Mayor Christopher Lizardo in Brgy. Sagrada, Minalabac worth PhP24,932,000 (1 kilometer); Mayor Amelita Ibasco in Brgy. San Agustin, Bula worth PhP24,941,000 (1.5 kilometers); and Mayor Nena Bagasbas in Brgy. Laganac, Balatan, Camarines Sur worth PhP24,938,000 (0.62 kilometers).
Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste also received from President Marcos the completed FRM, or road concreting project in Barangay San Antonio worth PhP24,933,000 (0.75 kilometers). Another recipient was Mayor Jesus Camara in Brgy. San Pablo and Brgy. Tarum, Libmanan with total cost of PhP42 million (2 kilometers).
In his speech, President Marcos said the government also distributed equipment such as harvester and transplanter. Fertilizers and other financial and livelihood assistance were awarded to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the country.
“Ito ang mga naging hakbang ng ating administrasyon upang maisulong ang mas maginhawa at mas maunlad na kabuhayan para sa ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at ang inyong mga pamilya,” President Marcos said.
“Makikita ninyo naman na siksik, liglig, at nag-umaapaw ang aming tulong upang kayo’y makabangon mula sa pagsubok na kinakaharap ninyo ngayon,” the Chief Executive added.
Around 80,479 families, or 368,660 individuals from 918 barangays in Bicol were hit by El Niño. As of June 6, the government recorded a total of 11,252.11 hectares of agricultural land in the region affected by the dry spell, resulting in PhP532.87 million in losses.
President Marcos assured Bicolanos the government will leave no one behind in its aid program for El Nino-hit Filipinos.
“Hindi namin hahayaan na harapin ninyo nang nag-iisa ang mga hamon ng El Niño. Nandito kami para patuloy na umagapay sa inyo,” President Marcos told thousands of beneficiaries.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will distribute PhP828,000 in financial assistance to 276 beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program (AKAP). The agency also prepositioned around 40,000 pieces of food packs worth PhP27.22 million for the entire Region.
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will also provide farm equipment, rice and corn seedlings, tractors and loan assistance under its “agri-negosyo program,” President Marcos said.
For its long-term plans, President Marcos said the DA is working on providing farm-to-market roads, expanding farmland and fishponds, and repairing irrigation systems, among other programs to improve agricultural production in Bicol.
He added the DA is pushing for the use of science-based and climate resilient technologies in farming and the construction of the agro-processing facilities in “Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development” areas.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) gave away three Fiber Glass Reinforced Plastic boats.
“Ito po ay ilan lamang sa mga agresibong hakbang na talaga namang itinutulak at inaalok natin sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa ilalim ng administrasyon na ito,” the President said.
Other government services include the distribution of “padyak” to 106 beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) along with the cash payout programs under the agency’s Tupad livelihood program.
As to the distribution of CLOAs and e-titles, President Marcos said he hopes it helped in the realization of the recipients’ dream to own lands and bring more opportunities for them.
“Nang sa gayon ay [mapagtagumpayan ninyo] ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap ninyo — sa pagsubok sa buhay at matupad ang inyong mga pangarap,” the President said.
“Sa tulong ng programang ito at sa bisa ng Republic Act 11953 na ating nilagdaan, hindi na ninyo kakailanganing magbayad ng taunang amortisasyon sa lupang inyong [matatanggap] mula sa pamahalaan,” he added.
President Marcos assured them of the government’s unwavering support by providing them 617 farm machineries and equipment with an estimated cost of PhP20.66 million to ensure they continue cultivating lands. PND
