Other Government Release

Department of Agrarian Reform

PBBM rallies gov’t agencies to speed up land distribution



DIPOLOG CITY, May 24, 2024 – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of 4,956 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) covering 7,214.70 hectares of land to around 4,456 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) across the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

The event, held in Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center in this City, marked a significant step towards empowering Filipino farmers by granting them ownership of the land they till.

Among the recipients were Jose Jore, 81 years old from Zamboanga del Sur, Ramon Siocon, 75 years old from Zamboanga del Norte, and Alfredo Bonghanoy from Zamboanga del Sur, 73 years old, who expressed profound gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for fulfilling their long-held dream of land ownership. They pledged to preserve and cultivate the land, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

Addressing the audience at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center, Marcos Jr. commended the DAR for its tireless efforts in expediting land distribution processes. He emphasized the importance of swift action, urging the department to distribute the remaining one million land titles to farmer-beneficiaries before his term concludes.

“Sa ating mga taga-DAR na palagay ko, ‘yung Kalihim ninyo hindi na natutulog, mas lalo pa kayong sigurong hindi natutulog, hindi na rin kumakain dahil naghahabol talaga kami upang matapos ang agrarian reform bago matapos ang aking termino,” Marcos Jr. said.

“Sa ating mga Register of Deeds, ganun din. Sila’y talagang malaking bahagi sa ating mga ginagawa. Sa Land Management Services ng DENR at sa LandBank of the Philippines at maging sa ating mga opisyal ng iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan dito sa Zamboanga, tuloy lang po tayo sa pagkilos at sa pagtutulungan,” Marcos added.

President Marcos Jr. reiterated his directive to accelerate the distribution of titles and services to beneficiaries, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to agrarian reform and rural development.

Since the beginning of President Marcos Jr.’s administration two years ago, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed a total of 8,300 land titles covering 12,000 hectares in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, demonstrating a commitment to uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers.

In his remarks, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III also extended his appreciation to the Register of Deeds for their efficiency in processing land titles. He highlighted the prioritization of agrarian beneficiaries, ensuring they receive rightful ownership of their land promptly.

“Alam niyo po ba na napakaraming titulo ang kailangan nilang i-proseso araw-araw gaya ng sa housing at kung ano-ano pa. Ngunit inuna nila na i-proseso ang titulo ng mga agrarian beneficiaries para maibigay ito sa inyo ngayon,” Estrella said.

Estrella encouraged beneficiaries to maintain trust in the government’s commitment to their welfare, assuring continued support and services to enhance their livelihood under the leadership of President Marcos Jr. He emphasized the administration’s dedication to improving the quality of life for all Filipino farmers.

“Ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang tiwala sa pamahalaan at sa Pangulo. Ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang tiwala sa DAR at marami pa pong ipagkakaloob ang pamahaalan para kayo ay umunlad,” Estrella said.