President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the distribution of more than 4,000 electronic titles (e-title) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Region 12.

“Ibabahagi namin sa araw na ito ang lupang matagal na ninyong pinapangarap sa pamamagitan ng mga Certificates of Land Ownership Award at Electronic Titles sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program,” the President said during the ceremonial distribution at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City.

“Mamamahagi rin kami ng mahigit apat na libo at tatlong daang CLOAs at E-Titles sa mga magsasaka hindi lang dito sa South Cotabato kundi maging sa kalapit na Cotabato, Sarangani, at Sultan Kudarat,” Marcos said.

A total of 3,167 e-titles and 1,184 CLOAs were distributed to 4,271 ARBs in South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat. The President said almost 10,700 titles covering more than 18,000 hectares of land have already been distributed in Soccsksargen.

For this year, President Marcos said his administration hopes to distribute an additional 2,000 titles to more than 2,600 farmers in the region. Farmers, according to the President, no longer need to pay for annual fees or amortization for the lands.

“Hindi ito gaya ng nagdaang panahon. Wala na po kayong taunang bayarin o amortisasyon sa lupang ito,” the President said.

“Ang tanging aalahanin na lang po ninyo ay kung papaano gagawing produktibo ang inyong lupa at papaano kayo magkakaroon ng mas maginhawa na buhay para sa inyo at sa inyong mga pamilya,” he added.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said receiving a land title is a tangible manifestation of land tenure security that grants beneficiaries undisputed right to access the land and its associated resources. PND