President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday rallied the entire nation to support farmers and the whole agricultural sector.

During the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) in Pampanga, the President called on stakeholders to strengthen the country’s agriculture.

“Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon din ang aming handog ngayong araw para sa panibagong yugto sa inyong mga buhay, kung saan hindi lamang kayo at ang inyong pamilya ang aasenso—maging ang buong bansa ay kasama ninyo sa inyong tagumpay,” President Marcos said during the event on Thursday.

“Ito po ang aking panawagan: Magkaisa tayo sa pagtatanim ng mga binhi ng pag-asa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

The administration, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), distributed 30 CLOAs to 28 ARBs and 2,939 COCROMs to 2,487 to land reform beneficiaries.

A total of PhP206.38 million in farmers’ debt was condoned, the President said. This includes amortization, interest, and other surcharges.

The government measure aims to boost the agriculture sector and improve the living condition of Filipino farmers, the President pointed out.

“Isa pa ito sa talaga na ating mga layunin. Isang hakbang ito upang pagtibayin pa ang sektor ng agrikultura at matulungan na maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga magsasaka,” he said.

The President recognized Pampanga’s contribution to the nation’s overall development through its major industries — agriculture, specialty food, and food processing.

Pampanga is Central Luzon’s major egg supplier, and accounts for 17.7 percent of the country’s overall egg production.

Through the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program of the government, Pampanga has been supplying eggs to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at jail facilities, the President said.

“Ang programang ito ay isang halimbawa ng magandang pagtutulungan ng pribadong sektor at ng pamahalaan,” he added. | PND